After multiple denials from SM Entertainment, a member of the company's boy band EXO announced further steps towards a career as a soloist in China.

On July 10, the official Weibo account of K-pop idol Huang Zi Tao (also known as Z.Tao or Tao) announced an upcoming Chinese release by the singer. The singer's departure from K-pop group EXO has been unconfirmed for months and SM Entertainment announced in June that the company is still in talks with Tao regarding his future in the Korean entertainment industry. 

On July 13 Tao will take steps to his solo career, according to an image shared on his official Weibo.

"July 13, Z.Tao coming soon," read the caption. "Huang Zi Tao's fresh voice will captivate you."

Since April of this year, SM Entertainment has continually denied and countered claims that EXO's Tao (Huang Zi Tao) has left the K-pop group at the urging of his family. In June, Tao set up a personal studio in China and images published on his official Weibo account show him in a recording studio.

Tao debuted as a member of the then 12-member K-pop act EXO in 2012, as one of six members who made up the Mandarin subgroup EXO-M. 

In 2014, two members of EXO-M, Kris (Wu Yi Fan) and Luhan filed lawsuits against SM Entertainment and left EXO to pursue careers in China. Rumors regarding Tao's alleged departure followed their actions, and his last appearance with EXO was during promotions of their song "Call Me Baby" in March. 

---