Just passing by

I was holding out hope, given CBX was included in the summer post a few months ago, how they are now performing EXO songs in their concerts/shows/promotions when it wouldn't happen earlier this year. Because the lawsuit is completely unrelated to their contract as EXO under SM, because we were assured several times by the members under SM that all the members would take part in the comeback. Because everyone seemed to be wrapping their individual activities up to be done by December and the poster pointed back to their MAMA days. And above all, because they all had previously been tremendously committed to keep as many members as possible, given how many they lost in their earlier days.

But the facts that none of the CBX members liked the comeback posts, when even Kyungsoo and Lay did. Chanyeol saying all the members had finished recording their parts for the song and only he was missing. And of course, the failed mediation between CBX and SM. The lawsuit will go into trial and God knows how long that will take.

Tbh, I feel that regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, CBX is done in EXO. Even if the dispute is unrelated to their group contract, it just seems like SM would undo that contract before allowing them back, given that the comeback announcement did not push CBX to stand down in the mediation sessions (something I suspect happened 2 years ago with Cream Soda).

It really is a shame and a naive part of me still hopes that we will see them all together again, but my rational side says we have another TVXQ/JYJ situation in our hands. And even after they lost their two main vocalists, TVXQ kept going and they have been a 2 man group longer than they were 5. So what's stopping SM from doing to same to EXO?

The only way I see this changing is if the comeback fails. If the solo stans or EXO L whose bias is in CBX don't support it. And given how much CBX sells (specially Baekhyun) it could be significant. But it would be heartbreaking for the members still under SM, they have worked so hard and seem so excited about their first comeback in 2 years, it would be horrible to see it do badly. It sucks that we cannot let our discontent with SM known without harming SSKY in the process.

Personally, as a kpop fan for over 15 years who got into the genre with TVXQ, I am bracing myself for a permanent split and a change in musical style for EXO. Just like TVXQ could not really keep the exact same style as 2 members that they had as 5, I just don't see EXO being able to pull their old songs off without CBX. When one member of the vocal line was missing, the other two went to great lengths to cover for them and it clearly wore them out. Now with 2 out of 3 out of the lineup and Xiumin who provides background and support for so many songs, I just don't see it happening. The rest of the members are very solid singers and Kyungsoo is obviously amazing, but there is a reason why ChenBaekSoo are not only EXO's main vocalists, but some of the best in Kpop.

So I am bracing myself for a change in style, specially with the comeback being a winter song. I don't know if I will like it, maybe I will, maybe I won't. It's intriguing yet sad to think about. Guess only time will tell.