(SM Entertainment)

China’s biggest online video site, iQIYI.com, reported Thursday that a Chinese member of the group, Tao, is planning to leave EXO.

The rumors are quickly spreading by confused fans of Korean-Chinese K-pop group EXO.

“SM Entertainment has announced that Tao is taking a rest due to a recent leg injury from a television entertainment program, but Tao’s close aide has said that he asked for a contract cancellation,” iQIYI.com reported.

(iQIYI)

Tao suffered a leg injury in February during filming of the MBC variety show “2015 Idol Star Athletics.“ He was unable to participate in major EXO concerts following the accident.

Minutes after the iQIYI report, Tao’s name was the most searched word on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter.

In a recent press conference for the group’s second regular album “EXODUS,” which was released in March, Tao said “I’m recovering. It’s a shame I couldn’t be on the stage.”

SM Entertainment, EXO’s label, has not commented on the rumor.

EXO has a history of Chinese members leaving the group. Former members Kris and Luhan left in succession in 2014, leaving the group in unexpected chaos.

The 10-member group currently holds the Billboard title of the largest number of sales in a week by a K-pop group.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)