EXO has hinted at their long-awaited full-group comeback, set for December 2025, thrilling EXO-Ls around the world. This will be the first time all nine members reunite for group activities since completing their mandatory military service.
The surprise reveal came in the early hours of September 8, 2025, when EXO’s official social media accounts shared a mysterious teaser image. The cosmic-themed image, reminiscent of a total lunar eclipse, included the words “DECEMBER 2025” along with the phrase, “WHEN WE BECOME TRUE ONE, A NEW WORLD AWAKENS.”
The message reflects EXO’s original “worldview” concept from their 2012 debut, a storytelling approach that set a new standard in K-pop.
This comeback is especially significant as it follows a four-year hiatus, delayed while all members completed their military service. Sehun, the youngest member, is currently serving as a social service worker and is expected to return on September 20. This will allow the group to promote together once again.
Their last group comeback came in July 2023 with their seventh full-length album, Exist. That release marked EXO’s first return after a lengthy hiatus caused by mandatory military enlistments.
Eight members—Xiumin, Suho, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun—all contributed vocally to the album, though Kai couldn’t participate in promotional activities due to his enlistment. Lay was absent from the comeback entirely due to ongoing individual promotions in China.
EXO’s leader, Suho, has repeatedly assured fans that the group plans to come back as a whole once all military duties are fulfilled. Speaking during the SMTOWN Live concert in Los Angeles and at the 2024 Asia Artist Awards, Suho said, “After Sehun completes his duty, all members will have fulfilled their military service,” and added, “We’ll come back together as EXO and meet our fans again.”
While the details of the upcoming album remain under wraps, the teaser hints at a return to EXO’s signature supernatural concept, similar to their debut track “MAMA.”
In the meantime, individual members have kept busy with solo projects. Suho is set to drop his 4th EP, Who Are You, on September 22, featuring an English version of the lead single.
Chen, now an artist under INB100, will release a new album, Arcadia, after over a year on September 29. D.O. is also preparing new music, with his collaboration single DUMB featuring Penomeco scheduled for release on September 16. Baekhyun, Lay, and Kai, on the other hand, are currently touring the world following album releases.
Chanyeol will release his first Japanese mini-album on October 22, following the Korean comeback with Upside Down. Meanwhile, Xiumin will wrap up his solo fan concert series X Times ( ) with encore performances on September 27 and 28.
