EXO’s upcoming comeback has become a hot topic of debate online, after initial sales data indicated a sharp drop in pre-orders compared to the group’s previous releases. The controversy has largely centred around the absence of Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin – CBX – from what was originally promoted as a “full group” comeback. Fans were excited to see the entire group come together after a long while to release the new album; however, due to internal conflicts, it was later announced that CBX will not be participating in the album release. Read on to know more.
Is EXO’s Comeback Suffering Due To Baekhyun’s Absence?
EXO announced their new album REVERXE to be released on January 19, 2026. Many fans took this news with excitement, but it also brought back some of the controversy surrounding the three members who had been excluded from the project due to the ongoing legal dispute between SM Entertainment and CBX.
This lukewarm reception seems to be mirrored in the early pre-orders. As per data from Ktown4u, EXO’s 2023 album EXIST secured more than 180,000 copies on pre-orders within the first 24 hours. Meanwhile, REVERXE has reportedly topped only over 10,000 pre-orders during the same period on the platform. Although pre-orders do differ according to timing, promotional strategies, and market trends, the stark contrast has been thrown into the limelight.
Some fans have blamed this on the absence of CBX, especially Baekhyun, who many consider one of the strongest-selling members of the EXO group. Baekhyun’s solo albums have previously set high sales records, and some consider his presence a significant factor in the commercial performance of the group.
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Others say it’s not quite that simple. Several K-pop acts have seen lower physical sales this year, with changing consumption habits, growing album prices and shifts in the way global fandoms function being cited as factors. These fans warn not to pull direct conclusions based on early pre-order numbers alone.
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