EXO-CBX Takes Legal Action Against INB100 Amid CEO’s Detention
The K-pop world is buzzing once again as EXO members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, collectively known as the popular sub-unit EXO-CBX, have taken significant legal action against their agency, INB100. This development signals a deepening rift and has fans closely watching the unfolding drama, which involves high stakes and surprising revelations.
The Hearing and INB100’s Absence
On September 7th, the Seoul Central District Court’s Civil Agreement Division 50 held a pivotal hearing for the provisional injunction petition filed by EXO-CBX. The petition aims to suspend the effect of their exclusive contracts with INB100. In a truly unexpected turn, the hearing reportedly concluded in less than 10 minutes, primarily because INB100’s representative did not appear. Adding to the mystery, INB100 has maintained a consistently non-responsive stance, failing to submit any written materials to the court since the initial injunction petition was filed.
EXO-CBX’s legal team provided a startling explanation for the agency’s absence, stating that INB100 CEO Cha Ga Won “has been detained and has not been reachable since the injunction petition.” This revelation points to a much larger and more complex issue underlying INB100’s silence and the ongoing legal dispute.
Beyond the Injunction: A Void Contract?
In addition to the provisional injunction petition, EXO-CBX is understood to have initiated a main lawsuit. This core legal action seeks official confirmation that their exclusive contracts with INB100 are null and void. If the court grants the provisional injunction, the effectiveness of these contracts would be temporarily suspended until a first trial verdict is reached in the main lawsuit, offering a potential reprieve for Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin.
The Roots of the Dispute
INB100 was initially founded by Baekhyun himself in June 2023. It later joined as a subsidiary of CEO Cha Ga Won’s company, One Hundred, in May of the following year. However, a series of controversies surrounding CEO Cha Ga Won began to emerge, leading EXO-CBX to notify INB100 of their contract termination last April. The group cited crucial reasons for their decision, including alleged unpaid settlement payments and other unresolved issues.
CEO Cha Ga Won’s Extensive Legal Troubles
The legal woes of CEO Cha Ga Won extend far beyond this contractual dispute. She is currently suspected of being involved in a large-scale fraud case. It is alleged that she received a substantial advance payment after proposing and signing a contract with Nomus Co., Ltd. for the use of intellectual property (IP) of artists belonging to her agency. However, she reportedly failed to actually carry out the business as promised. The estimated damages from this incident are staggering, amounting to approximately ₩30.0 billion KRW (about $22.3 million USD).
As a direct consequence of these accusations, CEO Cha Ga Won was indicted and subsequently detained last month. Her first trial is currently scheduled for the 13th of next month. This complex web of severe legal troubles for INB100’s CEO appears to be the primary catalyst for the current contractual dispute with EXO-CBX, leaving fans and industry observers to ponder the future of Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin amidst these challenging circumstances.
