The Uncertain Future of EXO

Talk among EXO members and fans about what’s next for the group is at an all-time high. With concerns growing, many now wonder whether the long-awaited reunion comeback will actually happen—or if EXO might silently disband in the end.

Table of Contents

• 1. EXO’s Last Album and a Reunion in Doubt
• 2. The Members’ Hints and Promises
• 3. Suho and Lay’s Hopeful Comments
• 4. D.O.’s Take on a Potential 2026 Reunion
• 5. CBX Changes the Course: The Legal Troubles Begin
• 6. June 2024 Emergency Press Conference
• 7. The Aftermath of the CBX Lawsuit
• 8. Accusations of Music Show Banning: Xiumin Shut Out
• 9. Division Among EXO-Ls and Criticism of CBX
• 10. Rumored Tensions and the Reality of Group Dynamics
• 11. Possible Future: A Commemorative Reunion?
• Conclusion

1. EXO’s Last Album and a Reunion in Doubt

Ever since EXO released Exist in 2023, fans and media have been attempting to decipher whether a full EXO comeback would ever materialize again. The group’s messy group activity scheduling under SM Entertainment has left fans skeptical about a reunion, though some members have tried to reassure fans that a comeback is still possible. Rumors, theories, and fleeting hints from members keep the discussion alive, but the path forward seems clouded by legal entanglements and personal schedules.

2. The Members’ Hints and Promises

Some members have been vocal about wanting to bring EXO together again, especially in the face of constant questions about disbandment rumors. Their comments have generated excitement among fans but also cynicism—since vague reassurances don’t always align with SM’s patchy handling of group comebacks.

SUHO has been the most forthcoming about a potential reunion, mentioning the possibility of the group performing at an SM Town Live concert. He expressed excitement about reuniting, sparking hope on social media as fans latched on to any sign that the group might share a stage again soon. But the discrepancy between SUHO’s optimism and SM’s typical scheduling difficulties has left fans on edge.

3. Suho and Lay’s Hopeful Comments

Another interesting twist came from Lay, who has been largely inactive in group promotions since 2017. Lay has continued a thriving solo career in China but teased the possibility of meeting up with EXO again sometime in September or October. He told a Chinese outlet, “I’m not entirely sure right now, but we’re talking,” which injected a dose of excitement into fans who had long assumed Lay was essentially out of the group. Since he reappeared briefly in 2021, hopes for a full re-grouping soared, but the synergy between Lay’s schedule and SM’s plan is anything but certain.

4. D.O.’s Take on a Potential 2026 Reunion

While Lay and Suho aim for 2025, D.O. has given a more sobering timeline. On January 22nd, he remarked that EXO might need to wait until 2026 to truly come back. He explained that the group has begun initial preparations to reunite, factoring in each member’s busy solo career and the different agencies they’ve joined. He clarified that SM still calls the shots for group-level decisions, which complicates everything further. His statement left fans grappling with a potentially longer wait, though some prefer that to an indefinite silence from the group or potential half-baked comebacks.

5. CBX Changes the Course: The Legal Troubles Begin

One of the biggest factors derailing a full EXO comeback is the legal battle triggered by EXO-CBX—members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin. As a sub-unit, they’ve faced rocky relations with SM since at least 2023, when the trio claimed they were receiving only about 5.5% of album revenue and 10% of sales. SM initially denied these accusations, but the two parties reached a settlement on June 19, 2023.

That resolution proved fleeting. On June 1, 2024, CBX announced they were terminating their exclusive contracts with SM. Soon after, they gave an emergency press conference accusing the company of “unfair treatment” regarding finances and contractual obligations. The sub-unit claimed they’d been forced into “slave contracts” and had tried to rectify things but ended up leaving for their own agency, INB100. Although they intended to remain part of EXO in principle, the real question became: How?

6. June 2024 Emergency Press Conference

At the emergency press conference on June 4, 2024, representatives for Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin detailed how, under SM, they faced serious “financial injustices.” They alleged SM withheld transparent accounting and locked them into extended deals, reminiscent of the “old TVXQ incident” era. SM refuted these points, proclaiming they had addressed such issues years prior by updating contracts for all their artists.

Fans in the EXO-L fandom found themselves torn. Some applauded CBX for standing up for fair pay, seeing them as heroic for tackling exploitative conditions. Others claimed the sub-unit was jeopardizing EXO’s group identity by stirring legal chaos. Meanwhile, SM insisted they had planned a winter album for 2024 but axed it due to the CBX fiasco, a statement fans doubted. Critics accused SM of manipulating the fandom by painting CBX as the saboteurs of group activities.

