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| EXO. (SM Entertainment) |
SM Entertainment announced through its website on Thursday that EXO-M leader Kris will not be joining the rest of the EXO members on stage during the popular K-pop idol group’s first solo concert this weekend.
The announcement came after Kris surprised the K-pop world with his lawsuit against his talent agency SM Entertainment last week.
“The upcoming concert at Seoul Olympic Gymnastics Stadium on May 23-25 will be given by 11 members,” said the statement, implying that Kris will not be present. “The current members are doing all they can to prepare for the upcoming performance. For all the fans who have been waiting anxiously, we promise you a spectacular show.”
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| EXO-M leader Kris. (SM Entertainment) |
His current whereabouts are still unknown, although there are widespread speculations that he has not returned to Seoul after his group’s showcase in China earlier this month and that he is currently in Guangzhou, his hometown. SM officials claimed that they, too, have been unable to get a hold of Kris.
“Since he filed his lawsuit we have been unable to get in touch with Kris and we have heard no word from his attorneys on whether he had intentions of attending the concert,” stated an SM official.
“All of a sudden we only had 11 members for the concert, leaving us with a lot to change, so it has been very difficult for both the members and the staff. But we are doing our best to cope with the situation.”
On May 15, Kris filed a suit with the Seoul Central District Court, under his Chinese name Wu Yifan, to legally terminate his contract with the agency. It was later reported that the idol star may have been diagnosed with myocarditis, a heart muscle disease.
“It is like a fly trying to bite a tortoise. I am doing better, thanks to all your blessings. I would like to thank you for supporting me. I appreciate every voice you make. Wu Yifan is always here,” Kris wrote in a handwritten letter he posted Friday on Weibo after a Chinese media outlet revealed his medical diagnosis.
The remaining 11 members of EXO are still slated to continue their scheduled activities as planned, including their upcoming Seoul concerts and two solo concert performances in Hong Kong on June 1 and 2.
By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)
