KBS Addresses EXO's Xiumin's Absence from Music Bank
On April 4, 2025, KBS released a statement regarding the absence of EXO's Xiumin from the show Music Bank (뮤직뱅크). The network expressed gratitude to viewers who showed interest and petitioned for his appearance. Since its debut in 1998, Music Bank has been a significant platform in K-pop, showcasing various artists each week.
KBS explained that discussions about Xiumin's participation had been ongoing between the production team and his agency. However, they acknowledged that there were differences in expectations during these discussions. They emphasized that Music Bank is open to all agencies and artists, and the lineup is determined based on communication with the artists, considering various factors such as stage setup and program flow.
The network also requested understanding from fans, noting that due to limited scheduling and production conditions, it is not always possible to accommodate every request. They expressed empathy for fans who were looking forward to Xiumin's performance and committed to facilitating more opportunities for artists to connect with their fans through Music Bank in the future.
Previously, Xiumin's agency, One Hundred Percent, revealed that KBS had been unresponsive, stating that it was unofficially communicated that Xiumin could not appear on programs featuring SM Entertainment artists simultaneously. In response, KBS denied these claims, asserting that they have been in continuous communication with the agency. However, this led to a viewer petition demanding clarity on the situation.
The petition highlighted the discrepancy between KBS's response, which labeled the claims as 'unfounded,' and Xiumin's agency's assertion regarding issues with overlapping appearances with a specific agency. The petitioners called for a more transparent explanation from KBS regarding the communication breakdown and the reasons behind the decision not to allow Xiumin's appearance on a comeback stage.
KBS is required to respond to petitions that receive over 1,000 signatures, and while they provided a response, it lacked specifics about the selection criteria for artists and whether a specific agency was indeed mentioned. This vague response has intensified the ongoing controversy surrounding the issue.
