Fans of K-pop boy group EXO were sent abuzz with disappointment as they discovered that the group was conspicuously absent from the lineup of the highly-anticipated 2024 SM Entertainment Season’s Greetings.
On Wednesday, October 25, Kwangya released the promotional poster for their Season’s Greetings. In it are a multitude of SM Entertainment’s artists, including beloved acts like TVXQ, Super Junior, Red Velvet, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, WayV, aespa and even the rookie boy group RIIZE.
[2024 SM ARTISTS SEASON'S GREETINGS] ❄️
2024 SM ARTISTS SEASON'S GREETINGS의 판매가 드디어 시작되었습니다!💖https://t.co/hWMSckNetA pic.twitter.com/bssfdJ9588
— KWANGYA (@kwangyaofficial) October 24, 2023
Among the groups under SM Entertainment, three were noticeably absent: Girls’ Generation, SHINee, and EXO. However, both Girls’ Generation and SHINee were quick to explain that the Season’s Greetings for their groups will have pre-orders by November. Furthermore, they explained that the two groups had a different schedule compared to other SM Entertainment artists given their prior schedule.
SHINee’s 2024 Season’s Greetings will be available for pre-order only in November.
Due to the artists’ schedule, SHINee’s will be proceeding with a different schedule (than other SM artists).
More details will be out at a later date.#SHINee @SHINee pic.twitter.com/g7AX7K5IDu— ٌ (@iheartshinee_) October 23, 2023
Girls’ Generation 2024 Season’s Greetings will be available to pre-order in November! #SNSD @GirlsGeneration pic.twitter.com/M5C99vMBZk
— Sone Support | #Forever1 (@SoneSupport_) October 23, 2023
Meanwhile, EXO didn’t release a statement about their Season’s Greetings until Friday, October 27. Similar to Girl’s Generation and SHINee, theirs will also have a separate schedule. Other details about pre-order for EXO’s Seasons Greetings will be announced through a separate notice at a later date.
[OFFICIAL] 231027 #EXO Instagram Story Update
"Please understand that EXO 2024 season's greetings will be carried out as a separate schedule due to the artist's schedules.
More details regarding the pre-order will be announced through a separate notice."#엑소 @weareoneEXO pic.twitter.com/u8d11xsPrM
— EXO GLOBAL (@EXOGlobal) October 27, 2023
Although SM Entertainment has finally confirmed that EXO is still releasing a Season’s Greetings for 2024, fans are still unhappy as to why it took several days before they released an explanation about the delay. The omission already left fans puzzled and anxious about the group’s future activities with the agency.
On social media, fans lamented as to how the agency failed to properly promote EXO, especially in light of recent contract disputes and member departures from the group.
Even if EXO were to leave next year, they're still under SM now. It's crazy that SM doesn't care about company courtesy and are deliberately leaving them out. The photoshoot for the season's greetings are done months before, which makes me wonder just how long EXO had to suffer
— Nivi 😊 (@CUTEYLOEY) October 25, 2023
members leaving the company has NOTHING to do with the Season's Greetings not happening. Even the members who didn't renew still have a contract as exo member. SM not giving us a SG is simply bc they don't want to and they will try to punish the group, thats all.
— Dan (@rosesrkjm) October 25, 2023
the thing is if sm cant guarantee a simple seasons greetings for exo, what more can we expect from them for exo's "future group activities/promotions"?
exo hurt sm's ego and holding exo's trademarks and sabotaging their group career is their way of paying back
— 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮🍭c(^ㅅ^🍬c) 「백현이의 든든이🩷」 (@lightbaek614) October 25, 2023
EXO vs SM Entertainment in 2023
Notably, thi puzzling exclusion comes at a time when EXO has been navigating a series of ups and downs with their agency SM Entertainment.
In June, fans were taken aback when it was revealed that three EXO members, Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen, had issued contract termination notices to SM Entertainment. The EXO-CBX sub-united filed to terminate their contracts with SM Entertainment, citing alleged “mistreatment and unfair contract terms.” In response, SM Entertainment refuted these claims. After a three-week legal battle, both parties had reached a settlement.
Then in October, new reports emerged that two more members, Chanyeol and Sehun, were potentially transferring to another agency to pursue solo careers. But SM Entertainment swiftly denied these rumors, emphasizing that the contract signed by the members last year remains valid.
Shortly after, SM Entertainment also confirmed that D.O. would continue his solo activities under a newly established label. Additionally, he will simultaneously maintain his connection with SM Entertainment for EXO activities.
Amidst these developments, leader Suho assured fans that EXO will continue as a full group.
Featured image: EXO members pose for their album ‘EXIST.’ Credit: Facebook/EXO