What a great clamor that was, but EXO-M former members Kris and Luhan did enticed fans to cheer them on Sunday, February 8, when they both attended CCTV Spring Festival Gala's rehearsal. The two singers met for a brief moment, but still the hash tag, #KRISHANDAY, about them trended worldwide. Is this a sign that they get strong support amid lawsuits filed by SM Entertainment against them?
The two stars have ceased fulfilling any engagements as SM's talents since last year and proceed to nullifying their contracts. So far and after several mediations, both camps of singers and SM failed to settle at Seoul Central District Court on February 6, according to allkpop.com. Meanwhile the Korean multi-company that also handles stars Girls' Generation, Super Junior, BOA, and Kangta, also filed separate Breach of Contract cases versus Kris and Luhan in China.
"Korean SM Entertainment as the legal agency of EXO's former members Kris and Luhan has formally filed official lawsuits against companies that have been using Luhan and Kris, who are currently pursuing activities illegally, as advertisement models. Our lawsuit was formerly accepted into Chinese courts in 2015 February 4th. We have taken this action to prevent Kris and Luhan from further pursuing their activities in an illegal manner and to prohibit further damages," an excerpt of SM Entertainment's official statement .
In response to his talent management company in Korea, Luhan's camp also released a statement clarifying issues thrown against him, specifically SM's accusation of copyright infringement.
"Although SM Entertainment argued, 'Luhan is behaving however he wants and doing activities in China,' and filed a lawsuit through Shanghai Court, according to jurisdiction rules, SM has no right to file a lawsuit regarding the exclusive contract via any Chinese court; Shanghai Court, of course, has no jurisdiction over this issue.
"According to our investigations, SM Entertainment is suing Luhan and advertisers for copyright infringement. However, SM did not reveal this reason to the public. SM Entertainment's statement that they made to the media provokes misunderstandings.
"We are aware that SM Entertainment is suing Luhan regarding his exclusive contract; in their statement, they said, 'Without sufficient reason, Kris and Luhan left the group without a notice and, as soon as they gained fame with the group's name, they ignored the contract, trust, and morals, and only pursued personal profit.' With this malicious statement, SM intended to taint Luhan's image.
"Our side will protect Luhan's rights through every legal means by responding to the reports that damaged Luhan's honor and the truth," the statement of Luhan's camp.
Meantime, the CCTV's 5-hour Spring Festival Gala, where both Kris and Luhan are part of performers, will air on February 18 starting at 8 p.m.
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