In an online community, former SNSD Jessica is being mentioned after EXO Baekhyun announced his plans to open his own label while continuing to promote in his group.

EXO Baekhyun Reveals Plans To Establish Own Company, SM Entertainment Denies Agreement

Earlier on August 8, EXO Baekhyun made a live broadcast, clarifying various rumors about him related to his relationship with SM, Chairman Cha and MC Mong, as well as confirmed reports that the's planning to open own company.

During the live, Baekhyun announced that he plans to launch a company, One Signature (tentative name), along with choreographer Kasper, that will house and train dancers and choreographers.

ALSO READ: EXO Baekhyun to Establish Own Company — What Will Happen To His Group Activities?

Along with this, the idol hinted at his plan to open another agency, that will most likely handle his solo idol activities.

At the time, Baekhyun attested to fans that he will continue to promote as an EXO member, and claimed that SM Entertainment also agreed with this idea.

On August 9 then, SM released its official position saying that Baekhyun, including his co-EXO-CBX Chen and Xiumin, will remain in the company as their contracts are still valid.

In fact, Baekhyun's contract will end in January 2024, and prior to this, he's also preparing for a solo album release set on this year.

However, SM denied that they are aware of the idol's plan of establishing his own company, saying:

"We haven't heard anything about it and we only learned about it through an article. It's embarrassing, but we believe that the mutual agreement will be kept."

Former SNSD Jessica Mentioned Amid EXO Baekhyun's Contract, Business Fiasco With SM

Amid this controversy, K-pop fans recalled one former SM artist that overlapped with the current situation of Baekhyun - none other than Jessica Jung.

Prior to departure from SM and SNSD, Jessica Jung also decided to open her own company, Blanc & Eclare, whilst expressing her desire to continue being with the group.

However, in 2014 she was "kicked out" of the group due to alleged conflicts between her business schedule and group activities. There are claims that Jessica disregarded the team's rehearsals and meetings, due to her schedule for her fashion line, leading to members' discord.

The former K-pop idol also indirectly confirmed this through her books, "Bright" and "Shine."

Now, there are speculations Baekhyun will end up in the same fate as Jessica, given that SM already denied that they agreed to the opening of his business.

In a popular forum, netizens have mixed reactions on the situation.

• "I don't know if I wasn't the only one who felt it, but isn't EXO Baekhyun's case better because it's near the end of his contract period? I remember that Jessica fell in love while promoting, didn't participate in their concert practice and left all sorts of shit."
• "Baekhyun hasn't released a novel yet, so let's see."
• "Isn't it disrespectful to mention two idols with different cases? Baekhyun didn't leave EXO, Jessica left. Baekhyun cared for his members. Jessica cursed at her members in a book. That's the difference."

• "That's right. It's similar. But personally, I don't understand Baekhyun who made the same decision despite seeing what happened to his seniors."
• "That's right. This is exactly how it went out. Honestly, if Jessica wasn't kicked out at the time, I think her case would be similar to Baekhyun's. It could help her image that she doesn't want to give up on the group. These days, the life span of idols increases, so it's easy to continue the group activities."
• "I just know that both of them are a nuisance to their teams."

READ MORE: Reporter Criticized Jessica Jung's Novel 'Aiming' at SNSD— Here's What Happened

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Written by Eunice Dawson.