EXO REVERXE Comeback: Why Chanyeol’s “Thanks To” Message Triggered a Fan War

The wait is over, but the drama is just beginning. On January 21, 2026, EXO officially released their 8th studio album, 'REVERXE.' However, instead of a unified celebration, the comeback has highlighted deep fractures within one of K-pop's most legendary fandoms.

The Shadows Over EXO’s REVERXE Launch

The primary cause of the tension is the absence of CBX members—Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin. The trio is currently locked in a legal battle with SM Entertainment over contract terms and profit distribution. SM previously cited the ongoing lawsuit as the reason why it was "impossible" for the three to participate in this group comeback.

Chanyeol’s Public Gratitude Toward SM Leadership

The controversy reached a boiling point when Chanyeol's personal message in the 앨범 was revealed. In the "Thanks To" section, he specifically thanked CEO Tak Young Joon, the very executive directly involved in the legal dispute against his fellow EXO members. Chanyeol wrote, "I would like to sincerely thank CEO Tak Young Joon and everyone at SM from the bottom of my heart."

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted with a mix of disappointment and anger. Some called the move a "new low," questioning how he could name-drop a man suing his friends of 13 years. Others, however, defend it as a standard professional courtesy to the head of the company managing the project.