Kris, a former member of K-pop idol group EXO, is following in former Super Junior member Hangeng’s footsteps and will star with him in a joint Korea-China film.

According to local news reports on Monday, Kris won a role as one of the male leads in the romantic flick “Xiao You Qiao Mu,” directed by Korean filmmaker Jo Jin-kyoo. 

Kris is the latest addition to the cast and joins Hangeng and Korean actor Joo Won. In the film the three stars compete to win the heart of the same woman.

Kris’ move has come under the spotlight after he filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, one of Korea’s three largest talent agencies, on May 15. He demanded that his contract be nullified, taking issue with “exploitation” and “unfair treatment” from the agency.

Korean news outlets reported that YUEHUA, the distributor and investor of the forthcoming film, helped Kris snatch the part, citing industry insiders.

YUEHUA is also the biggest entertainment powerhouse in China that manages a host of top-tier Chinese stars including Hangeng. The former Super Junior member also filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment in late 2009, claiming his contract was unfair.

Shortly after Kris departed from the K-pop scene, his mother reportedly contacted YUEHUA, seeking a contract with the agency.

The two male leads -- Hangeng and Kris -- have a few things in common. They both debuted as Chinese members of K-pop idol groups and achieved broad stardom in Asia. They also both decided to launch a legal battle against SM Entertainment and left their groups when their popularity was at its peak. Now, they seek to continue their activities based in China.

The only difference is that Hangeng ended his career in Korea by winning his lawsuit while Kris still has a long ways to go before his contract with SM Entertainment is legally finished.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)