EXO Fans Demand Full Group Reunion for Fan Meeting and Comeback

Seoul, October 27, 2025 — Global supporters of K-pop powerhouse EXO are rallying online and in person to call for a complete nine-member reunion ahead of the group’s upcoming fan meeting and highly anticipated comeback album. The coordinated movement, which began on social media over the weekend, has rapidly escalated into one of the most vocal fan-led campaigns in the group’s history, underscoring deep concerns over recent internal divisions involving EXO’s subunit members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin — collectively known as CBX.

Fans Unite to Demand Inclusion

EXO-Ls, the group’s official fanbase, have mobilized under hashtags translating to “EXO is One” and “Nine or None,” trending across South Korean and global online platforms such as X, Instagram, and Weverse. Fans are urging the agency to include all nine members — Suho, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Chen, D.O., Kai, Sehun, Xiumin, and Lay — in official group activities for the first time in years.

While EXO’s label has yet to release an official statement responding to the demands, fan campaigns have taken on remarkable momentum. Digital billboards in Seoul’s Gangnam District and public transport advertisements have appeared overnight, showcasing messages from international fans calling for “complete reunion, complete EXO.” Similar campaigns have surfaced in major cities including Bangkok, Manila, Tokyo, and Los Angeles, highlighting the global nature of the fandom’s unity.

Background: The CBX Dispute and Its Fallout

The latest wave of fan activism follows months of speculation surrounding the participation of CBX members in upcoming EXO events. Earlier this year, Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin were reported to be in a contractual dispute with the agency over settlement transparency and management terms. Although brief reconciliation efforts were announced in late summer, fans fear the relationship remains tenuous, threatening group harmony.

Historically, EXO has endured several lineup and management challenges since their debut in 2012. Originally a twelve-member group divided into EXO-K and EXO-M — catering to Korean and Mandarin-speaking audiences — the band saw the departure of Kris, Luhan, and Tao between 2014 and 2015 after contract termination lawsuits. Despite those early setbacks, EXO continued as a nine-member ensemble and solidified its reputation as one of the most influential K-pop acts of the 2010s, known for its synchronized performances, chart-topping releases, and global tours.

With the current tensions surrounding CBX, fans draw parallels to those earlier moments of internal uncertainty. Many argue that maintaining the full nine-member lineup is essential for preserving EXO’s legacy, especially as the group approaches its 13th anniversary next year — a milestone that holds deep sentimental value for long-term followers.

The Significance of a Nine-Member Reunion

To EXO-Ls, the symbolism of nine carries powerful meaning. Since the group’s reformation in 2016 following prior departures, the “nine-member EXO” has represented resilience and continuity. Each stage appearance, album jacket, and promotional cycle featuring all nine artists reinforces a sense of completeness for fans who have watched them evolve together over more than a decade.

The last full-group comeback occurred in 2021 with the release of Don’t Fight the Feeling, a special album recorded amid military enlistments and pandemic restrictions. That brief reunion, limited by physical constraints, left fans longing for the energy and stage synergy only a complete EXO performance could deliver. Many fans see 2025 as a pivotal year for renewal — both for the band’s internal cohesion and its standing within a competitive K-pop landscape that has seen newer groups rapidly rise to prominence.

Agency Silence Fuels Fan Frustration

As of late October, EXO’s management agency has refrained from issuing detailed comments about the situation. Industry insiders speculate that ongoing contract renegotiations may be complicating matters behind the scenes. However, the lack of transparency has only amplified public discontent. On fan message boards and community platforms, users have expressed worry that the agency’s silence could signal deeper unresolved issues.

Offline, the demand for clarity has extended to formal petitions. Thousands of fans have signed coordinated letters directed toward the agency’s headquarters, urging open communication and respect for the group’s unity. Some longtime followers have even called for boycotts of upcoming promotions if CBX members are not officially included, underscoring just how high emotions have run.

