EXO is finally making their long-awaited return with “EXO’verse,” a fan meeting taking place on December 14 at the Inspire Arena in Jung-gu, Incheon. The group will hold two sessions, one at 2 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. This will be their first large-scale activity in about one year and eight months. The event also serves as the starting point for EXO’s long-anticipated 2026 comeback.
This fan meeting comes at an especially meaningful time: EXO’s youngest member, Sehun, has completed his military service and is rejoining group activities. Lay is also returning after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus from South Korea-based promotions. D.O., now under a new agency, is participating as well.
What Fans Can Expect at “EXO’verse”
During the fan meeting, EXO plans to look back on their memories with EXO-L through performances of some of their biggest hits, including their beloved winter song “First Snow.” The group will also present new songs from their upcoming eighth full-length album, which is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026. These stages will be the first time fans hear the album’s tracks performed.
Tickets sold out during the fan club pre-sale on October 30. It shows just how strong the anticipation is for EXO’s return. For fans unable to attend in person, both sessions will be livestreamed through Beyond LIVE and Weverse.
Why Six EXO Members are Participating
Only six members—Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay—will participate in the event. Members of CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin) will not join due to an ongoing dispute with SM Entertainment.
The issue traces back to 2023, when CBX filed legal complaints against SM over contract transparency and settlement disputes. In October 2025, the courts dismissed all of CBX’s claims and ruled in SM Entertainment’s favor.
Despite the ruling, CBX’s agency INB100 stated that the trio had cleared their December schedules and were willing to participate in EXO group activities under SM’s conditions. However, SM responded that resolving the lawsuit was separate from rebuilding trust. They emphasized that CBX had not yet fulfilled certain financial obligations.
Because of this, the fan meeting and the upcoming comeback will move ahead without CBX.
Fan Reactions
Fan sentiment has been mixed since the lineup announcement. Many EXO-Ls are thrilled to see the six members together again, especially with Lay’s return and Sehun’s post-military comeback.
At the same time, there is notable disappointment that the event will not feature all nine members. The phrase “EXO is 9” keeps trending on social media, who value the group’s complete lineup and have been waiting for their reunion for a long time.
Despite the ongoing controversy, “EXO’verse” marks the official start of EXO’s next chapter. SM Entertainment has confirmed that the group will release their eighth full-length album in early 2026, followed by additional group activities.
