SM Entertainment Establishes New Company To Promote EXO Member Lay In China

A new branch of a Korean entertainment company in China will put a stop to rumors of further exits from idol group EXO.

On April 8, SM Entertainment revealed that it had set up a company in China devoted to one of its singers, EXO member Lay. Lay, a Chinese member of EXO, signed an exclusive contract with SM Entertainment to work with the so-called "Lay Workshop" in order to progress in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Lay Workshop will work closely with Lay in order to pursue his career in China as he desires.

The announcement puts a solid stop to rumors abounding regarding further departures of Chinese members from EXO, after the departure of two Chinese members in 2014.

Both remaining Chinese members of EXO, Lay and Tao, have faced issues with EXO's comeback latest promotional cycle, resulting in speculation about the future of the pair in Korean idol group EXO.  

Due to filming in China, Lay was unable to attend several performances, while Tao was hurt earlier in 2015 and intermittently made appearances with EXO while taking care of his injury.

Following the departure of Kris (Wu Yi Fan) and Luhan from EXO and SM Entertainment in 2014, followed by individual debuts into the Chinese market, SM Entertainment announced that there were outside factors attempting to poach the Chinese members of EXO.

EXO made its first comeback minus the two members on March 30, with the latest album, "Exodus."

The defection rumors surrounding Lay came to an end after the announcement, due to the exclusivity contract ensuring that Lay cannot seek work within China without SM Entertainment's support.

Lay is in the midst of filming the Chinese movie "Oh My God," produced by actress Zhang Ziyi.

"This establishment [Lay Workshop] will be a pioneering example in nurturing the spirit of contract compliance," said Lay, reported the Korea Herald. "I firmly believe my activities in China will help give a boost to EXO and SM Entertainment, and I hope this will foster more cultural exchange between Korea and China."

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EXO
lay
SM Entertainment
Wu Yi Fan
Luhan
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