Former EXO member Kris, who is now professionally known as Wu Yifan, is apparently finding it hard to look for an agency to sign with in China. This was according to Korean tabloid Sports DongA, via Allkpop.
Kris filed a lawsuit against EXO's record label SM Entertainment in May and has since returned to China. It has been over five months since but according to the report, the former idol has not yet found an agency to handle his career.
It was also reported that the Canadian-Chinese artist had gone to YUEHUA Entertainment, but had been turned down. Later on, he was reportedly in talks and was on the verge of signing with Hwai Brothers, another known entertainment label in China. However, it seems this is not the case, either.
Reports claim Wu Yifan had met with a representative from the agency but the two parties apparently did not have a deal.
According to the report, agencies are not willing to sign on with Wu Yifan because of his image as a "deserter." Also, Chinese agencies are concerned they might lose their investments and partnerships with those in the Korean entertainment industry.
The report noted that YUEHUA is working with Korea agency Pledis Entertainment and has agreed on a film project with the producer of Korean drama "You Who Came from the Stars." Pledis Entertainment idol girl group After School and male idol group NU'EST.
Hwai Brothers, on the other hand, is working with Starhaus Entertainment, who handles Lee Min Ho. The company is also reportedly having a big investment in the movie "Mister Go" featuring Girls' Generation's Taeyeon's "Bye" as OST.
Kris has started solo activities in China despite having no agency, KpopStars reports. He has been cast in two upcoming films and released "Time Boils The Rain."
Meanwhile, after Luhan's filing of lawsuit, YUEHUA disclosed to Sina, "That has nothing to do with us. SM Entertainment is a model from which we must learn. We will likewise raise and create excellent celebrities with diligence."
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