EXO's Tao - (OSEN)

Tao, member of K-pop idol band EXO, hoped on Monday that the remaining group members would stay together without any more defections.

“Ten diamonds. Just like this bracelet, I hope that the remaining 10 of us can continue to stay together,” he wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of the bracelet from a luxurious brand.

The Chinese idol’s remarks followed a series of EXO members’ departure from the group. EXO, the formerly 12-member group, only has 10 members left now.

Earlier this month, Luhan filed a lawsuit against his label SM Entertainment to terminate his exclusive contract with the nation’s largest agency. The exact cause for the filing was not revealed and the legal battle is underway.

K-pop insiders however speculate that the legal action resulted from mistreatment, as was the case with former EXO member Kris. Kris also sued SM on May 15 to nullify his contract, taking issue with what he claimed was unfair treatment.

In light of Luhan’s legal action, SM released an official statement saying, “It is likely that, upon gaining immense popularity through EXO, he is putting his own good ahead of the group’s activities.”

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)