Dear Exo-L...

...our beloved Exo has been through so much and regardless of it all, we still have 9 members as 6 Exo group or 3 CBX members or 9 Exo and CBX members depending on how you feel and who you support.

Exo was bound to be affected by the drastic changes at SM as their most successful boy group of all time in many ways. There are mixed reviews about their recent comeback and I don't expect SM to give them better music than REVERXE because they are more profit oriented now than ever, since their 2023 SM 3.0 strategy changes (the tume when CBX started having issues with SM) and now their SM Next 3.0 where idols get promoted according to their profitability and not seniority or legacy and newer idols i.e. Aespa, Riize, Nct and H2H are given priority rather than senior idols. To me, REVERXE was well executed and it's mostly as a result of SM's contractual obligation to Exo as a group and of Exo to Exo-L as a fandom, not because SM thinks Exo deserve better or the besr music.

We've seen senior idols like FX, Shinee, SuJu, and Red Velvet members leave, including the legendary BoA meaning a lot has changed at SM following the hostile takeover from LSM and his management style where all seniors and legendary idols were worshipped and treated like Royalty. Exo was always going to be affected as well somehow. I didn't expect them to lose members seeing how Suho said they'd stick together whether at SM or not!

I believe that the 2023 SM management dispute led to the CBX legal battles with SM that also started the same year where they got information about the issues in their contracts or used it as an opportunity to try and do something about it. I don't see any reason why CBX would throw away 10+ years of hardwork just to lose their SM favour or opportunity to work as Exo.

The fandom is torn apart, I don’t blame it on the 3 or 6 Exo members but on their management and poor management of the SM management dispute in general.

It's sad to see 9 hard working men and their fans torn apart. I believe CBX was played, or used to brake apart the group and fandom either to cause damage to SM or LSM depending on who would lose the most. And, it seems, they had to give up on so much or lose big time to stay with SM or to do nothing about it.

Whatever happened, I hope Exo-L are strong and adapt to the new normal and keep supporting Exo or focus on the positive things about Exo and try to be happy. Nothing lasts forever, there are always going to be bad and good times. We've gone through so much already since 2014, only 2 years after Exo's debut, it's been a heartbreaking aa well as healing journey for us. And, I hope that Exo are strong enough to carry through without heavy feelings and enjoy performing to us always as 3, 6 or 9.

XOXO

ExoLTaglist

Quote from Exo_bunnie

I didn't choose your option because I disagree with the notion we shouldn't fight. I will go with heartbroken, never give up hope but choose your battles wisely. Learn when to compromise, when to give in and when to push it.

There are always 2 sides to a story. Because we don't know the whole story it's best to let our boys work it out themselves. They are big boys now and we just have to trust them. We can convey our wish to them but not force them to do our will.

I agree 100%

You know, I keep wondering whether they chose to leave because it was the best option for them.

And, I'm adding your option the poll.

Edit: About fighting, I was talking about not fighting each other as a fandom and, you know, understanding their position, not picking sides and letting them work it out is one way to not give up for me. It's one way to not let the unknown come between us or destroy Exo.

Quote from Exo_bunnie

Yes I think I know. I was pondering on no. 3 and 4. But also I wanted to pick both but I decided to pick 4. Because I will support all 9 of them in whatever path they choose in their career not so much for surviving. They are talented individually and I don't believe they will have that problem. So, I wanted to pick a positive choice. Haha I don't know is that makes sense.

I don't want to pick heartbroken because yes I was initially but now I am not. Heartbroken sounds like there is no joy and sad and no hope. But I don't want to feel that. I want to enjoy and celebrate and know that even if things don't work out it is not an end. There are many new things to look forward to with the boys whether together or individually and many more music and projects to come. There are endless possibilities. And they will be busy and happy and we will be happy with them. I don't know if that makes sense. Haha.

Keeping it positive is the way to go.