7. The Aftermath of the CBX Lawsuit

On June 13, 2024, SM sued CBX for allegedly breaching their contract. The very next day, June 14, CBX counter-sued. Observers worried this spelled doom for any cohesive EXO comeback. While tensions briefly calmed, in 2025 new allegations surfaced that SM was blocking Xiumin from appearing on KBS to promote his solo work. This seemed to confirm fans’ worst fears: that SM might be deliberately hindering the ex-members’ activities. KBS denied such interference, but more industry watchers believed that SM’s behind-the-scenes power could easily manipulate broadcast schedules. Some even suspect MBC and Mnet followed suit, shutting Xiumin out from promotions.

INB100, the parent company of Xiumin’s new agency, publicly blasted SM on March 4, calling their practices “barbaric” and referencing direct attempts to “control outcomes” at broadcasting stations. SM, on the other hand, seemed unbothered by the scandal. All of these back-and-forth moves only erode any notion that EXO might soon return as a single, harmonious group.

8. Accusations of Music Show Banning: Xiumin Shut Out

Seeing Xiumin blocked from multiple music shows alarmed fans who recall similar blacklisting in K-pop’s past. Exo-ls and netizens weighed in online, suspecting SM is punishing Xiumin for his role in the lawsuit. Without official confirmations, it remains a swirling rumor, but the effect is clear: the group’s synergy is diminishing, with the label’s alleged hostility making a full group performance nearly impossible.

9. Division Among EXO-Ls and Criticism of CBX

While EXO has historically boasted a strong fandom, the ongoing drama has fragmented fans into opposing camps. Some supporters blame CBX for “unnecessarily stirring trouble” after the group had come so far. Others believe the lawsuit was necessary, praising the trio for challenging exploitative structures. One comment demanded, “Why sue when they were already under the new standard contract? Did they sign it but expect different terms later?” fueling the notion that perhaps the members acted impulsively, complicating any chance of a real comeback.

Others pointed out that D.O. had no major grievances with SM, which made fans question whether Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin’s claims were overblown. The sub-unit’s supporters, however, maintain that each member’s personal circumstances differ, so D.O. not complaining doesn’t automatically invalidate CBX’s frustrations. Yet the debate rages on, overshadowing the group’s past unity.

10. Rumored Tensions and the Reality of Group Dynamics

On top of legal strife, rumors swirl that EXO’s interpersonal relationships have deteriorated. Some fans believe the members aren’t pushing for a comeback because they no longer fully get along—especially if some want to remain under SM while others prefer independence. Yet, it’s worth noting that the group rarely publicizes personal conflicts. One commenter ironically noted: “Maybe they’re not best friends, but that’s okay—they respect each other’s lanes.”

Still, speculation that a full comeback is impossible lingers. Netizens wonder if, at best, EXO might do a casual anniversary release or fan meeting. Another user expressed it this way: “Even if they do reunite, they won’t push it like before. Maybe a commemorative single once in a while—like what older Gen 2 groups do.”

11. Possible Future: A Commemorative Reunion?

With EXO’s members thriving in solo endeavors, another group comeback could be risky. Some members—like D.O. or Sehun—are forging successful acting and brand endorsement paths, while Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen are focusing on new agencies or solo output. Even if fans crave that iconic OT9 or OT8 synergy, making it happen demands cooperation from both the label and the members. The track record so far suggests it might be a tough ask.

Given Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin’s ongoing legal conflict with SM, the question remains: Is it possible to align schedules, finances, and personal comfort levels in time for a genuine group album or concert? Or will it end up as D.O. suggested, best postponed until 2026—if at all. Ultimately, some EXO-Ls are bracing for a partial or symbolic comeback, maybe a short nostalgic project to placate fans but without the full promotional push or synergy of their prime years.

Conclusion

From the outside, it’s clear EXO’s future remains uncertain. Certain members continue hinting at a comeback—Lay and SUHO bringing up possible reunions, D.O. pointing to 2026—yet the group’s unity is heavily challenged by SM’s questionable handling and CBX’s legal battles. Add to that the rumored friction among members, and you have a recipe for indefinite delays—or maybe a quiet disbandment.

Still, fans cling to the possibility that these obstacles could be resolved or that a compromise might arise. After all, K-pop history is full of “surprise reunions” after seemingly insurmountable tension. But with every new lawsuit or alleged broadcast ban, the chances of an authentic, all-member EXO release feel even more remote. For now, the best fans can do is wait for official statements—or keep their hopes alive for a day when EXO stands together again.