EXO Remains OT9: SM confirms Chen won’t leave the group
After Chen of K-pop boy band EXO revealed through a heartfelt handwritten letter last January 13 that he will get married soon and his fiancée is already pregnant, many fans congratulated him and supported his decision. However, there are some who are upset of the sudden announcement and demand him to leave [EXO].
Despite the protest of people who want Chen’s exit, EXO’s agency SM Entertainment released a statement on February 20. Based on the statement, Chen will stay and EXO will continue promoting as a 9-piece group.
Below is a full translation by Soompi:
“Hello. This is SM Entertainment.
This is a statement regarding the stance of EXO members and the agency regarding the future direction of EXO’s activities.
As EXO’s management agency, we have prioritized the members’ opinions regarding important matters including the direction of the team and members’ activities.
Before officially announcing the marriage of member Chen, there was discussion exchanged with the EXO members. As much as the EXO members have all experienced the pain of members leaving, they expressed their intention that they want to continue together as they have until now. The agency also respected this opinion of the members, and there will be no changes in EXO’s member [lineup].
In addition, there are members who have military enlistment approaching ahead, so it was planned since last year for EXO’s activities this year to be focused on solo and unit activities. The members’ activities will be revealed one by one.
The [EXO] members will continue to promote in various ways as EXO, solo artists, and units, and they will repay the love of fans.
We will also provide our full support in every way possible for further growth of EXO and the members.
Thank you.”
#EXOLStandWith9
EXO-Ls were so happy of the company’s decision regarding the group’s current situation. In fact, they trended #EXOLStandWith9 on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Chen wrote another letter following his letter last month. He apologizes to his fans who must have been very surprised and taken aback of his sudden news.
“Still, I wrote a letter because I thought that I needed to personally tell all of you first… however, my unintentionally lacking and poor wording caused disappointment and hurt, and seeing you experience that made my heart ache as well,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to EXO-Ls who have always been with him.
“I don’t know if my feelings will be conveyed well, but I’m sincerely grateful for the love that you’ve given me. I’m more aware than anyone else that I am who I am now because of that love,” he added.
