The first hearing in the case between SM Entertainment and one former EXO member was held on Wednesday.

Legal representatives of former EXO member Kris (Wu Yi Fan) and SM Entertainment appeared on behalf of their parties during the hearing. Kris's attorney made the claim that the entertainer's contract with SM Entertainment was "illegal."

Kris's legal rep deemed the contract illegal for its length and restricting the singer's freedom.

The contract with SM Entertainment would last 10 years after EXO's debut, which the attorney highlighted as being too long. He also claimed that it "restricts freedom," as "an antisocial and illicit act," reports the K-Pop Herald.

Kris also said that SM treated him as "part of a machine," and fed him unhealthy food.

Meanwhile, SM Entertainment refuted the claims by saying that the contract was based on standards set by Korea's Fair Trade Commission.

In 2014, Kris became the first of three Chinese EXO members to become embattled with SM Entertainment. After his departure, fellow former EXO members Luhan (Lu Han) and Tao (Huang Zitao) also left EXO and SM Entertainment. Both have filed lawsuits against SM Entertainment.

Kris, Luhan, and Tao have all pursued solo careers in China as their legal issues are ongoing in South Korea. SM Entertainment has taken legal action against them for breaking their contracts and appearing in advertisements and other solo projects while technically still contracted with the company.

EXO debuted in 2011 as two distinct sub-groups, with EXO-M promoting in China and EXO-K promoting in Korea. Kris was the leader of the EXO-M sub-unit prior to his departure from the group.

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