EXO returns this year

THE leader of the South Korean boy band EXO, Suho, announced on Sunday that the group will be making its long-awaited comeback this year.

EXO is known for their famous songs including Growl (2013), Monster (2016), and Love Shot (2018).

In a New Year’s Day Instagram post, Suho uploaded a photo of the group to greet EXO fans and tease them about the group’s plan to return to the music scene. 

“Happy new year 2023! EXO will make a comeback in 2023,” Suho wrote.

Other details about EXO’s comeback, including the concept and album release date, are still unknown. 

Fans excited

Despite this, fans were delighted upon hearing the news. 

They are also anticipating the group’s tours, variety show appearances, and other full group activities.

Who is EXO

EXO is a nine-member boy group composed of Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun. The group is well-known for producing and performing songs extensively in Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin.

EXO debuted in April 2012 with its first mini album Mama. Originally, the group consisted of 12 members, but Chinese members Luhan, Tao, and Kris left the group in 2014 and 2016.

In 2020, the group’s label, SM Entertainment, produced an album called 1 Billion Views with EXO’s second sub-unit EXO-SC composed of members Sehun and Chanyeol. 

However, it has been three years since EXO released its last album OBSESSION as a full group.

Why the hiatus

The group took a break in 2019 to allow members Xiumin, D.O, Suho, Chen, and Chanyeol to fulfill their mandatory military service. Another EXO member, Baekhyun, is still in the process of completing his military duties and is set to be discharged on February 5.

Kai, Sehun off to military duty

Meanwhile, Kai and Sehun are expected to enlist in the military anytime soon. Lay, on the other hand, is a Chinese EXO member and is not required to fulfill military duties.

What about Lay?

In April 2022, Lay left the group’s label SM Entertainment during EXO’s 10th year anniversary. The Chinese pop star announced his departure from the label with a hand-written letter dedicated to fans.

Although fans were worried Lay would also exit the group, this doesn’t seem to be the case as the Chinese member noted that he will “always be the Lay” when the other members need him.

“It’s time to say goodbye as an employee of SM. It’s also my new beginning as a 30-year-old. But I will always be the Lay when my members need me. I’m your family member in China, Zhang Yixing,” Lay wrote.

Banner courtesy: Suho’s Instagram