Economic Stakes for the Comeback

Beyond fan sentiment, industry analysts emphasize that the stakes for EXO’s next comeback carry significant economic implications. A full-member return would likely trigger a surge in both domestic and international sales, leveraging EXO’s substantial global brand value. The group’s previous albums, such as The War (2017) and Don’t Mess Up My Tempo (2018), recorded millions of physical sales, setting benchmarks later matched by newer generation artists.

Merchandise, sponsorships, and concert tours tied to a full reunion could generate substantial revenue. Analysts note that K-pop’s current market trend heavily favors nostalgic momentum — with veteran acts like SHINee, BIGBANG, and TVXQ seeing spikes in fan activity during reunions. For EXO, whose name remains synonymous with the genre’s golden era, a properly managed comeback could revitalize both fan engagement and streaming performance across platforms.

Conversely, a fractured lineup risks dampening these prospects. Industry observers caution that excluding CBX could alienate a loyal international audience base, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia and Latin America, where fan clubs for Baekhyun and Chen maintain significant grassroots influence.

Regional Reactions and Comparisons

Across Asia’s vibrant K-pop communities, the EXO situation is being watched closely. In Japan, where EXO enjoys one of its strongest overseas markets, local fan associations have already coordinated group events and poster drives advocating full participation. In China, long-standing EXO-M supporters have expressed cautious hope for Lay’s involvement but renewed calls for all members to reunite.

Analysts draw comparisons between EXO’s current situation and other K-pop acts that faced similar challenges balancing individual and group activities. Groups such as Super Junior and GOT7 navigated agency transitions while maintaining unity through flexible management structures that allowed members to pursue solo careers without fragmenting the brand. Fans argue that EXO could thrive under a similar model — one that respects contractual independence while affirming collective identity.

Global Fandom Power and Social Media Mobilization

The strength of EXO’s fanbase lies not only in passion but in organizational skill. Within hours of the initial fan meeting announcement, posts expressing frustration at CBX’s uncertain participation had reached millions of interactions. Fan collectives translated statements into multiple languages, ensuring worldwide dissemination. These efforts reflect the modern evolution of K-pop fan activism, which merges entertainment enthusiasm with social coordination more typically seen in political or humanitarian campaigns.

Digital marketing experts note that such campaigns significantly influence corporate decision-making in the entertainment sector. Online visibility metrics, including trending counts and viewership of fan-made content, often push agencies to reassess promotional strategies. In EXO’s case, the campaign’s global reach represents a major factor that executives cannot easily dismiss without reputational costs.

Cultural Significance of “EXO is One”

The phrase “EXO is One,” long used by the fandom to symbolize unbreakable solidarity, has regained prominence amid current events. The slogan first originated in 2013 during the group’s initial world tour and became a rallying cry during turbulent years that tested fan loyalty. To many Korean fans, the saying transcends musical fandom — it captures a generational sentiment of perseverance, nostalgia, and hope.

Fan testimonies shared online reveal that many longtime followers grew up alongside the group, shaped by its music and message of unity. As one trending comment summarized, “We waited through enlistments, we waited through scandals — all we want now is to see EXO as nine again.” Such expressions underscore why the current movement resonates so powerfully beyond casual fandom.

What Comes Next for EXO

With only weeks remaining before the scheduled fan meeting, speculation continues over whether the agency will address the mounting demand for a nine-member stage. Insiders suggest internal discussions are ongoing, though concrete developments remain undisclosed. Should the agency agree to full participation, it could mark one of the most anticipated comebacks in contemporary K-pop — both a symbolic reunion and a powerful commercial revival.

For now, fans remain undeterred. Events planned across Seoul’s major landmarks, including the COEX Mall and the Lotte Tower plaza, are set to feature synchronized light displays bearing EXO’s logo and the message “Nine Together, Always.” Organizers say the show of unity aims not only to support the members but also to remind the industry of what EXO has always represented — artistry built on teamwork, endurance, and connection with fans worldwide.

As anticipation builds, one thing is clear: EXO’s legacy continues to ignite intense devotion more than a decade after their debut. Whether the upcoming events deliver the long-hoped-for reunion or deepen the existing divide, the power of EXO-L’s voice proves that in Korean pop culture, fandom is not just an audience — it is a force capable of shaping the narrative itself.