Lay Zhang is parting ways with SM Entertainment. 

In a statement made on 8 April, the Chinese singer-songwriter shared that he is now saying goodbye to his longtime entertainment label after ten years. "This decade is one of the greatest gifts I could’ve ever received," he writes. 

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

— Lay Zhang (@layzhang) April 8, 2022

In a handwritten note in both English and Korean, Lay shared that he has had a tremendous decade, full of growth and achievement that he got to share with SM Entertainment and his fellow EXO members. While the singer will no longer be part of the label, he clarified that he'll always be there when his members need him. 

Read Lay Zhang's full note below. 

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 of my fans for your unconditional love and support. 

It's time to say goodbye as an employee of SM. It's also my new beginning as a 30-year-old. But I will always be the Lay when my members need me. I'm your family in China, Zhang Yixing. 

Love you forever, EXO. 

EXO are celebrating their 10th anniversary today (8 April). Lay, along with his fellow members, recently released their 7th mini-album Don't Fight The Feeling last June. 

As a soloist, Lay has been active in various entertainment avenues in China, including judging and coaching an array of music competition shows and releasing several popular tracks including his viral hit 'Lit'.

Listen to Lay Zhang's 'Lit' here.