Baekhyun Instagram Explodes As EXO Comeback

In a recent announcement made by the S.M. Entertainment, the K-pop group EXO is expected to make a comeback in the forthcoming December 2025. However, the EXO comeback is without the three-member sub-unit CBX. Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin have terminated their contracts with the S.M. Entertainment following accounting issues, delayed payments, and long renewal contracts. Fans flooded Baekhyun’s Instagram with immense love and support, while some suggested reconciling with the entertainment agency to make EXO again a nine-member K-pop group.

With the release of Sehun and Kai from the mandatory military enlistment, EXO is set to make its long-awaited comeback in December 2025. This could be a fan meet event or the release of new music. Stay connected for more information.

Why EXO Postponed their Comeback?

EXO postponed their comeback in 2023 because of the mandatory military enlistment of two members, Kai and Sehun. In South Korea, every male between the ages of 18-28 years is required to serve in the military for a period of 18-21 months. Additionally, there has been a legal battle between the three artists and the agency over multiple issues like accounting practices, terms of contract, delayed payments, etc.

Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, alternatively known as the sub-unit CBX, terminated their contracts with the K-pop management agency S.M. Entertainment. This resulted in the indefinite postponement of the EXO comeback and the start of a legal battle between the two parties, CBX and S.M. Entertainment.

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Kai’s Mandatory Military Service Results in Short Hiatus

The nine-member K-pop group, including Baekhyun, Chen, Xiumin, D.O., Suho, Chanyeol, Sehun, and Lay, dropped off one of its members, Kai, for mandatory military enlistment in June 2023. This mandatory military enlistment and legal troubles with S.M. Entertainment postponed the EXO 11th anniversary celebration.

CBX has been members of the group since 2012, and their termination of contract gave a jolt to the overall operations of the K-pop group and delayed its comeback. However, with the release of Kai from mandatory military enlistment on February 10, 2025, and Sehun’s discharge on September 20, 2025. EXO is expected to make a comeback in December 2025, but without Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin.

EXO-CBX and SM Entertainment Legal Battle

EXO’s comeback was scheduled by S.M. Entertainment back in June 2023, but the comeback was postponed indefinitely after three of its members, Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, filed for termination of contract with the agency. CBX cited a lack of transparency over accounting practices, delayed payments, and long contract renewals as the primary reasons for the termination of the contract.

In response, S.M. Entertainment denied any claims of not providing accounting details and termed contracts and agreements as being based on the standard knit by the Fair Trade Commission. On top of it, the Supreme Court also acknowledges the contract and contracts are not created in a hurry but take a long time period of discussion and mutual understanding between the agency and the artists.

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EXO Comeback without CBX and Fans’ Reaction

Recently, S.M. Entertainment announced the EXO comeback without Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin as a result of their termination of contract bid and legal battle against the agency. The decision shocked many of the K-pop group’s fans, and they immediately turned to Instagram to release their frustration and to show all their love for Baekhyun and the other two EXO members – Chen and Xiumin. Many fans supported his decision against the agency, while others recommended reconciling and making EXO a full nine-member group again. There are some comments on Baekhyun’s recent Instagram post.

EXO-CBX Statement Faces Criticism

On October 29, the CBX trio managing firm INB100 released a statement explaining the delay in the EXO full group comeback in December. In a statement, INB100 highlighted a detailed timeline of talks with SM Entertainment about the comeback. Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin met agency representatives on July 29, 2025, to discuss the full group comeback and rescheduled all their schedules to prioritize group activity, but were met with an announcement of a fan meet and release of a new album without their participation.

However, Netizens criticized the move and labeled it as hypocrisy of the group, its members, and agency owners to gain undue sympathy from the fans. One of the fans quoted, “Don’t be ridiculous. If they truly wanted a full-group comeback, they should’ve ended this mess the first time. Do they think fans are stupid? Just quit EXO already. I don’t even want to see them.” While others raised statements asking whether the group thinks we’re idiots.