On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), EXO fans EXO-L were enraged by the caption of a community thread regarding Lay.

On January 11, Pannchoa uploaded a post to X for a forum discussing Lay’s alleged participation in SM Entertainment’s upcoming 30th anniversary. Despite its intention to excite fans with Lay’s participation in the event, the page faced strong backlash for referring to him as a former EXO member.

The caption read: “Former EXO member Lay reveals he will be at SM’s 30th anniversary concert.”

This was followed by scathing comments from fans against the post. Many denounced the misinformation in question, even correcting the page according to which Lay had only left SM and not his group. Others also pointed to Lay’s ongoing efforts to maintain ties with the group.

“Lay is still a member of EXO. Do your research.” said one fan.

“He is not a former member,” another argued. “He just left the company but is still with the group.”

A third commented: “Still says he’s a member, like every day,”

A fourth noted: “I’m glad Lay will be attending SM’s 30th anniversary celebration. By the way, Lay is still a member of EXO, not an ex.”

Lay left SM on April 8, 2022, which was also the date of EXO’s 10th anniversary. “This decade is one of the greatest gifts I could have ever received,” she wrote in the post in a handwritten letter.