Lately, the EXO members have been making headlines due to a string of contractual disagreements with their managing label, SM Entertainment. The controversy surrounding these contractual disputes has caused quite an uproar in the K-pop world.

Earlier this year, in June, three EXO band members — Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen — contended with purported issues concerning their income and consequently issued a contract termination notice to SM Entertainment. Over the ensuing months, these band members were engaged in contentious negotiations with the label. Fortunately, the three band members decided to remain with SM after reportedly resolving their disagreements with the entertainment company.

Further controversy arose on October 17 when reports surfaced that Sehun and Chanyeol, also members of EXO, had decided to branch out independently and pursue solo careers under the auspices of a different agency, diverging from SM Entertainment.

According to the latest development, the EXO members will continue to promote with SM Entertainment for group activities, but under the new revised contract, the members will be able to promote solo activities with another label if they choose to do so.

With news regarding EXO members' contractual issues with SM constantly being reported, K-netizens are discussing the departure of the first EXO member from SM Entertainment after the expiration of his ten-year contract.

Lay was the first member to have left SM Entertainment after his contract expired back in 2022.

K-netizens gathered in a popular online community, theqoo, to talk about the first EXO member to legitimately leave the agency after a contract expiration. 

Netizens commented, "He didn't leave the group, he didn't file any lawsuit against SM, he didn't commit any crimes, and he had no controversy in his private life. He filled his 10-year contract and left after contract expiration," "He wasn't part of almost all the EXO activities though," "So are people saying what he did was good?" "He only filled the time left on the contract, he didn't do any activities with the group though," "He says he's still friends with EXO," "He was busy promoting solo in China, so he didn't even promote with the group," "What do you mean he had no issues? He didn't promote with the group even when his contract hadn't expired," and "Why didn't he promote with the group?"