EXO Baekhyun Faces Backlash as INB100 Merges with ONE HUNDRED —Here's Why
On May 16, it was reported that EXO member Baekhyun's self-established agency, INB100, has been acquired by music production company ONE HUNDRED.
The acquisition has stirred controversy among fans and netizens alike, particularly due to the recent legal disputes involving Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen with their former agency, SM Entertainment.
(Photo : theqoo)
ONE HUNDRED, co-founded by rapper and producer MC Mong, is the parent company of the entertainment agency Big Planet Made.
(Photo : theqoo)
Big Planet Made is notably home to SHINee's Taemin, another artist formerly under SM Entertainment.
INB100, founded by EXO Baekhyun will join as a subsidiary under ONE HUNDRED which currently houses both BPM Entertainment (Big Planet Made) and Million Market also as subsidiary labels
INB100 is home to EXO members Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiuminhttps://t.co/DlYkguaYJS— 파룬 (@balloon_wanted) May 16, 2024
The news of the acquisition has fueled ongoing rumors and suspicions regarding Baekhyun's motives and actions.
how im supposed to feel about this????? 😫😫😫😫😫😫
— 🍓 (@jetaimeebbh) May 16, 2024
Earlier this year, Baekhyun, along with fellow EXO members Xiumin and Chen, accused SM Entertainment of enforcing "slave contracts" and sought legal action against the agency.
"He directly brought up issues in the contracts signed up until now and requested amendments to unfavorable terms for the members. In the end, SM had to fully accept this…"
— US EXO-L UNION (@USEXOLUNION) October 24, 2023
"Thanks to Baekhyun’s intervention, SM Entertainment’s contracts have been revised for all artists under… pic.twitter.com/LaezNz55jw
During this period, there were allegations that Big Planet Made was attempting to recruit the three members and had instigated the lawsuit against SM Entertainment.
Big Planet Made had previously denied these accusations, stating that MC Mong only met with the EXO members for personal reasons.
READ MORE: EXO D.O. Is Once Again Asked To Show His Abs & Here's His Savage Reply: 'If the Time Comes...' However, the acquisition of INB100 by ONE HUNDRED has reignited these suspicions.
hmmm should've stayed independent for awhile imo (unless they were never really independent cause it's really looking like it) https://t.co/bs76zoOJWK
— 리나 (@jangdaehyeonie) May 16, 2024
Some netizens are now questioning the integrity of Baekhyun and the other EXO members, suggesting that their legal battle with SM Entertainment was influenced by their connections with Big Planet Made.
This skepticism is reflected in numerous comments on social media, where users have expressed their doubts and frustrations.
bc weirdly enough why was the 100 in their name...
— 리나 (@jangdaehyeonie) May 16, 2024
One comment read, "Did they deny their relations during the feud with SM? The truth has finally come out." Another user wrote, "Wow, so Baekhyun was lying all along... Where's the shame?" Others accused Baekhyun of betraying SM Entertainment, with one stating, "As expected, so Baekhyun did betray SM."
The controversy underscores the complex and often contentious nature of the relationships between K-pop idols and their management agencies.
Hahaha 🤣
— INB100💎CEO Baekhyun (@Candyy_Baekhyun) May 16, 2024
Baekhyun's INB100 is an independent label with association with "One hundred" to break into the global Kpop market specially in the USA.
Pann admin can't even read 😭 https://t.co/HM7PkR63zU pic.twitter.com/fC0TcFL2CD
While some fans continue to support Baekhyun and his colleagues, believing in their claims against SM Entertainment, others feel disillusioned by the recent developments and question the authenticity of their actions.
the thing is one hundred isn't going to takeover INB100 management, rather than that it's more like strategic partnership to help a baby company to grow while providing high quality content and production..
— ✴︎ (@THEKyoongakgae) May 16, 2024
anyway, always trust and support CEO Baekhyun❤️ pic.twitter.com/Yd1ZaZqygg
As the situation unfolds, the impact on Baekhyun's reputation and future endeavors remains uncertain.
No darling... Baekhyun's INB100 is still an independent company who's target is to break in the global market specially in USA with joint venture with one hundred.
You didn't read the article... did you? https://t.co/g3fVwoZlh0 pic.twitter.com/kgbQxazamf— INB100💎CEO Baekhyun (@Candyy_Baekhyun) May 16, 2024
Both INB100 and ONE HUNDRED have yet to issue official statements addressing the backlash.
In the meantime, the K-pop community watches closely, eager to see how this latest chapter in the ongoing saga will play out.
ALSO READ: EXO DO Faces Backlash for Being 'Greedy' - What Happened?
KpopStarz owns this article
Written by Cassidy Jones
