They may have been incomplete at SMTOWN Live 2025, but Suho and Chanyeol proved EXO’s status as K-pop royalty even with just the two of them on stage.
On January 11, as SM Entertainment celebrated its 30th anniversary with a two-day concert in Seoul, the “K-pop Kings” released a reboot of the hit classic “Get It Up!” from HOT — and immediately received a deluge of praise online for their performance.
On Instiz and theqoo, netizens praised the duo for their live vocals.
“As expected, EXO sings live. That’s right. That’s it. That’s it,” one fan said.
“Even though there are only two, they fill it up really well,” echoed a Korean netizen.
“I lost interest in idols when EXO was around, so this is the first time I’ve seen them on stage. How can they be so good? They’re so damn good,” one viewer complimented.
Praise for Suho and Chanyeol’s visuals also flooded the sites as they performed their solo songs, “1 to 3” and “Hasta La Vista.”
“If you like band music, I recommend you listen to Suho’s album once. The songs are good. I wish he would continue making band music,” raved one K-netizen.
One commenter chimed in: “Oh, the live band. This is what a concert should be like.”
Meanwhile, a fan said they couldn’t take their eyes off the EXO leader. “Suho is really beautiful. I couldn’t concentrate on his dancing because I was looking at his face.”
As always, Chanyeol basked in a plethora of compliments on his voice and looks.
“He’s good. He also sings live. His face is beautiful too,” one fan said.
“This is the first time I’ve heard Chanyeol’s song and it’s better than I thought,” another netizen marveled. “He also sings well.”
Only Suho and Chanyeol attended EXO’s current nine members’ SMTOWN Live 2025, although Lay was able to attend the concert.
The Mando-pop star was seen singing along with the two during their performance of “The First Snow,” and also took a photo with them after their performance.
Sehun and Kai are currently serving in the military, while Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (collectively known as the CBX subunit) left SM Entertainment in 2023 and are now signed to INB100, a label founded by Baekhyun in the same year.
EXO is expected to finally make their comeback with the full group this 2025, as Suho hinted at during the anniversary concert.
EXO-Ls/Eris (EXO fans) also anticipate that Lay will take part in this comeback after his participation in EXO’s seventh EP and special album “Don’t Fight the Feeling” in 2021.
