Even before EXO make their long-awaited return next month, the comeback has been plagued by controversy. The entire group isn’t participating, with key members sidelined due to contractual issues with SM Entertainment. Because of this, it’s hard to be totally excited about what’s in store, but the promotion machine continues to chug along regardless with pre-release I’m Home arriving just in time for winter.
EXO have become synonymous with the winter season, delivering a number of hits this time of year. Most notably, their First Snow has become a perennial favorite in Korea, currently lodged in the top ten despite being released over a decade ago. I’m Home aims for a similar sound, offering soft melodies urged along by the occasional sleigh bell. It’s undoubtably festive, which limits its overall appeal. Within this specific sub-genre, the song works just fine. I enjoy the melodies and its overall atmosphere has a very cozy vibe. I’m Home also unfurls with plenty of space, allowing for a layered climax that brings us to a satisfying endpoint.
Yet just as I expected, the song feels incomplete without all the members’ voices. It’s unmistakably EXO, but almost like a sub-unit version of the group. And when compared to past hits in this vein (the transcendent Miracles In December, and even the slow-burn Sing For You) I’m Home feels like a nice — but inessential — addition to their canon. We’ll see what they’re able to do with a full comeback next month.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 7 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
EXO IS NINE
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EXO already been 12, 11, 10, 9 and now IT’S 6.
CBX is over. Nobody cares about them.
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SHUT THE FUCK UP, ASSHOLE! I STILL CARE ABOUT CBX! YOU’RE A FAKE FAN, GET LOST!
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Save your energy and redirect it to Baekhyun’s relief fund. The general public hates him, Koreans hate him, and at this rate he’ll need y’all to help him pack lunch because his career is on life support.
EXO is 6 now, and it’s way better like this.
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WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE? I SAID GET LOST!
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You surely sound emotionally unstable, r*tard.
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Please don’t call me that. That is a very hurtful word to say, I already have severe depression and that word is just going to make me commit sewerslide. How about instead, you give me positive encouragement like “Respect other people’s opinions and/or feelings on the whole CBX situation” because I still want to be able to live. I don’t want to end my own life because there are people who still care about me, and they would hate to see me gone. So, please don’t call me that word, it is very hurtful and instead offer me some positivity. Thank you, and have a good day.
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It’s just not the same without CBX I’m sorry
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You’re right. It is way better!!!
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NO IT IS NOT! SHUT THE FUCK UP! EXO NEED CBX!
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Don’t let this guy get to you, it’s more likely rage-bait.
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I’m sorry, I should try harder to ignore comments like that in the future.
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Not sure if you follow the ‘Like a Version’ series on Youtube but Rebecca did an amazing cover of Addison Rae’s ‘Fame is a Gun’ there a few days ago, feels like an official and transformative remix.
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Yep, she improved upon the original!
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lol at this comeback
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I listen to “Miracles in December” even when it isn’t anywhere near December. When it comes around on the random shuffle I don’t skip it.
This one is real nice too, and it is nice to hear (most of) them together again.
As the resident ELF, I would advise the EXO-L to not hold their breath. SuJu-15 only reunited at Ryeowook’s wedding, despite Leeteuk wishing early and often at fan meets to have the full group back together again. Leeteuk is one heck of a group leader, so if he can’t wrangle something, no one can.
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yeah ill be honest – exo got me into kpop way back in 2018, i just cant even bring myself to listen to this song. i’ll check it out eventually, but it’s a tough pill to swallow with cbx excluded.
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I know people miss CBX and all that, but the song genuinely sounds better without them. CBX carries the highest pitches in EXO, and this track is a very chill, laid-back song, this lineup actually suits it more.
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FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE! EXO IS NINE!
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why don’t you calm down! everyone is allowed to have an opinion, even if the opinion is something you don’t like to hear or want to hear you dont need to rage at everyone. People are allowed to like exo without cbx just like people are allowed to like i-dle without soojin. I personally like exo as 9 but i haven’t really like exo music in a long time since the lotto era.
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I’m sorry, but this is too much for me. I think I need a break from EXO right now.
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Maybe you need a break from exo or kpop in general its not good to get this worked up. Its sad what cbd is going through but we also must face the reality exo may never be truly whole again
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CBD?
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Chill, CBX didn’t die, and neither did EXO. You can still support both of them and help power up their individual careers. It’s clear that SM likely won’t bring them back into the group, so it’s important to face that reality. Instead of holding onto frustration, show them your love and encouragement as they explore their own paths moving forward. And if you feel that you can’t get behind this new EXO formation, that’s perfectly okay too. Everyone’s entitled to their own feelings. There’s no need to lash out at others or get upset over differing opinions.
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I’ve already been told this by Wendy earlier, so I already got the message. Thanks for the input, though.
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yeah i think it’s a suitable song for this lineup. cozy without too much vocal flare/power that baekhyun and chen usually bring. there’s a contemporary adult radio vibe to this song. it’s very adele water under the bridge but much calmer and somber. it’s a song perfect for D.O tbh.
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it seems the song was composed with only D.O in mind coz his influence and contributions to the song are heard and felt in the entire song. The rest are just followers of D.O kyungsoo.
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yup i agree. this lineup isn’t as vocally strong as ot9 exo – only 2/6 are in the vocal line. the rest sing decently enough but we’re missing the hard hitters. it’s a song catered to D.O’s vocal strengths and also within the comfortable range of the others’ vocal skills.
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Chill, CBX didn’t die, and neither did EXO. You can still support both of them and help power up their individual careers. It’s clear that SM likely won’t bring them back into the group, so it’s important to face that reality. Instead of holding onto frustration, show them your love and encouragement as they explore their own paths moving forward. And if you feel that you can’t get behind this new EXO formation, that’s perfectly okay too. Everyone’s entitled to their own feelings. There’s no need to lash out at others or get upset over differing opinions.
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Songs fine. It’s not as good as sing for you but it’s passable
7.5/10 (8, 7, 8, 7) for me
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I really like what SM did with the song. I think they chose the perfect track for these members, everyone shines, and it feels fresh. I’ve always felt that SM tended to overpower Baekhyun’s vocals in the past, so it’s nice to hear something different this time. I don’t follow them actively anymore, but I do wish K-Pop fans could handle members leaving and returning better. It’s way more acceptable in J-Pop, for example.
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I finally listened to the song this morning, and I got to say, it still doesn’t feel the same without CBX, but I’m glad the others got to shine. Chanyeol and Sehun showed off their vocal chops, and I’m happy to hear Lay in an EXO song again in years.
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What is CBX? I am just a casual listener of EXO and i know about the Chinese members who were laid off and the controversy surrounding it but not this.
The song is fine for the season and has a very DO feel to it. I am looking forward to the actual comeback.
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CBX is short for Chen, Baekhyun & Xiumin, the three members who were laid off this comeback due to contractual disputes.
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Oh, okay, thanks
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