The Breaking Point: EXO-CBX Files for Contract Termination from ONE HUNDRED Amid Agency Chaos

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry, Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin—collectively known as EXO-CBX—have officially filed for the termination of their exclusive contracts with ONE HUNDRED, the parent corporation of their label INB100. This development, emerging in April 2026, marks the trio as the latest high-profile artists to flee the embattled company led by CEO Cha Ga-won and producer MC Mong.

The decision to sever ties comes amidst a “horror” of legal and financial instability surrounding ONE HUNDRED. With reports of unpaid settlements, insufficient management support, and a burgeoning police investigation into the CEO, the “sturdy foundation” that was promised to these veteran idols has completely crumbled. For fans who have followed the “long game” of CBX’s quest for independence, this is a “full circle” moment that highlights the volatile nature of the “behind the scenes” entertainment business.

A House of Cards: The Rapid Collapse of ONE HUNDRED

Just a year ago, ONE HUNDRED was seen as an “infinite expansion” project, rapidly acquiring subsidiaries like Big Planet Made (BPM) and INB100. It aimed to become a “savior” for established artists seeking more creative transparency and better financial terms. However, by early 2026, the “digital veil” began to slip, revealing a “distorted” reality of mismanagement.

The exodus began with Taemin, followed swiftly by nine members of THE BOYZ, Viviz, Lee Seung-gi, and Lee Mu-jin. All cited similar “red flag” issues: unpaid settlement money, failure to cover essential activity costs, and arrears in payments to the very staff members who keep their careers running. For EXO-CBX, whose initial move to INB100 was rooted in a desire for “transparency” after their public dispute with SM Entertainment, finding themselves in a similar “rắc rối” (trouble) under ONE HUNDRED has been a profound betrayal of trust.

The CEO Risk: Fraud Allegations and Police Raids

The catalyst for this latest wave of terminations was the news on April 8, 2026, that police had conducted a search and seizure at ONE HUNDRED’s headquarters. CEO Cha Ga-won is currently embroiled in a “horror” of criminal complaints alleging fraud. He is suspected of using his artists’ intellectual property (IP) as leverage to secure advance payments for joint ventures that he allegedly never intended to fulfill.

For Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, the “truth” of the situation became impossible to ignore. A label that cannot guarantee the safety of its artists’ IP or the stability of its own leadership is no longer a viable home. By filing for termination, CBX is signaling that they will not let their “Golden Child” status be used as collateral in a “clash of empires” involving fraudulent business practices.

Protecting the EXO Brand: A Pact with the Fans

Despite the legal turmoil, EXO-CBX remains committed to their “sturdy foundation”: the fans and the EXO group identity. Throughout 2025, the trio made a public “pact” to ensure that their personal legal battles would not hinder EXO’s group activities. They even cleared their December 2025 schedules to prioritize a year-end comeback, showing a level of “pretty” dedication that few other artists manage amidst such chaos.

However, the “infinite” stress of being under a label facing police scrutiny has reached a breaking point. By seeking independence from ONE HUNDRED, the members are acting as their own “saviors.” They are looking to protect their solo careers and their ability to participate in the promised 2026 EXO full album comeback without the “horror” of their earnings being seized or their reputation being tarnished by the “red flags” of their current management.

The “Pearl Aqua” Hope: What Lies Ahead for CBX?

As the trio sends their certified letters of termination, the industry is watching to see where they will land next. There is a “Pearl Aqua” colored hope among fans that Baekhyun will once again take the “long game” into his own hands, perhaps returning INB100 to its roots as a truly independent entity, free from the “distorted” influence of larger conglomerates.

The primary goals for CBX in this new legal phase are: First, securing full “transparency” of their settlement data from ONE HUNDRED to ensure all unpaid debts are recovered. Second, regaining total control over their individual and unit branding to prevent any further IP exploitation. Third, maintaining their “full circle” commitment to EXO activities, which are still managed in a hybrid mode with SM Entertainment.

The Race for True Independence

The story of EXO-CBX and ONE HUNDRED is a cautionary tale about the “infinite expansion” of entertainment labels that lack a “sturdy foundation” of integrity. For Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, the “rắc rối” of the last year has been a test of their resilience. They have proven that they are not just “Face Genius” idols, but savvy professionals who understand the “long game” of their own worth.

As they move to terminate their contracts, they are stripping away the “digital veil” of a failing agency and stepping into a new era of self-determination. The “horror” of the current situation is significant, but the “truth” is that these three artists have a bond with their fans that is more “sturdy” than any corporate contract. Whether they find a new “savior” in a different agency or choose to navigate the “infinite” possibilities of true independence, EXO-CBX is burning bright, and they are doing it on their own terms. The race for their future has just begun, and the world is watching to see how this “Golden Child” trio will redefine the “pretty” resilience of K-pop once again.