K-pop group EXO is moving forward with plans for a six-member comeback, continuing to exclude the subunit CBX from group activities amid ongoing contractual disputes. The group's appearance on Coupang Play's variety show "Sister Salon" has confirmed the current lineup, featuring Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay for the November 29 broadcast.
The variety show appearance comes as EXO prepares for their eighth studio album, scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026. The album will feature only the six members currently participating in group promotions, officially excluding CBX members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin, who are now managed under independent label INB100.
EXO's upcoming fan meeting "EXOverse" will take place twice on December 14 at Inspire Arena in Incheon, marking the group's first large-scale fan event in approximately one year and eight months since their 12th anniversary gathering. The event will showcase the group's hit songs, including their beloved winter classic "First Snow," along with performances of new music. Both shows sold out during presales, demonstrating EXO's continued strong appeal and commercial viability despite the reduced membership.
The exclusion of CBX stems from a complex legal dispute that began in 2023 when the three members filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment. They alleged that the agency failed to provide proper settlement records and enforced unfair contract terms. While the two parties eventually reached an agreement allowing CBX to maintain exclusive contracts with SM while having their individual activities managed by INB100, disputes over specific contract terms have persisted.
Despite CBX losing most of their legal battles, INB100 announced last month that it had accepted all conditions presented by SM Entertainment and clearly expressed its intention to reach a settlement. The label emphasized CBX's desire to participate in full group activities and their commitment to resolving the ongoing conflicts.
However, SM Entertainment has maintained a firm stance, arguing that resolving legal conflicts and returning to group activities are separate matters entirely. The agency stated that trust between CBX and other EXO members has been significantly damaged, making joint promotions impossible at this time. SM emphasized that "it would have been proper for the three members to first implement the existing agreement and work sincerely toward restoring trust."
In response to SM's position, INB100 has committed to continuing to honor the previous agreement while making every effort to restore trust with the remaining members and reach an amicable outcome with SM Entertainment. The label has repeatedly expressed CBX's strong desire to rejoin group promotions, but EXO's immediate future remains focused on the six-member configuration.
The current lineup includes both SM Entertainment artists and independent acts. While Suho, Kai, Chanyeol, and Sehun remain under SM Entertainment's management, D.O. operates under his own independent label, and Lay, who previously left the team to pursue activities in China, will also participate in the upcoming activities. This mixed management structure demonstrates the group's ability to collaborate across different agencies, making CBX's exclusion more notably tied to the trust and legal issues rather than purely contractual logistics.
As EXO prepares for their highly anticipated 2026 comeback, fans are closely monitoring whether the ongoing conflict between CBX and the other members will find resolution. The success of the upcoming fan meeting and variety show appearances will likely influence the group's momentum heading into their studio album release, while the industry watches to see if this six-member format becomes EXO's permanent configuration or if reconciliation remains possible for the future.
