Xiumin, a former EXO member, has recently found himself at the center of controversy after his agency, One Hundred, claimed that KBS’s “Music Bank” refused to allow his appearance. According to One Hundred, the broadcasting company has consistently ignored their attempts to schedule Xiumin’s comeback stage, allegedly due to his connection with SM Entertainment. The company further stated that KBS unofficially informed them that artists from One Hundred could not perform on the same stage as SM artists.
This issue gained traction because of the long-standing history of SM Entertainment allegedly blacklisting artists who left the company under unfavorable circumstances. Xiumin, along with Baekhyun and Chen, previously sued SM over their contract terms. Though they later reached a settlement, tensions remain high. One Hundred argues that Xiumin is facing unfair treatment, as his exclusion from music shows appears to be an extension of these unresolved conflicts.
KBS, on the other hand, denied these allegations, stating that they had no such policy in place and that the decision was unrelated to SM Entertainment. However, many fans and industry observers remain skeptical, citing past incidents where SM was accused of using its influence to control broadcasting opportunities for its former artists.
Korean Reactions
Many Korean fans expressed disappointment in Xiumin’s career decisions, believing that he should have anticipated such difficulties when he left SM. Some comments reflect skepticism towards One Hundred’s claims, while others believe Xiumin’s new agency handled the situation poorly.
“There were so many agencies to choose from, why did he pick that one? His image was great before this.” (👍 288)
“If I were in charge at KBS, I would prioritize SM artists over him too. It’s not even a question.” (👍 27)
“This isn’t surprising. EXO’s past members have had contract disputes before, and now they’re facing the consequences.” (👍 221)
On the other hand, some fans argue that KBS should not be blocking Xiumin simply because of SM’s influence. They worry about the implications for other artists who may want to leave major agencies in the future.
“If this is true, it’s blatant abuse of power. A broadcasting company shouldn’t take sides in industry disputes.” (👍 22)
“SM has done this since the JYJ days. This is why artists are afraid to leave big labels.” (👍 45)
Source : Nate Comments
International Reactions
Unlike Korean fans, international fans overwhelmingly believe SM is behind this issue. Many reference the case of JYJ (former TVXQ members) as proof that SM has a history of blocking former artists from promotions.
“SM has been blacklisting artists for decades. This isn’t new, and KBS is just playing along as always.” (👍 363)
“This reminds me of what they did to Jaejoong, who was banned from TV for over a decade after leaving SM.” (👍 155)
“The fact that Xiumin’s comeback is getting attention because of this scandal is just sad. He deserves better.” (👍 389)
Some fans, however, urge caution in assuming SM is at fault, noting that Baekhyun and Chen previously performed on KBS without issue.
“I need more proof. Both Baekhyun and Chen appeared on KBS last year. Why would it be different now?” (👍 10)
“Not every artist gets to perform on music shows. This might not be about SM at all.” (👍 6)
Source : Reddit Comments
Korean and International Reactions Compared
One of the biggest differences in reactions comes down to how each side views SM Entertainment’s influence.
Korean fans tend to focus on Xiumin’s career decisions and see this as an inevitable consequence of leaving SM on bad terms.
International fans overwhelmingly believe this is another case of SM’s control over the industry, drawing direct comparisons to past incidents.
Additionally, Korean comments reflect a more pragmatic approach, suggesting that Xiumin’s agency should have expected this difficulty and strategized better. Meanwhile, international fans are more likely to criticize the power dynamics in K-pop, emphasizing that artists should be able to leave agencies without fear of career repercussions.
While KBS and SM have denied any wrongdoing, this incident highlights the long-standing issue of industry power struggles. Whether or not SM directly influenced KBS, the public perception alone is enough to raise concerns about how much control major agencies have over artists’ careers, even after they leave.
