EXO's Lay announces departure from SM Entertainment

MANILA, Philippines — EXO member Lay announced his official departure from SM Entertainment on Friday, April 8, the tenth anniversary of the popular K-pop group.

Taking to social media, Lay Zhang — born Zhang Yixing — posted a written statement with the caption, "This decade is one of the greatest gifts I could've ever received."

Lay expressed his gratitude for his fellow EXO members, to colleagues at SM Entertainment, and to the fans for their unconditional love and support.

"It's also my beginning as a 30-year-old," Lay wrote, "But I will always be the Lay when my members need me... love you forever."

EXO's active members are Xiumin, Suho, D.O., Kai and Sehun, while Baekhyun, Chen and Chanyeol are currently inactive as they are undergoing mandatory military service.

Apart from EXO, SM Entertainment is the talent agency behind some of South Korea's most successful groups such as Girls' Generation, Red Velvet, SHINee, NCT and Super Junior.

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