EXO Comeback Uncertainty: CBX Members Eager to Rejoin, SM Hesitant

On October 30, 2025, the future of EXO's full-group comeback remains uncertain. According to recent developments, the trio of Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, collectively known as CBX, have expressed their eagerness to rejoin the group for upcoming activities. Their agency, INB100, released a statement last week affirming the members' intent to participate in EXO's full-group comeback.

However, the situation took an unexpected turn when SM Entertainment, EXO's label, announced the group's year-end fan meeting and an eighth full album scheduled for early 2026, without including CBX in the lineup. SM cited the ongoing legal dispute between the agency and the trio as the primary reason for their exclusion, stating that the "unreasonable lawsuits" have significantly damaged the trust between the two sides and caused harm to the group and its fans.

Despite the apparent rift, both parties have been engaged in reconciliation talks this year. According to INB100, during a mediation session on October 2, CBX members had accepted all of SM's conditions for participating in the December comeback. The trio had even cleared their schedules in anticipation of the reunion, only to be left out of SM's recent announcement.

For EXO fans, the absence of CBX members, particularly Baekhyun and Chen, who are widely regarded as among K-pop's strongest vocalists, is a significant disappointment. The phrase "OT9" (referring to the original nine-member lineup) has remained a rallying point within the fandom, and the possibility of a full-group reunion has been a long-held dream.