(Instagram)

Tao, the Chinese member of K-pop boy act EXO, who is rumored to be contemplating leaving the team, updated his Instagram account Wednesday with a photo captioned, “I love my family. I will stay with you forever.”

The 22-year-old singer stood leaning against a parapet overlooking the cityscape with an arm wrapped around a girl who appears to be a family member.

Tao has been swept up in rumors of leaving the group since his father’s open appeal to SM Entertainment in April.

The young star had injured his ankle in January during an entertainment-sports TV program, and since then has been recuperating back in China.

In April, his father wrote a lengthy letter on Chinese social media Weibo, asking forgiveness from fans explaining that he would prefer his son to be healthy and happy than a risk-taking celebrity.

Tao has so far refrained from making an official statement on his position and plans, but rather stayed elusive with comments such as “I will do what I promised you (fans).”

10-member K-pop group EXO has suffered a series of abrupt departures of its Chinese members in 2014.

The group’s label, SM Entertainment, is still battling against singers Kris and Luhan who have unilaterally sought to terminate their exclusive contracts under allegations of maltreatments from SM based on their nationality.

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