On May 16, EXO member Baekhyun‘s agency, INB100, was acquired by ONE HUNDRED, sparking controversy among fans and netizens.
The timing of this acquisition is particularly contentious due to Baekhyun, along with fellow EXO members Xiumin and Chen, being involved in a legal battle with their former agency, SM Entertainment, over “slave contracts.” This legal dispute has been a hot topic, with many eyes on the outcome and the motivations behind it.
ONE HUNDRED, co-founded by rapper and producer MC Mong, is the parent company of Big Planet Made, which houses SHINee’s Taemin, another former SM artist.
The acquisition has led to speculation about Baekhyun’s true motives, with some suggesting that his legal actions against SM Entertainment were influenced by ties to Big Planet Made. This has fueled rumors and suspicions about the nature of Baekhyun’s decisions and the integrity of his actions.
During their legal feud with SM Entertainment, there were allegations that Big Planet Made was attempting to recruit Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen, and had possibly instigated the lawsuit.
Big Planet Made denied these accusations, claiming MC Mong’s meetings with the EXO members were personal. Despite this, the acquisition has led some netizens to believe that there were ulterior motives at play.
Social media has been rife with mixed reactions. Some comments accuse Baekhyun of deceit and betrayal towards SM Entertainment, while others believe his actions were justified.
Remarks like “Did they deny their relations during the feud with SM? The truth has finally come out” and “Wow, so Baekhyun was lying all along… Where’s the shame?” reflect the skepticism and disappointment among some fans.
The situation highlights the often complex and contentious relationships between K-pop idols and their management agencies. As the K-pop community watches the saga unfold, the impact on Baekhyun’s reputation and future endeavors remains uncertain.
Both INB100 and ONE HUNDRED have yet to address the backlash publicly. The next developments in this ongoing story are highly anticipated.
