Why Did Huang Zitao Leave K-Pop Group EXO? Explained

Ex-EXO member Huang Zitao, popularly known by his stage name Tao or Z.Tao, is making headlines after confirming his relationship with ex-SM Entertainment trainee Xu Yiyang. After the announcement, the two publicly acknowledged their relationship and shared a couple of videos on Douyin.

Tao’s relationship with SM Entertainment, like that of his two fellow Chinese members, Kris Wu and Luhan, is complicated. Both members left the K-pop group after filing lawsuits against SM Entertainment for mistreating the EXO China line. They accused the label of giving better treatment to EXO-K. After Kris’ departure, Tao strictly criticized his “selfish” decision in a now-deleted post, for which he later apologized.

However, Tao endured several injuries while participating in promotional activities, which forced him to go on a prolonged hiatus in 2015. On various occasions, he was seen sitting in a wheelchair. Tao’s father had expressed his strong desire for his son to return to China.

In June 2015, the singer set up his Chinese agency named TAO Studio, after which he filed a lawsuit against the company in August. He revealed that the contract had biased terms and conditions that restricted his freedom. After an prolonged battle, he finally left SM in 2018.

Ex-EXO member Huang Zitao’s career explored

Tao has had a prosperous journey as a solo artist after making his solo debut in 2015, with a digital EP called TAO. It sold over 600,000 copies in its first week. The same year, he also made his acting debut in the film You Are My Sunshine. He has appeared in many Chinese dramas and films in pivotal roles since then. He won the Most Influential Male Singer award in 2016. After this, he released his first album, titled The Road.

Tao joined the widely popular variety show Street Dance of China in 2018 and later became the head producer and MC for the Chinese version of Produce 101. The singer has participated in various solo concerts and tours, which only strengthened his popularity. Furthermore, he has numerous songwriting credits under his name.

Tao is set to return in the upcoming drama Gorgeous Life in the central role.

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