EX-EXO Chinese Idols Luhan and Kris Featured in Forbes China's Richest Celebrity List

Jun 27, 2015 05:24 AM EDT

(Photo : Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 24: South Korean idol group EXO and Kevin Carrigan (C), Global Creative Director of Calvin Klein Jeans, attend the Calvin Klein Collection Hosts a special one-night exhibition entitled 'Infinite Loop' organized by the New Museum of Contemporary Art at the Seoul Railway Station on May 24, 2012 in Seoul, South Korea.

Former EXO members Luhan and Kris have been included in Forbes China's annual "Celebrity List." This list features the names of the richest Chinese celebrities.

Luhan is also on the cover of the magazine. He ranked 37th in the list, with an earning of approx. USD $4,587,377, according to Korea Boo. And Kris, whose real name is Wu Yifan, has secured the 42nd spot, with an earning of approx. USD 4,265,456. Chinese actress Fan Bing Bing tops this list.

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Chinese-Korean pop idol group EXO originally consisted of twelve members, including four Chinese members, Luhan, Kris, Tao, and Lay. Luhan and Kris quit the group last year and filed a lawsuit against EXO's management agency SM Entertainment, seeking termination of their contracts. Since leaving EXO, both have bagged solo endorsement and movie deals in their home country, China, and continue to be in demand.

In May, SM Entertainment said that they have filed a lawsuit against Luhan and the two Chinese companies who have used Luhan as a male model for their products. The management agency said in a statement, as quoted by Korea Boo, "As the agency of EXO members Luhan and Kris (Wu Yifan), we have filed a lawsuit against Luhan and the two Chinese companies who have used Luhan as their product models."

"Our legal action was conducted through the Chinese court and adheres to contract infringement. It was officially accepted on May 18th through Beijing People's Court," said the statement.

The statement also said that Kris and Luhan's contracts with SM Management are effective until the court gives a final verdict on the issue. It underscored that any profitable activity, including being features as models in advertisements or acting in movies, goes against the contract.

Earlier this month, on June 5, Luhan and Kris reportedly accepted the court's suggestion for a compulsory mediation with SM Entertainment, as they apparently did not file any objection against that suggestion. SM Entertainment, however, refused to accept the offer of compulsory mediation and filed their objection via their legal representative Tae Pyung Yang. Korea Boo reported that no reason was provided by SM Entertainment. The stalemate continues and the court has yet to give its final verdict on the lawsuit.

TagsEXO. EX EXO Members, Luhan, Kris, EXO Chinese Members, Luhan Quits EXO