EXO’s Comeback Flamed For “Trash” Music, “Slop” Music Video, And Lack Of CBX
EXO officially revealed the music video teaser for “Crown,” the title track of their highly anticipated comeback album REVERXE.
However, instead of excitement, the teaser has sparked heavy backlash from netizens, with many expressing disappointment over the song, visuals, and overall direction of the release.
Shortly after the teaser dropped, criticism flooded social media and online communities. A major point of contention is the sound of “Crown,” which many listeners say barely resembles EXO’s established musical style. Some even accused the group of abandoning the identity that once set them apart in K-Pop.
genuinely horrible… one of the worst downfalls in kpop https://t.co/qovfosfjtS
— 🐸 (@trr0r) January 17, 2026
Trash music and AI
Let's disband https://t.co/Mxdbih5fA0— B84a 💫 (@BaekMyLov) January 17, 2026
ai generated music video, 3 members are missing and this song isnt giving exo at all…i cant bro its so over https://t.co/o0amOotypp pic.twitter.com/LaI2gvCWpH
— G (@adorebyune) January 17, 2026
atp they should just let exo rest in peace. icb we went to immaculate music and concepts to 4th/5th gen reject ai slop mv. not to mention they lost 2/3 of their main vocalists https://t.co/BbdHjkYvyp
— zee (@utadaliu) January 17, 2026
The music video teaser itself has also come under fire. Several scenes have been hit with AI-use allegations, with viewers claiming the visuals look artificial and low-effort.
kicked half the members out of the group and the new mv is riddled with ai slop. big thank you to sm entertainment for destroying exo, just like they destroy everything else they touch.
— エイミー 🌙🪽 (@chajatta) January 17, 2026
OH MY FOCKING GODDDD THIS HAS AI WRITTEN ALL OVER😭😭😭😭😭 we're witnessing exo's downfall https://t.co/2IUNiWd1fO
— aqi (@byuntakumi) January 17, 2026
No I genuinely need y’all to understand this is so SO damn ugly
— Someone (@dugudugugecho) January 17, 2026
If it’s 80 degrees in january u know why now https://t.co/V5yNCc0A2C
— shy (@zacyino) January 17, 2026
Another day of reminding you that AI isn’t art and you are not an artist for using it https://t.co/Wwy4DqE55o
— dr.min (@bbhluvd) January 17, 2026
The backlash isn’t entirely new. When the comeback was first announced in late November, fans immediately raised concerns over the absence of CBX members Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin. Their exclusion sparked intense debate at the time, and the teaser’s release has only reignited those frustrations.
Many netizens say the group now feels incomplete, arguing that EXO’s identity has been weakened without CBX. Combined with the controversial music style and AI allegations, the disappointment appears to be widespread. It remains to be seen whether the full release of REVERXE will change public opinion or further confirm netizens’ concerns.
