Earlier this week it was announced that many artists would be absent from the SMTOWN Taiwan show on March 21st including Girl’s Generation‘s Yoona and EXO‘s Lay.

According to SM Entertainment officials, “EXO’s Lay and Girl’s Generation’s Yoona are currently committed to shoots in China and will not be able to participate in the concert.”

Currently, Yoona is shooting for Chinese period drama Wu Shen Zhao Zi Long (English title: God of War Zhao Zi Long) as the heroine in the modern adaption of the Chinese classic novel “Romance of Three Kingdoms.” This story will delve into the story of General Zhao Zi Long as a romance begins to unfold among the backdrop of war. God of War will begin airing on HunanTV this August.

Meanwhile, Lay was recently cast as the lead role in Chinese movie Cong Tien Er Jiang (Oh My God!) which has begun shooting quickly once his casting was confirmed. Expectations are high for the EXO member’s acting debut especially since it will be directed by Zhang Ziyi, internationally known actress who starred in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, and House of Flying Daggers. The movie also stars other big Chinese stars including Li Xiaolu (Jacqueline Li) and Chen Xudong (Cheney Chen).

Lay and Yoona were announced to be absent from the Taiwan Concert along with fellow EXO member Tao who announced that he intends to take the stage with SMTOWN in Taiwan, nullifying previous statements.

Super Junior‘s Sungmin and f(x)‘s Sulli will also be absent, however, though there has been no word on a prior commitment or schedule for the two idols. This is causing fans to wonder why the two will not be participating.

Recently, EXO wrapped up five nights of the second tour EXO Planet #2: Exo’LuXion in Seoul last weekend and previewed tracks from their upcoming album Exodus which will be released on March 30th. The group has already announced plans for the comeback stage and has been teasing fans by releasing teasers daily. Currently, the teasers for Kai, Tao, Chanyeol, and Xiumin have been released and anticipation from fans is exponentially high as it will be the group’s first comeback since last May and as a ten-member group.

Source: Hankyung