EXO’s Lay announces departure from SM Entertainment: ‘My new beginning as a 30-year-old’

It’s official: Zhang Yixing, also known as EXO’s Lay, is leaving SM Entertainment after 10 years.

EXO member Lay took to social media to announce his departure from the entertainment agency on Friday, April 8. Coincidentally, the date falls on the South Korean-Chinese boy group’s 10th debut anniversary.

“Ten years of growth, thank you all. Thank you to my EXO brothers for your company and encouragement. Thanks to my colleagues at SM for witnessing every step of my growth and achievement. Thank you to all my fans for your unconditional love and support” Lay wrote. 

This decade is one of the greatest gifts I could’ve ever received. pic.twitter.com/7Cmpyygprg

— Lay Zhang (@layzhang) April 8, 2022

Lay added that “saying goodbye” to SM Entertainment is a “new beginning as a 30-year-old.”

Even if Lay has departed from the entertainment agency, he assured fans that he’s still a member of EXO.

“But I will always be Lay when my members need me. I’m your family member in China, Zhang Yixing. Love you forever,” Lay added.

Lay debuted as the main dancer, sub vocalist, and sub rapper of EXO in April 2012. The Chinese singer-songwriter has established his own agency Chromosome Entertainment in October 2020.