Why Didn’t Xiumin Appear on Music Bank? KBS Finally Responds

KBS has officially addressed why EXO’s Xiumin did not appear on Music Bank, citing differences in expectations during discussions with his agency.

On April 4, KBS issued a formal response on its viewer petition board regarding a fan’s request for transparency over Xiumin’s canceled appearance on Music Bank. The original petition, posted on March 9, asked for a "fair and honest explanation" as to why the singer was excluded from the lineup.

In its reply, KBS stated:

“The Music Bank production team was in communication with Xiumin’s representatives regarding his appearance on the show. However, there were differences in the direction of discussions and expectations during that process.”

KBS emphasized that Music Bank is open to all agencies and artists, and that casting decisions are made based on communication with artists, overall program flow, stage concepts, and limited airtime availability.

“Due to limited broadcast time and production constraints, it is not possible to accommodate every appearance request,” KBS explained.

“We understand the disappointment of fans who were looking forward to Xiumin’s stage, and we will continue striving to bring more artists on Music Bank to connect with their fans.”

Background: Xiumin’s Label Accuses KBS of Unfair Treatment

Earlier in March, One Hundred, the parent company of Xiumin’s label INB100, released a statement claiming that Xiumin was denied a chance to appear on Music Bank for reasons they found unjustified. The label accused KBS of reflecting only the stance of “a particular company,” calling it “deeply unfair behavior for a public broadcaster.”

KBS previously responded to the claim as “groundless,” maintaining that the production team was still communicating with Xiumin’s agency at the time.

Later, Han Kyung-chun, Director of KBS’s Variety Center, addressed the issue during a press briefing on the broadcaster’s spring lineup:

“Having worked as a Music Bank PD myself, I can say with confidence that 99% of the casting is handled by the producers. This ultimately comes down to a communication issue between the production team and the agency.”

What Really Happened with Xiumin and Music Bank?

Inside the Controversy Between INB100, One Hundred, and KBS:

EXO’s Xiumin, who recently made a solo comeback under the new label INB100 (a subsidiary of One Hundred), was noticeably absent from KBS2’s Music Bank—a move that sparked confusion and backlash among fans. The situation quickly gained traction online, with fans demanding answers through viral hashtags like #JusticeForXiumin and #LetXiuminPerform.

The incident began when One Hundred released an official statement in March 2025, accusing KBS of blocking Xiumin’s appearance for “unjustifiable reasons.” The agency claimed that KBS was favoring a specific company, hinting at possible industry power dynamics, and labeled the decision as unfair conduct by a public broadcaster.

In response, KBS denied the accusations, calling them “groundless,” and stated that its Music Bank production team had been actively communicating with Xiumin’s agency regarding the appearance. However, the singer was ultimately left off the final broadcast lineup.

Adding more fuel to the fire, Han Kyung-chun, the director of KBS’s Entertainment Division, spoke during the broadcaster’s spring press briefing, saying:

“Casting decisions on Music Bank are 99% up to the producing team. This appears to be a communication breakdown between producers and the agency.”

This isn’t the first time KBS has come under scrutiny for its artist lineup decisions. With Xiumin’s omission occurring shortly after his departure from SM Entertainment alongside fellow EXO members Chen and Baekhyun, some fans believe the situation reflects deeper industry politics involving broadcast favoritism, idol management power struggles, and the treatment of solo artists post-SM.