S.M. Entertainment is considered a giant among the entertainment companies in South Korea, and it is rare to hear criticism against it by Korean celebrities or idols. It has taken Chinese members of the idol group EXO, created and promoted by the company, to file a lawsuit aginst it and be vocal about its biased and demanding ways. After Kris and Luhan, former Chinese members of EXO-M, the Mandarin subgroup of EXO, another EXO-M member Tao has now voiced his complaints about the well-known management agency.

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He complained about S.M. Entertainment's grueling training sessions in an interview given to Chinese media Sina. Korea Boo quoted him as saying that he learnt a lot because of the management agency but there is no company or person that is perfect.  

"Every day was an eight to ten-hour practice day. In the first three months, I averaged 4-5 hours of sleep a night," he said, adding that he would be at the company till four or five in the morning to practice. After that, he used to have a big meal and sleep, and this the routine that he had to follow till he debuted. He added, "I knew that if I did not work hard, I might fall behind and not even debut."

Tao, who recently made his solo debut with a mini-album, "T.A.O," however, also acknowledged S.M. Management's contribution in shaping his character and giving him his first break. He said he is never going to forget it is the company that made his debut in Korea happen.  "They would tell us, we would not be here today if it were not for every single person around us; each person who contributes is precious," he said, adding, "they would say, if one day we reach the number one spot, we must stay humble. They taught me a lot."

This is not the first time that Tao has talked about his hardships in South Korea. He had earlier broken down during an interview, saying that he was alone for 4 years and he had to do everything on his own as there was no one to help him.

There is no doubt that Tao, whose real name is Huang Zitao, will not be returning to the EXO fold, but he has yet to spell it out that he has quit the popular Chinese-Korean idol group.   

TagsTao, EXO-L, EXO, S.M. Entertainment, Krish, Luhan, EXO Members