Tao Communicates With Fans For The 1st Time Since Alleged Departure From EXO

Two words, filled with feeling.

On April 26, EXO member Tao took to Weibo and left a message to fans for the first time since his father told the media that Tao would be leaving EXO due to health reasons. The message was short and sweet, and came amidst countless rumors surround Tao and EXO.

"I'm sorry. [I'm] Thankful," wrote Tao.

The post is the first communication directly from Tao since Chinese media reported his pending departure from SM Entertainment's popular idol group EXO on April 22. The reports were based on a letter published by Tao's father on Weibo, and then reportedly confirmed by his father in an interview with Sina, a Chinese news source.

According to Tao's father, Tao is leaving the group at his parents' request and concern for the idol's health following several injuries. Tao's father's letter also expressed issued with SM Entertainment's management of Tao's recovery and business matters.

SM Entertainment commented following the publication of the letter, asking Tao and his father to meet the company for discussions, but did not confirm the news that Tao formally left EXO.

Despite the impending departure of Tao from EXO, Tao's Weibo still links to EXO's official fanclub page, EXO-L, and Tao's personal Instagram account is still full of pictures of Tao with other EXO members.

Tao made a comeback as part of EXO in March with "Call Me Baby," but was unable to participate in all of the promotions due to his injury.

EXO is currently promoting with eight members, minus Tao and Lay, who is promoting in China and also surrounded by departure rumors.

Tao is the third member of EXO to leave the group since the debut of EXO in 2012. Former members Kris (Wu Yi Fan) and Luhan left the group in 2014 and have since pursued careers in China.  After the departures, SM Entertainment issued a statement claiming that outside factors were enticing the Chinese members of EXO to pursue careers in China.

The Weibo post was liked by over 46,000 people within 35 minutes of being posted on Weibo on April 26.

Tags
tao
EXO
Weibo
Join the Discussion

Latest Photo Gallery

Real Time Analytics