SM Entertainment, one of South Korea’s leading talent agencies, said Friday it has filed a damage suit against Kris, an estranged Chinese member of popular K-pop boy band EXO for his “illegal” appearance in Chinese films and advertisements.

Chinese filmmakers and advertisers who hired him were also among those named in the lawsuit filed with a Beijing court, the agency said.

The 24-year-old singer ceased activities as an EXO member after he filed a lawsuit in Seoul to nullify his exclusive contract with SM in May last year.

(OSEN)

He was accused of illegally appearing in Chinese films, advertisements and events using his fame built as an EXO member as his management contract with SM remains “effective” until the final court decision on the case, the company said.

It argued that his behavior infringed upon the legal rights of SM and other EXO members while inflicting huge economic losses to the agency and its partners.

In February, the company lodged similar suits at Hong Kong and Shanghai courts against Luhan, another estranged Chinese member of EXO, and Hong Kong filmmakers and advertisers in connection with his work with them.

Debuting in 2012 as a 12-member group, EXO rose to fame in South Korea and China with its first full-length album titled “XOXO (Kisses & Hugs)” that was released a year later. The band currently has 10 members, including two Chinese members. (Yonhap)