It’s official: D.O. is leaving SM Entertainment. Several reports suggested that the EXO member will be leaving the company to join a new agency with a longtime friend. Now, SM Entertainment has addressed the news to assure fans about the idol’s future.
According to several reports, D.O. is currently extending his activities by joining a new agency, which was founded by a long-time management director who has been with him since his debut. Notably, D.O. and the management director share a close bond well-known among EXO fans. Do Kyungsoo reportedly mentioned the manager in various award acceptance speeches and interviews, and consults with the manager regarding his career decisions.
Despite the reported move to a new agency, it is anticipated that D.O. will maintain his role as an EXO member while pursuing new opportunities within the framework of the new company.
SM Entertainment Confirms EXO D.O.’s New Agency
Since then, SM Entertainment has addressed the report, confirming D.O.’s status in a statement.
“D.O.’s exclusive contract with us will expire in early November,” the statement read. “Following thorough discussions with D.O., it has been decided that he will continue his EXO activities with SM, but will proceed with his acting and individual activities through the newly established agency founded by his and SM’s former manager.”
The news of D.O.’s departure comes shortly after it was reported that EXO members Chanyeol and Sehun will sign with a new agency. SM Entertainment refuted the reports but also indicated that the members can pursue individual activities with other companies.
“It is not true that Chanyeol and Sehun have moved to a new agency,” the statement read. “The contracts that EXO members signed with SM Entertainment at the end of last year remain valid, and EXO activities will continue to proceed under SM Entertainment.”
SM Entertainment continued, “However, in regards to the members’ individual activities, we have conditionally allowed them to proceed through their own established companies if they wish, within the terms of their existing exclusive contracts with SM.”
EXO released their seventh studio album ‘EXIST’ on July 10, 2023.