EXO-CBX has scored a major legal victory in its ongoing dispute with agency INB100.
The Seoul Central District Court granted a preliminary injunction requested by members Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin on September 15th,, effectively suspending their exclusive contracts with the company.
Under the ruling, the contracts will remain on hold while the court considers a broader lawsuit seeking to permanently invalidate them. In the meantime, INB100 is barred from signing deals on the group’s behalf, forcing them into unwanted promotional work or interfering with their independent projects.
The court noted that “INB100 was obligated to pay settlement money under the contract when income was generated from CBX’s entertainment activities, but has not done so to date,” adding that “the trust relationship between the parties has been broken for reasons attributable to INB100”. Beyond the financial fallout, the judge expressed concern that a dragged-out court battle could permanently derail the group’s careers. The court warned that preventing them from working “poses a risk of seriously infringing upon CBX’s constitutional rights, including their freedom to choose their occupation and carry out professional activities, beyond the economic aspects of the contractual relationship”.
CBX first notified INB100 of their intent to break off the agreement back in March and April, citing unpaid contract fees and missing settlements. When the agency failed to resolve those claims, the artists took the matter to court on August 18th. INB100 did not show up or submit any response during the injunction hearing on September 7th, leaving the judge to rule without them. A date for the main lawsuit’s first trial has yet to be scheduled.
Baekhyun originally founded INB100 in June 2023, but it was later acquired by One Hundred Label—a company launched by CEO Cha Ga Won. Cha, a former real estate developer who co-founded the label alongside singer MC Mong, is currently facing severe legal trouble of her own. She was arrested and indicted in August on $22 million (30 billion won) fraud charges, with her trial set for October 13th. MC Mong had already cut ties with the company the previous July following an internal dispute.
EXO-CBX isn’t alone in trying to walk away. Several other high-profile artists under One Hundred Label and its subsidiary sub-labels—including Lee Seung Gi, Lee Mu Jin, and members of THE BOYZ—have reportedly served notice to terminate their contracts over similar unpaid settlement claims.
>> SM Entertainment Claims $1.8 Million From EXO-CBX, Moves to Seize Members’ Homes
In the meantime, watch trending K-dramas for free on Amasian TV.
Source (1)
