EXO is set to return with their first fan meeting in years this December, followed by a new full album in 2026. The group’s comeback will include six members: Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay, whose participation marks his first official activities with the group since 2021.
Official Comeback Announcement
SM Entertainment officially announced on October 27 that EXO will hold the fan meeting “EXO’verse” on December 13 and 14 at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, South Korea. The event will serve as the starting point for their broader comeback plans, which include the release of their eighth full-length album in the first quarter of 2026. Promotional activities for the new album are scheduled to begin in December 2025.
The agency confirmed the participating members for both the fan meeting and the upcoming album, notably including Lay, who has been focused on his solo career in China. This will be his first comeback with EXO in four years.
Lay had already hinted at this reunion in an earlier interview, saying “Stay Tuned For December”.
Fan Meeting Details and Performance Preview
The “EXO’verse” fan meeting is designed as a special reunion for the group and their fanbase, EXO-L. The event will feature performances of the group’s popular songs, including their beloved winter track “The First Snow”. Fans will also get an exclusive first listen to a new song from the upcoming eighth album.
Ticket reservations will be managed through Melon Ticket. A presale for official fan club members begins on October 30 at 8 p.m. KST, with general ticket sales starting on October 31 at 8 p.m. KST. All tickets are priced at KRW 110,000. Information regarding an online live broadcast via Beyond LIVE and Weverse will be announced later on EXO’s official social media channels.
Lay’s Return and Member Lineup
The confirmed lineup for the fan meeting and album includes six of EXO’s nine members: leader Suho, Chanyeol, D.O. (Do Kyung Soo), Kai, Sehun, and Lay. The return of Lay is a significant moment for the group. While he virtually participated in the 2021 release “Don’t Fight the Feeling,” his involvement in the upcoming fan meeting and album represents his most substantial collaboration with EXO in four years, a development that has generated considerable excitement.
The announcement also clarified that members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, who form the sub-unit EXO-CBX, are not part of this specific schedule. This has sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans expressing disappointment on social media about the absence of the CBX members while others celebrated Lay’s long-awaited return.
A Look at EXO’s History and Future
EXO debuted in 2012 and quickly became one of K-pop’s most prominent groups, known for hits like “Growl” and “The First Snow.” The group previously consisted of twelve members before the departures of Kris, Luhan, and Tao. The remaining nine members have continued group activities while also pursuing successful solo careers in music, film, and television.
The upcoming eighth album is a major milestone as it follows the completion of mandatory military service for several members and represents the next chapter in the group’s musical journey. The fan meeting in December will offer the first glimpse of this new era for EXO.
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