EXO’s latest promotional update—posted just as the CBX–SM Entertainment dispute flared again—has triggered backlash from fans and netizens who called the timing “tone-deaf” and “insensitive.” The post highlighted current group activity without CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin), fueling criticism that the rollout sidelined the trio while their legal conflict with SM remains unresolved.
Why the timing set off alarms
On November 7, 2025, coverage of EXO’s social update—featuring current promotions and behind-the-scenes content—spread quickly across fandom media. Many pointed out that it landed in the immediate wake of new statements and headlines about CBX’s absence from upcoming group activities and the broader legal deadlock, making the post feel like a deliberate push that ignored the elephant in the room.
The dispute in brief (and what changed recently)
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Origins (June 2023): CBX challenged elements of their SM contracts, citing settlement transparency and unfair terms.
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Late October 2025 rulings & statements: Multiple decisions went against CBX, and SM reiterated that a previously agreed 10% revenue share from CBX’s individual activities had not been paid—framing “trust” as the barrier to joint schedules. CBX’s side said they intended to pay upon formal dispute resolution to enable full-group work.
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Activities without CBX: As fan-meeting and comeback talk ramped up, media noted lineups excluding CBX (even as Lay’s return drew attention), intensifying the sense of an “OT6 reality” for now.
What the promo post signaled (to fans)
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Perception of sidelining: Because the post promoted group activity while CBX’s status remained in limbo, many read it as the company—and, by extension, the group’s channels—normalizing a CBX-less EXO.
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Communication gap: Fans contrasted the sleek promo with murkier updates about mediation and conditions for full-group schedules, seeing a mismatch between marketing polish and the reality of member participation.
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Escalating sentiment: Aggregated fan reactions ranged from pleas for clear, unified statements to anger at both the agency and (in some corners) the members posting amid legal turbulence.
The bigger industry picture
This flare-up sits inside a broader year of contract and governance fights across K-pop, where court decisions and “trust” narratives can shape public opinion and even market reactions. In SM’s case, headlines noted that stock performance didn’t instantly reward legal wins—suggesting fan sentiment and optics still weigh heavily on valuation and planning.
What to watch next
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Concrete path to full-group activity: CBX’s camp has said they aim for resolution and compliance to unlock full-group schedules; SM maintains payment and trust are prerequisites. Any verified payment timeline or joint statement would be a turning point.
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Official messaging cadence: If EXO or SM pair future promos with transparent updates on member participation, that could cool tempers. Absent that, every teaser risks reopening the debate.
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Event rosters & releases: Fan-meeting lineups, comeback materials, and press notes will be read closely for signs of inclusion—or continued separation.
Bottom line
The post itself wasn’t unusual for an idol group ramping up activity—but its timing was. Against an unresolved CBX–SM conflict (with fresh rulings and dueling statements still in the feed), the promo felt to many like a narrative push toward EXO-without-CBX. Until there’s transparent movement on the dispute—and clarity on who’s actually participating—every glossy update may be met with more scrutiny than excitement.
