SM Entertainment expressed regret over Chenbaekxi's statement. On the 29th, SM released an official statement titled "Regarding the Statements from Byun Baekhyun, Kim Jongdae, and Kim Minseok." SM clarified that the dispute resolution and team activities are separate issues with the three members.

SM explained, "We have won all disputes so far, and the only demand made to the three members was the payment of 10% of individual activity revenue as stipulated in the existing agreement dated June 18, 2023. However, this has not yet been fulfilled." Furthermore, SM emphasized that trust between both parties has significantly deteriorated regarding participation in team activities, and due to the damage caused to the EXO team and the hurt inflicted on fans and members, serious efforts by the three members to fulfill the existing agreement and restore trust are necessary.

SM stated, "The three members claimed that after the second mediation session on October 2, they accepted all conditions proposed by us and expressed their intention to settle, but they filed an objection first on the 16th. We deeply regret the distorted announcement made by the three members regarding these circumstances." SM added, "We will do our best to support and make efforts for EXO's activities starting in December."

Chenbaekxi's agency, INB100, released an official statement saying, "Chenbaekxi promised fans full-group activities as members of EXO and is making every effort to achieve this." According to INB100, Chenbaekxi met directly with SM on July 9 to confirm the direction and willingness for an agreement, and on September 10, they mutually shared a detailed agreement proposal, entering a substantive negotiation phase.

Chenbaekxi explained, "After the second mediation session, we clearly conveyed our intention to settle by accepting all conditions proposed by SM for EXO's full-group comeback at the end of the year." They added, "We cleared all personal schedules in December for full-group activities and were waiting for SM's final response through legal representatives. While making such efforts for EXO's full-group activities, we received notices about fan meetings and the release of a regular album excluding Chenbaekxi."

Chenbaekxi stated, "We cherish the sincere support of fans who have been with us for a long time and earnestly hoped for EXO's full-group activities, which is why we chose the path of agreement. We plan to reach an agreement for full-group activities as soon as possible. We thank the fans who always trust and wait for us and will do our best to produce good results."

Chenbaekxi requested all settlement documents related to EXO's 13 years of activities from SM at the Seoul Eastern District Court, but the court ordered submission of only documents after the new exclusive contract and dismissed the rest. Requests for inspection and copying of accounting books were also dismissed, and appeals and re-appeals were all rejected.

Reports filed with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Fair Trade Commission were closed without charges. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism judged that SM regularly disclosed settlement data to Chenbaekxi and found no violations of the exclusive contract or the Popular Culture Industry Act. The Fair Trade Commission also rejected Chenbaekxi's claims of unfair contracts with SM and unfair support regarding music distribution fees imposed by Kakao Entertainment.

In its official statement, SM Entertainment reiterated, "We clarified to the three members that the dispute resolution and team activities are separate issues. Regarding the dispute resolution, we have won all disputes so far, and the only demand made to the three members was the payment of 10% of individual activity revenue as stipulated in the existing agreement dated June 18, 2023. This has not yet been fulfilled."

SM added, "Regarding participation in team activities, trust between both parties has significantly deteriorated, and due to the damage caused to the EXO team and the hurt inflicted on fans and members, serious efforts by the three members to fulfill the existing agreement and restore trust are necessary."

The conflict between Chenbaekxi and SM continues, and the situation remains complicated even after the official statements from both sides. Fans are looking forward to EXO's full-group activities and are closely watching the outcome of the negotiations between the two parties.