EXO Is Reportedly Making A Full Group Comeback — But SM Entertainment Faces Criticism Over Its Treatment Of The Group
EXO is reportedly set to make a comeback this year, and fans couldn’t be happier. Yet, amidst the online celebrations, SM Entertainment has come under fire as fans criticize its handling of the group.
Seven of EXO’s nine members reunited onstage at the annual SMTOWN LIVE winter concert on January 1. They performed the group’s iconic hit “Love Shot,” going instantly viral as they sent EXO-Ls into meltdown.
the activity for this video is wild everyone really waited for exo 🤭 pic.twitter.com/87O6Ycs5gY
— ari 💌 (@oshcuddles) January 3, 2023
EXO LOVE SHOT 2023 😭 AAAA I FEEL FAINT 🫠😵💫 pic.twitter.com/EjsSuLJGi8
— ⋆｡˚ iciel ☁︎ ˚｡⋆｡ (@baekwoniee) January 1, 2023
EXO LOVE SHOT IN 2023!!!!!!!!! 😭😭😭🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/13APYZfWQc
— klau ⚖️ (@kokokbop) January 1, 2023
But while their performance of “Love Shot” and “First Snow” already had all eyes on them, they thrilled fans even more after deciding to spoil some exciting comeback news.
Kai: EXO is making a comeback ~ Can't stop it~ There's not much time left! Maybe it's a full-length album~
Suho: You are so excited?
Kai: I love it! It's so nice that EXO members dancing together. There will be more good news, please wait a little. Ilypic.twitter.com/ssBtCJLomX— _61bbh 'ㅅ' (@sbbbh56) December 31, 2022
Leader Suho even posted about it on his Instagram…
…leaving EXO-Ls reeling over the possibilities.
Looking forward to what will be EXO’s concept for this upcoming comeback 🤩🔥 They always have the best concepts 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7bzQnIh9hV
— klau ⚖️ (@kokokbop) January 5, 2023
need exo to stay away from cute concept for this COMEBACK idc we need obsession we need monster back pic.twitter.com/s45XkNSzVK
— 🕴️ (@dazaijd) January 3, 2023
Baekhyun is set to end his military service this year, making it possible that he might also join his members for the reported comeback.
Spring in Korea typically lasts from March to May and since the news article mentioned that EXO’s full group comeback after Baekhyun’s military discharge is expected to be after spring, we can assume that their comeback will be anytime from June 2023 onwards~🥹😭
— 쉰花 ❄️ (@xunhuas) January 5, 2023
Yet, there has also been criticism from fans aimed at SM Entertainment. EXO-Ls were already disappointed to see that, despite having gone instantly viral, EXO’s performances at SMTOWN LIVE 2023 were not uploaded by the company—while other groups’ were.
literally what's wrong with SM everyone was hyping love shot and the first snow stages but they ignored and dropped other SM artists videos on YouTube but exo now everyone going crazy over exo cb news but they still ignoring….
— 🕴️ (@dazaijd) January 5, 2023
SM uploaded at least one stage video for a lot of the other sm artists but ofc not EXO. Can't risk them outshining their rookies….
— sue (@exobvius) January 2, 2023
But the bigger concern is that SM Entertainment has remained silent on the subject. An official confirmation from the company has yet to be made, which has led fans to believe that the group is not receiving support from them.
exo being the only ones to talk about their comeback they knew sm wasn’t gonna do shit for them
— nila 🦋 wzh fans america (@xiuyangis) January 1, 2023
Not only that, but fans also believe that EXO announced the comeback themselves to ensure it even happened.
While it’s unlikely that the comeback will happen without the company’s support, hopefully, an official announcement will be coming soon!
