EXO is officially back in motion — but not without turbulence. Six members — Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay — are set to reunite for Travel the World on a Ladder Season 5, marking their first full group appearance on the show since 2018. The series, which begins filming this month, coincides with the group’s long-awaited fan meeting, “EXO’verse,” happening December 14 at Incheon’s Inspire Arena.
For EXO-L, the announcement feels like a long-deferred homecoming. Lay’s participation — his first in years — adds an emotional charge, symbolizing a near-complete circle after years of solo pursuits, military enlistments, and industry shifts.
A Bittersweet Return
While fans celebrate six members on stage together again, the absence of Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (collectively known as CBX) is impossible to overlook. SM Entertainment confirmed that the trio will not participate in the upcoming fan meeting or EXO’s next studio album, expected in early 2026.
According to SM, the exclusion stems from an ongoing legal dispute. The company claims CBX failed to honor a clause in their prior settlement that requires them to pay 10 percent of their solo earnings to SM. In a press statement, SM cited this as a “serious loss of trust,” saying it had damaged both the group and its fan base.
CBX’s label, INB100, issued a swift response, clarifying that the members have not refused to pay the percentage. They argue that the payment will be made once “all legal procedures are finalized,” emphasizing that the matter is about timing and due process, not defiance.
At its core, the dispute reflects unresolved tension between artist independence and legacy contracts — a familiar issue in K-pop’s maturing business landscape.
The Show Goes On
Despite the split, EXO’s six active members are pressing ahead. The EXO’verse fan meeting will serve as both a reunion and a relaunch — a symbolic moment of renewal for a group now in its twelfth year. Early concept teasers hint at a nostalgic yet forward-looking event, balancing old hits with new content tied to their upcoming eighth full-length album.
Meanwhile, Travel the World on a Ladder Season 5 promises to reignite the group’s onscreen chemistry. The travel-reality series, beloved for its candid humor and chaotic dynamics, last featured EXO as a full unit in 2018. Lay’s inclusion this season — his first since his extended hiatus from Korean broadcasts — is already generating massive buzz online.
For longtime fans, it’s not just another variety show; it’s a visible reminder of EXO’s enduring bond despite years of individual ventures and legal entanglements.
What Lies Ahead
EXO’s return comes at a transitional time for the group and for K-pop itself. The members who remain under SM are balancing their veteran status with a changing industry where artist autonomy and contract fairness are increasingly under public scrutiny.
If all goes as planned, their eighth studio album will arrive in the first quarter of 2026, serving as both a continuation and a test of resilience. With Lay back in the fold and six members carrying the torch, EXO is set to remind fans why their legacy endures — even when unity is tested.
For EXO-L, it’s a moment of mixed emotions: relief that the group’s heartbeat continues, and hope that one day all nine will share the stage again. Until then, EXO’verse represents both a celebration and a promise — that even through legal storms and shifting labels, EXO’s story isn’t finished.
