The winter of 2025 has brought with it a sense of nostalgic warmth that only the “Kings of K-pop” can deliver. After years of military enlistments, solo ventures, and varying degrees of group hiatus, EXO has officially signaled its return with the surprise winter ballad “I’m Home.” Premiered during the highly anticipated “EXO’verse” fan meeting at Incheon’s Inspire Arena on December 13–14, 2025, the track is more than just a seasonal single; it is a profound declaration of unity. While the group continues to navigate a complex internal landscape—operating as a six-member unit featuring Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and the long-awaited return of Lay—the message to the fandom remains clear: they are back. As they prepare to launch their eighth full-length album, “Reverxe,” in early 2026, the group is proving that despite the passage of time and the shifting tides of the industry, the “EXO-L” bond remains unbreakable.
The “I’m Home” Music Video Reveal
The release of the “I’m Home” music video on December 14, 2025, marked a cinematic return to the group’s classic winter aesthetic. Following in the footsteps of legendary carols like “First Snow” and “Miracles in December,” the new track is a pop ballad anchored by a delicate piano melody and lush string arrangements. The visuals are intentionally intimate, focusing on the six members in a cozy, domestic setting that mirrors the song’s lyrical themes of finding peace in a shared space. It is a reflective, quiet piece of art that prioritizes vocal nuance over flashy choreography, allowing the unique timbres of Suho and D.O. to lead the emotional charge.
Interestingly, SM Entertainment chose to release the music video as a standalone experience initially, keeping the audio off major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music for the first week. This strategy was designed to drive fans toward the visual story, turning the MV into a global trending event. For fans, seeing Lay Zhang back in the lineup was the highlight; though his participation in person has been limited by his solo schedule in China, his presence in the “I’m Home” visuals and vocals marks his first official group project with EXO in several years, fulfilling a long-standing promise to return “home.”
The “Reverxe” Album: A New Blueprint
While “I’m Home” serves as the emotional bridge, the true “main event” is the upcoming release of EXO’s eighth studio album, titled Reverxe. Scheduled for a global release on January 19, 2026, the album is expected to feature nine new tracks that span the group’s signature range, from powerful R&B to refined pop. The title itself suggests a “reverse” or a look back at their roots while moving forward into a new chapter. Pre-orders for the physical album launched immediately following the December fan meetings, with the new “Reverxe” logo—a sleek, geometric evolution of the classic EXO hexagon—already becoming a viral symbol of the era.
This album marks EXO’s first full-length group project since 2023’s Exist, and it comes at a pivotal time. With the members now in their thirties, the “Reverxe” era is expected to showcase a more mature, “veteran” side of the group. Producers have hinted at a sound that is both sophisticated and experimental, moving away from the high-energy “Monster”-esque concepts of their youth toward something more atmospheric and vocal-centric. It is a strategic pivot that honors their legacy while acknowledging the growth of both the artists and their global audience.
The “EXO’verse” and the 2026 World Tour
The “EXO’verse” fan meeting in Incheon wasn’t just a concert; it was a strategic launchpad. Over two days, tens of thousands of fans witnessed the first live performances of the new era, including a “First Snow” challenge that trended across TikTok and Instagram. During the event, the members dropped the biggest hint of all: a promise to “fill 2026 with EXO.” This has been widely interpreted by industry insiders as a confirmation of a 2026 World Tour, which would be their first major global trek in over five years.
While specific dates have yet to be finalized, the tour is expected to kick off in Seoul in the spring of 2026 before heading to major hubs in Japan, Southeast Asia, and North America. The challenge for the group remains their configuration; the “Reverxe” activities currently feature six members, as Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (CBX) remain entangled in ongoing contractual disputes with SM Entertainment regarding their solo activities under the INB100 label. Despite this divide, the “EXO’verse” event was designed to feel inclusive, with the performing members repeatedly emphasizing that “EXO is nine” in their hearts, even if the stage currently holds six.
Navigating the Internal Divide
The absence of the CBX trio from the December festivities and the upcoming album has left some fans with mixed emotions. The legal rift between SM Entertainment and the three vocalists has created a “split-screen” reality for the group. While Suho and the others move forward with the official 8th album, Baekhyun, Chen, and Xiumin have been pursuing successful solo tours and projects independently. However, the success of the “EXO’verse” fan meeting proves that the brand’s power is resilient. The “6-member” lineup has been praised for its vocal stability, particularly with D.O. and Chanyeol taking on larger parts of the melodic landscape.
As 2026 approaches, the goal for EXO seems to be stabilization. By releasing a high-quality studio album and embarking on a world tour, they are reclaiming their position as the “standard” in a fast-moving industry. The “I’m Home” project has successfully re-engaged the legacy fanbase while proving that the members’ individual solo successes have only strengthened the collective brand. For EXO, the new year isn’t about competing with the new generation of K-pop; it’s about proving that some icons are timeless, and that “home” is wherever the music brings them back together.
