EXO members Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin, collectively known as EXO-CBX, reportedly served as guarantors for investment funds received by their former agency, INB100, which has also been accused of failing to pay the trio their earnings.
According to a November 8th report by Sports Kyunghyang, INB100, headed by Cha Ga Won, obtained joint and several guarantees from its artists in connection with advance investment funds secured from outside investors in 2024. Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin were the agency’s only artists.
The funds were intended to finance activities such as concerts and album production. Under a joint and several guarantee, the guarantors may be held personally liable for repayment if the primary borrower fails to meet its obligations, depending on the terms of the agreement.
The revelations come amid financial scrutiny of INB100 and its affiliated companies.
INB100 received a disclaimer of opinion from its external auditor this year after management failed to provide essential financial documents, including financial statements, accompanying notes and written representations. The lack of documentation prevented auditors from obtaining sufficient evidence to issue an opinion.
Its parent company, ONE HUNDRED, and fellow subsidiary Big Planet Made Entertainment received similar disclaimers for their 2025 audits, also due to missing financial records.
Meanwhile, EXO-CBX’s exclusive contracts with INB100 remain suspended following a court ruling in September.
On September 15th, the Seoul Central District Court granted the trio’s request for a preliminary injunction, finding that INB100 had failed to pay earnings owed under their contracts.
The court determined that the agency’s failure to fulfill its payment obligations had caused a breakdown of trust between the two parties. The suspension will remain in effect until a first-instance ruling is issued in the underlying lawsuit.
Separately, ONE HUNDRED chairwoman Cha Ga Won is standing trial on fraud charges involving 24.2 billion won (approximately $17 million) in advance payments received from entertainment platform company Knowmerce.
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