It was approximately 4 years since Kris had left EXO. Since then he had done numerous solo activities ranging from acting and singing to modelling. Sometimes he thinks back and deeply regrets his decision of leaving his brothers behind but then he remembers how SM had treated him and those regrets just fly away. It was a bit like being in an abusive relationship, you kind of know when you’re in it but you definitely see it once you get out. Another regret he has is not being able to help his brothers escape too. He finds out a couple of years later that he actually did help.

It was approximately 3 and a half years since Luhan had left EXO. Kris leaving gave him the courage to speak out, when he wasn’t heard, he left. He has regrets too but since then his health has improved spectacularly. He was also a lot closer to his family now and it made it easier for him to take care of them and vice versa. Sometimes he misses the stage, other times he’s glad that he isn’t over exhausted and making frequent trips to the hospital.

It was approximately 2 and a half years since Yixing, Zitao and Minseok had left EXO. There was a lot less fuss in terms of no lawsuits were filed. They left when their contracts were due for a renewal, they simply said that they didn’t want to renew their contracts and left. It wasn’t too hard for Yixing and Minseok, since EXO M only consisted of the 4 of them, SM paid even less attention to them now then when there were 6. Zitao was a lot more hesitant, but after having a conversation with Sehun and Joonmyun and confirming that they wouldn’t hate him if he left, he decided to go too.

Things were a lot more different for Chen. Of course when their contracts were due for renewal Yixing, Zitao and Minseok had told him that they weren’t going to renew theirs, he didn’t really know how to feel. Their sub-unit was already falling apart he shouldn’t have been this surprised but it still hurt.

EXO members were like family but EXO M more so. EXO M members were always together 24/7, they lived together, did their activities together and practised together. They needed to be close to overcome language and cultural barriers and they did. The Chinese members were always there to help him whenever they had China related activities and Minseok was his connection to home. So when the remaining EXO M members had told him that they weren’t going to renew their contracts, he gave some serious thought as to whether or not he should renew his.

Before he could make up his mind, SM offered him to be the first EXO member to release a solo album. None of s begrudged him, in fact they all encouraged him to take this wonderful opportunity. The EXO M members were especially encouraging, they knew SM always treated Chen well and that he would be fine. With all the members’ blessings, he took the opportunity. He now regrets that with all his heart.