Expand your K-pop playlist: Get to know EXO and its members
EXO has held onto its place in K-pop history even as the lineup and schedule shifted. The group first broke through with synchronized choreography and a dual-language approach that let Korean and Mandarin listeners find their entry point. Nearly fifteen years later the same core discipline still drives the catalog, though the current active roster reflects completed military service, contract negotiations, and a deliberate return to group work in 2026.
EXO’s origins
EXO formed under SM Entertainment as a twelve-member act split between EXO-K and EXO-M. The name nods to exoplanets, and the early concept framed the members as visitors from another world. After Kris, Luhan, and Tao departed between 2014 and 2015, the remaining nine carried on. The group stayed on hiatus once enlistments began in 2019, released the seventh album Exist in 2023, and now prepares an eighth studio album, Reverxe, for early 2026. A December 2025 fan meeting titled EXO’verse will preview the new material.
EXO-CBX & EXO-SC
Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin launched EXO-CBX in 2016 with the EP Hey Mama!. The subunit continued releasing material in Korean and Japanese before moving operations to INB100 in 2023. Recent solo projects include Chen’s Polaris and Door EPs, Baekhyun’s Hello World project, and Xiumin’s Interview X EP. EXO-SC, formed by Chanyeol and Sehun in 2019, has not issued new music since the 2020 album 1 Billion Views. Because of ongoing revenue-share discussions with SM Entertainment, the three CBX members will sit out the 2026 group album and fan meeting while they pursue independent activities.
Current Group Configuration and 2026 Comeback
The 2026 album and fan meeting will feature six members: Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay. This configuration marks the first full-group studio release since Exist and the first major stage appearance together since the members finished military service. SM Entertainment confirmed the six-member unit after the December 2025 EXO’verse fan meeting announcement, and early reports indicate the new album will blend the group’s signature harmonies with updated production that reflects each member’s post-service work.
EXO-CBX Contract Dispute and Independent Path
Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin operate under INB100 for solo and subunit work while legal matters with SM Entertainment continue. The core issue centers on revenue distribution from past releases. The three members have stated they intend to rejoin full group activities once the matters reach resolution, yet they remain excluded from the 2026 album and fan meeting. Their solo catalogs continue to expand on the new label, giving listeners separate avenues to follow while the larger group narrative moves forward without them for now.
Lay's Evolving Role in EXO
Lay left SM Entertainment in 2022 to focus on solo projects in China yet rejoined the group for the Reverxe sessions. His participation marks the first major EXO studio release he has joined since 2018. The decision keeps the Chinese member line represented in the current six-person configuration and signals that the door remains open for future collective work even after years of separate schedules.
Post-Military Service Group Resumption
Every member completed mandatory service by September 20, 2025, when Sehun was discharged. The staggered returns allowed individual solo and acting projects to continue without group pressure. Once the final discharge cleared the calendar, SM Entertainment scheduled the December 2025 fan meeting and early 2026 album, effectively ending the long hiatus that began in 2019. The timeline shows how the group managed to keep momentum alive through subunit releases and solo work until the full roster could reconvene.
Chen
Kim Jong-dae, known as Chen, joined SM Entertainment at nineteen and later performed with SM the Ballad. He placed runner-up on King of Mask Singer and starred in the Korean production of In the Heights. Chen married in early 2020 and welcomed a daughter that April. He began military service in October 2020 and returned in April 2022. Since discharge he released the EPs Polaris in 2023 and Door in 2024. Current contract talks keep him outside the 2026 group album, yet his solo output remains steady.
Baekhyun
Byun Baek-hyun signed with SM in 2011 and quickly became the group’s main vocalist. He starred in a Korean production of Singin’ in the Rain, co-hosted Inkigayo with Suho, and launched streetwear label Privé by BBH. In 2019 he joined SuperM. Baekhyun entered service in 2021 and returned in February 2023. His 2024 Hello World project arrived through INB100, the same label handling his current solo schedule. Like the other CBX members, he sits out the 2026 group release while negotiations continue.
Chanyeol
Park Chan-yeol joined SM after winning a 2008 contest and became the group’s main rapper. He trained as an actor before music took over and has appeared in multiple K-dramas and the upcoming film The Box. Chanyeol served from late 2020 until September 2022. He contributed to the 2025 SMTOWN album and will participate in both the 2026 album and the EXO’verse fan meeting. His fashion presence continues through brand campaigns and runway appearances.
Kai
Kim Jong-in, known as Kai, began dancing at eight and signed with SM at thirteen. He made his acting debut in the web drama Choco Bank and later starred in the Japanese series Spring Has Come. Kai entered service in 2023 and returned on February 10, 2025. He joins the six-member lineup for Reverxe and the December fan meeting, bringing the precise choreography that has defined EXO stages since the beginning.
Sehun
Oh Se-hun, the group’s maknae, auditioned for two years before joining EXO in 2012. He serves as lead rapper and dancer and has lined up film roles in Catman and The Pirates: Goblin Flag plus the drama Dear Archimedes. Sehun completed service on September 20, 2025, making him the last member to finish. He will appear at the 2026 fan meeting and on the new album, closing the full circle that began with his early casting at age twelve.
Inactive EXO members
The old inactive list no longer applies. Every member finished military duty by late 2025. Lay has rejoined for the 2026 projects, while Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin remain outside group activities until their contract matters with SM are settled. The six-member configuration therefore reflects both completed service and the current legal landscape rather than any temporary leave.
D.O.
Doh Kyung-soo, known as D.O., joined SM after winning a local singing contest. He appeared in the film Cart at the Toronto International Film Festival, voiced the animated feature Underdog, and will star in the upcoming movie The Moon. D.O. enlisted in May 2020 and returned in January 2021. He now participates in the six-member 2026 album and fan meeting, adding his signature power ballads to the new material.
Xiumin
Kim Min-seok, the eldest member, trained in Kendo, Taekwondo, Wushu, and fencing before music. He signed with SM after an unsuccessful JYP audition. Xiumin has balanced musical theater roles with variety appearances and released the solo track “You” shortly after enlisting in 2019. He completed service in December 2020 and issued the Interview X EP in 2025 through INB100. Contract discussions keep him from the 2026 group album, yet his solo catalog keeps expanding.
Suho
Kim Jun-myeon, known as Suho, trained at SM from 2005 and serves as leader and main vocalist. He has collaborated with Chen on “Beautiful Accident” and with jazz pianist Song Young-joo on “Curtain.” Suho starred in the musical The Man Who Laughs and released his solo EP Self-Portrait before enlisting. He returned in February 2022, joined the 2025 SMTOWN project, and now leads the six-member 2026 activities, guiding the group through its latest chapter.
