Will Lay still be in Exo? He quits their label on K-pop group’s 10th anniversary
- Chinese pop star Lay, a member of Korean pop group Exo, has parted ways with their label SM Entertainment, announcing the news on Instagram and Twitter
- In his social media posts, Lay says he will ‘always be the Lay when my members need me’, implying he is only leaving the label and not the pop group
K-pop star Lay has parted ways with his group Exo’s music label, SM Entertainment.
He revealed the split on the 10th anniversary of the group’s 2012 debut, April 8.
Music labels typically sign K-pop bands to seven-year contracts, with a three-year extension often added later on.
In the note, Lay declared he’s “your family member in China”, acknowledging his popularity and successful career in the country, where he is also an actor.
Lay debuted in Exo’s initially China-focused subgroup Exo-M, a counter to the Korea-oriented Exo-K subgroup. Exo rose to fame after breakout hit Grow in 2013, and have had numerous hits ever since.
Lay and other Exo members have pursued solo careers as singers and actors while remaining in the group. Lay, who has released albums featuring songs in Chinese and English, released his latest single, Dawn to Dusk, in February.
“It’s time to say goodbye as an employee of SM,” Lay, who turned 30 in October, wrote in his note. “It’s also my new beginning as a 30-year-old.”
