EXO are back with their eighth studio album, Reverxe, out January 19, 2026. It’s a nine-track release led by the title song “Crown,” per the album’s published details and track lineup for the album’s track lineup and rollout. But the headline fans latched onto fast was “EXO REVERXE 6 members”—because this era is being promoted by Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay.
The “Crown” music video and comeback schedules reflect that six-member setup. Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (EXO-CBX) aren’t participating amid an ongoing dispute with SM Entertainment. Still, Reverxe landed strong overseas responses, including No. 1 rankings in multiple regions and double platinum certification in China, alongside a comeback showcase at Kyung Hee University.
Why CBX are absent: what’s confirmed (and what isn’t)
What’s confirmed publicly: CBX’s dispute with SM has been framed around revenue sharing and contract transparency, and it remained unresolved through the comeback window. Multiple reports and statements link that ongoing situation directly to why CBX are missing from group activities tied to Reverxe and “Crown.”
What’s not confirmed is the behind-the-scenes detail fans keep speculating about—private negotiations, specific terms, and who offered what. SM has described the situation as a “breakdown of trust,” while CBX have said they intended to cooperate with requested schedules, even as they contested SM’s characterization, as reflected in the exchanged statements about their exclusion.
SM cited a “breakdown of trust,” while CBX said they still intended to cooperate with requested schedules—two positions that remain at the center of the controversy.
A quick timeline (from renewals to “EXO without CBX”)
- Dec 2022: Seven EXO members renewed contracts for five additional years (as widely cited in entertainment reporting).
- Dec 2025: SM announces upcoming EXO activities will proceed with six members, excluding CBX due to legal issues, and reiterates trust concerns in follow-up commentary like its public stance on the dispute.
- Jan 19, 2026: Reverxe and “Crown” release with six participating members, matching the comeback’s confirmed lineup.
Lay’s return adds a bittersweet twist
“Crown” also marks Lay’s first full-group comeback participation since 2021. That’s a big deal for fans who’ve waited years to see him back in the mix. And yet, it lands with a sting: Lay is back, but OT9 still isn’t on the table right now.
Numbers check: sales chatter vs verified performance
Commercially, the rollout has clear wins internationally. At the same time, the controversy has supercharged debate over sales compared to EXO’s previous album Exist. Some coverage points to fan claims that Baekhyun’s absence affected demand, but pieces like sales-drop chatter around his exclusion can’t prove cause and effect on their own.
What to watch next
Now it comes down to updates. Fans are watching for any new official word from SM or CBX on mediation or court proceedings, and for how “Crown” stages and interviews continue under the “EXO REVERXE 6 members” lineup. Interest in the comeback is still high—people just want clearer, verifiable communication, without turning private negotiations into fandom guessing games.