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EXO's leader Suho ignited excitement among fans with his recent announcement at the SM Town Live concert on January 11, 2025. He revealed plans for EXO's much-anticipated return in 2025, following members Kai and Sehun's military discharge.
During his speech at the event, Suho hinted at plans for their upcoming comeback, saying,
"Sehun and Kai will be discharged from the military soon and they'll be back! So this year 2025, please look forward to EXO!"
EXO-Ls couldn't contain their excitement after Suho's announcement at the SM Town Live concert. Social platforms exploded with heartfelt messages, memes, and the announcement trending shortly after the event. One EXO-L commented,
Trending
"the nation's group is coming back!!"
"Yas 2025 indeed EXO comeback a group comeback," posted another EXO-L on X.
"There was never a year i haven't looked forward to you guys "you guys are my first love 😭,"" wrote one fan.
"My dear EXO @weareoneEXO, I am still loyally, faithfully, unwaveringly waiting for you to comeback. 🥰🥰 I listen to a lot of other music around, but I'm still waiting for you only 😚💕," said an EXO-L.
"That's exciting news from Suho about EXO! It's great to hear that , especially with Kai and Sehun coming back after their military service." Read another comment.
Fans shared their plans to attend future concerts and support the group's activities. Many expressed their eagerness to see Kai and Sehun rejoin the group.
"WE DEFINITELY GETTING EXO CB THIS YEAR AND IT'S OT9 🤧🙌🙌," shared one EXO-L.
"There's gonna be so many tears 😭😭😭😭 / I can't wait for mothership to reunite 😭😭#EXO," remarked one fan.
"Please come on, create lots of group moments in 2025, not just during EXO's anniversary fanmeet. Please we really need you guys as a group again🙏😭😭😭," mentioned an X user.
"If it doesn't happen, I'll go to Korea after this man with a camera and a recorder and say "I want an album and an MV now, get on with it" I love you," added another fan.
EXO's Suho teases full-group comeback post-military service completion
On December 27, 2024, EXO's leader Suho shared updates about the group's future during the 9th Asia Artist Awards (AAA 2024) held in Thailand. Suho, who starred in the K-drama The Crown Prince is Gone in April and released his third mini-album Point Line Plane (1 to 3) in May, received two prestigious awards: Best Artist and Best Actor.
During his acceptance speech, Suho expressed his gratitude and hinted at EXO's upcoming reunion.
"Once Sehun completes his service, all members will have fulfilled their military duty. EXO will return as a full group to meet our fans again," he said.
Suho also teased an exciting project for the group in 2025, saying,
"I hope to meet you with another great project in 2025. Please continue to look forward to EXO' return."
EXO members are completing their mandatory military service one by one, paving the way for a full-group comeback. Xiumin, the first to enlist, served from May 7, 2019, to December 6, 2020. D.O. followed shortly after, enlisting on July 1, 2019, and discharged on January 25, 2021.
Suho joined on May 14, 2020, and completed his service on February 13, 2022. Chen served from October 26, 2020, to April 25, 2022, while Chanyeol's service lasted from March 29, 2021, to September 28, 2022. Baekhyun enlisted on May 6, 2021, and returned to civilian life on February 5, 2023.
Currently, Kai and Sehun are the only members serving the mandatory military service. Kai began his duties on May 11, 2023, and is expected to be discharged in early 2025. Sehun, the last member to enlist, starts his service on December 21, 2023, and is slated to complete it by September 2025.
For the unversed, EXO is a South Korean-Chinese boy band formed by SM Entertainment in 2011 and debuted in 2012. Originally a 12-member group split into EXO-K (Korean) and EXO-M (Mandarin), they now consist of nine members: Suho, Xiumin, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun.
Their 2013 album XOXO, featuring Growl, sold over one million copies, a feat unmatched in 12 years. In 2018, Don't Mess Up My Tempo became their highest-charting album on the US Billboard 200. In 2023, Exist sold over two million copies, becoming their best-selling album. Known for their Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese tracks, EXO is celebrated as the "Nation's Pick" and "Kings of K-pop."
SM Town Live 2025 celebrated 30th Anniversary of SM Entertainment
SM Entertainment's musical collective, SMTown, is celebrating the company's 30th anniversary with the SMTown Live 2025 Concert. The event, scheduled for January 11 and 12, 2025, features a star-studded lineup of K-pop acts under SM Entertainment.
The concert is set to be streamed online, with a pre-stage and special stage available for free on Melon and the SMTown official YouTube channel with real-time subtitles in four languages (Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese). The streaming schedule is as follows:
- January 11, 2025 at 5 pm KST
- January 12, 2025 at 5 pm KST
The performance lineup for SMTown Live 2025 include acts such as H.O.T.'s Kangta, BoA, TVXQ, Girls' Generation's Taeyeon and Hyoyeon, SHINee, NCT 127, WayV, aespa, RIIZE, NCT WISH, and naevis, among others. Notably, on January 11, 2025, EXO's Chanyeol and Suho performed The First Snow together, alongside several other performances.
