According to reports on April 10, Baekhyun, along with fellow EXO-CBX members Chen and Xiumin, formally notified INB100 CEO Cha Ga Won of their intention to terminate their exclusive contracts at the end of March. The three cited unresolved issues, including unpaid earnings and contract violations, and asked for clarification. However, even after the two-week response period, they reportedly did not receive a satisfactory explanation.
INB100 was originally founded by Baekhyun as he prepared to operate independently from SM Entertainment. In May 2024, the company was absorbed into a larger structure under One Hundred, a label co-founded by Cha Ga Won and MC Mong. Following the acquisition, Cha Ga Won became the largest shareholder, overseeing INB100 alongside affiliated labels such as Big Planet Made Entertainment.
The controversy intensified when reports revealed that despite securing large-scale deals using EXO-CBX’s intellectual property and receiving upfront payments worth hundreds of billions of won, the company reportedly fell into a complete capital devaluation. It is also alleged that tens of billions of won in compensation owed to artists has gone unpaid. Additionally, payments to external partners and staff were reportedly delayed, making normal promotional activities difficult for artists.
In response, Cha Ga Won’s side said efforts are underway to stabilize the company, including seeking further investment or injecting personal funds to resolve the situation. Baekhyun and EXO-CBX aren’t the only artists taking action. Several high-profile figures previously affiliated with Cha Ga Won’s network, including members of THE BOYZ, Taemin, Lee Mujin, BE’O, VIVIZ, and Lee Seung-gi, have also reportedly terminated their contracts and left.
The situation surrounding Cha Ga Won has further worsened as he is currently facing three fraud-related lawsuits. The charges suggest he secured large upfront payments through deals that used artists’ intellectual property, but failed to follow through on commercial transactions. Authorities are reportedly investigating the cases collectively.
Sources: Daum | The fact
