Know everything about EXO? Learn the craziest facts about its members

EXO earned the nickname “Kings of K-pop” from more than one outlet after their 2012 debut, when the group split into EXO-K and EXO-M and sang in Korean and Chinese. Legal departures thinned the roster, and today the active lineup shifts between projects. The remaining members still deliver the same R&B-tinged electronica that hooked EXO-Ls from the start, and that nickname for the fandom still circulates at fan meetings and streaming parties. If you are still picking a bias, the updated snapshots below might help you decide.

Group Evolution and Current Lineup

EXO now promotes as a six-member unit for the eighth studio album REVERXE, released in January 2026. The active roster includes Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay. Xiumin, Baekhyun, and Chen operate separately as CBX under their own label, INB100, after contract disputes with SM Entertainment. Lay rejoined the 2026 album cycle following years of limited group appearances, though some dates carried scheduling notes about unavoidable circumstances. The split keeps the full nine-member history intact on profiles while the current stage roster reflects the new reality.

Military Service Completion and Comeback

Every member has finished mandatory service. Kai was discharged in February 2025 and Sehun in September 2025. The completed timeline cleared the way for the December 2025 fan meeting EXO’verse and the January 2026 album drop. Pre-release single “I’m Home” arrived ahead of the full record, and the group booked EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon dates for 2026, starting with Manila in July. Fans now track the six-member schedule alongside separate CBX releases.

Solo Careers and Side Projects Update

Baekhyun heads INB100 with the rest of CBX and continues solo music outside the main group cycle. D.O. balances acting roles with solo releases under a new agency. Kai launched a solo debut and remains active in both group and individual schedules. Lay keeps a busy solo slate in China while stepping back into select EXO dates. These side projects give each member space to explore acting, production, and label work without pausing the larger EXO story.

EXO-L Community and Legacy

The fandom still uses the EXO-L tag at concerts, streaming events, and charity drives. Loyalty has held through lineup changes, military gaps, and subunit shifts. Recent fan meetings and tour announcements show steady turnout, and the nickname continues to appear in hashtags and lightsticks. The community keeps the original nine-member era alive in memory while supporting whoever is on stage for each project.

Kai  

Kai still logs long hours on video games and stays close with BTS’s Jimin. Japanese fans once called him “Sun-kissed Boy” for his skin tone, and the nickname lingers in fan edits. He bites his lower lip when he concentrates and lists Pirates of the Caribbean among his comfort watches. Fried chicken and roast duck remain his go-to orders. He was discharged from service in February 2025 and now appears in the six-member REVERXE promotions and the 2026 concert dates. Earlier dating rumors with BLACKPINK’s Jennie ended years ago; recent 2025 clips sparked fresh speculation but carried no confirmation of an ongoing relationship.

Baekhyun 

Baekhyun still refuses to name a single favorite food and continues to skip cucumbers despite old offers of cash from his mother. He coined the word “kkaepsong” for moments that feel like a pity, and members still tease him about the yelps he lets out before sleep. He now focuses on INB100 activities with CBX and sits out the 2026 SM-led group releases.

Chen 

Chen joined EXO-M last among the original members and still sticks his tongue out when he laughs. He once said he would have become a vocal trainer if idol life had not happened. At fansigns he remains the member most likely to laugh at every joke, even the corny ones, and he keeps the same warm approach with older fans. Chen now works under INB100 with the rest of CBX and does not appear on 2026 SM group releases.

D.O. 

D.O. credits his father’s art business for his creative streak and still thanks both parents for backing his music path. He stays quiet around new people yet turns playful once the group gathers. He continues to cook for members and check in on small details. Outside the group he balances acting projects with solo music under a new agency.

Chanyeol 

Chanyeol designed the original hexagon logo and still taps rhythms on any surface within reach. He keeps up charity work and stays even-tempered except when he misplaces an item. Once the object turns up, the calm returns. He remains one of the members quickest to tear up during emotional moments and now appears in the six-member lineup for REVERXE and the 2026 tour dates.

Sehun 

Sehun still jokes about the letter “s” giving him trouble despite his stage name. He once said he would wait past thirty to marry and hoped for a partner comfortable with traditional household roles and caring for parents. He remains close with Suho yet once asked him to leave their shared dorm over mess issues. Sehun was discharged in September 2025 and now joins the six-member promotions and upcoming concerts.

Suho  

Suho still draws comparisons to Super Junior’s Choi Siwon and clears his throat with a quick “Ah!” He practices Buddhism and acts as the group’s steady voice during disagreements. His idea of a dramatic proposal still involves shouting feelings in public, though he has also said he would consider an arranged match. He leads the current six-member promotions and keeps the peacekeeper role intact.

Lay 

Lay was briefly slated to lead EXO-M before the role went to Kris. After years focused on solo work, he rejoined the 2026 album cycle and December 2025 fan meetings. Some profiles still list him while others note his removal from SM’s site. He once fell during a rehearsal aerial trick, stood up quickly, and insisted on trying again; fans still worry he pushes himself too hard between Chinese schedules and EXO dates.

Xiumin 

Xiumin keeps the nickname “Bao zi,” or little bun, along with “Mandoo” and “King of Detail.” He has a younger sister whose privacy he protects at his mother’s request. Members once voted him least likely to cry, yet he remains wary of cats after an early scare. He still receives manga gifts from fans and lists Super Junior’s JJ Lin as a role model. Xiumin now centers on INB100 solo work and CBX projects and does not appear in the current six-member lineup.