[MALAYSIA] Opening a Time Capsule: EXO’s Long-Awaited Homecoming in Kuala Lumpur

K-Pop powerhouse EXO made their long-awaited return to Malaysia through their sold-out concert, EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon in KUALA LUMPUR, on June 20, 2026, at the National Hockey Stadium. The concert marked the end of a seven-year wait for Malaysian EXOLs, who last welcomed the group as a complete unit in 2019.

While members had visited Malaysia over the years through solo and sub-unit activities, EXhOrizon was the first time EXO stood on a Malaysian stage together as a full group since entering their military hiatus. More than a concert, it felt like the reopening of a chapter that many fans had carefully kept in their hearts throughout the years.

PART 1: Back to the Beginning

Opening the show with their debut track MAMA, EXO immediately transported the crowd back to where it all began. The choice was fitting for the group’s eighth studio album Reverxe, which showed the members revisiting the mythology and superpower concepts that first defined their identity. As the opening melody echoed through the stadium, the roar from the audience was instantaneous.

The momentum continued with Monster, triggering one of K-pop’s most iconic fanchants. Despite being released a decade ago, every word was recited with unwavering conviction, a testament to both EXO’s longevity and the persisting devotion of their fans.

The stage then transitioned into SUHO’s solo performance of Total Eclipse, where his delicate, harp-like vocals floated effortlessly across the venue. The atmosphere shifted seamlessly into Wolf, complete with its legendary ‘Tree of Life’ formation, before continuing into another defining hit, Overdose.

Following their first greeting to Malaysian EXOLs, EXO promised an evening filled with excitement and unforgettable memories.

The mood softened with Moonlight Shadows, a B-side from Reverxe that revealed a more restrained and intimate side of the group. Performing with standing microphones, the members appeared closer than ever to the audience, creating a sense of connection that contrasted beautifully with the grandeur of the opening set.

The first act concluded with CHANYEOL’s solo intro to his self-written song Gravity, a long-time fan-favourite from their discography. As the full group joined in, the stadium erupted with cheers, particularly when the members shed portions of their outerwear to combat Malaysia’s tropical heat (though one could argue the temperature had already risen considerably the moment EXO stepped on stage).

PART 2: The Sexy Emperors of K-Pop

The second segment opened with KAI’s solo performance of Jekyll, showcasing the intricate precision and commanding stage presence that have made him one of K-pop’s most celebrated performers. When the remaining members joined him, the song transformed into a display of haunting harmonies and controlled intensity.

The set continued with Crazy, which recently gained attention following EXO’s appearance at Mnet’s M COUNTDOWN X MEGA CONCERT. What followed was a succession of songs that have become synonymous with EXO’s sophisticated performance identity: PLAYBOY, Artificial Love, The Eve, and Love Shot.

Rather than relying solely on choreography, EXO commanded the stage through subtle expressions, unwavering confidence, and a maturity that only comes with experience. Their performances carried a relaxed magnetism that is less about proving themselves and more about fully inhabiting the stage they have dominated for over a decade.

PART 3: Legends That Stood the Test of Time

The next segment opened with a medley of title tracks including Tempo, Ko Ko Bop, and CALL ME BABY, drawing fans into a wave of nostalgia that swept across the stadium.

The energy escalated further with an EDM medley featuring Power, Don’t Fight The Feeling, and Run, transforming the venue into a festival-like celebration. As confetti filled the night air, the members’ smiles reflected the same youthful enthusiasm that first introduced them to audiences fourteen years ago.

EXO then launched into beloved classics LOVE ME RIGHT and Growl, prompting the audience to sing along almost instinctively. The collective voices of thousands of fans transformed the stadium into a living archive of memories, each lyric carrying fragments of youth, friendship, and time gone by.

The atmosphere shifted once more with emotionally driven performances of Baby, Don’t Cry, Walk On Memories, and Don’t Go. These stages highlighted the vocal excellence that has long distinguished EXO as a vocal powerhouse.

The seamless transition from performance-heavy tracks to festival-like anthems and finally to vocal-centred ballads served as a reminder of why EXO’s reputation as one of K-pop’s most well-rounded group has survived for fourteen years.

PART 4: The Crown Remains Secure

Staying true to the regal concept, EXO opened the final act with EL DORADO. Grand in both concept and execution, the song combined soaring vocals, intricate choreography, and ambitious musical arrangements into a performance that remains uniquely theirs.

They followed with Back It Up, which demonstrated the group’s ability to command a stadium through sheer presence alone, before moving into Forever, another showcase of their remarkable vocal synergy.

The main set concluded with Crown, the title track from Reverxe. Both visually and symbolically, the performance served as a statement: fourteen years into their career, the crown is still safe in EXO’s hands.

As the screens faded to black in anticipation of the encore, Malaysian EXOLs filled the silence by singing I’m Home back to the group; a fitting gesture for an evening rooted in reunion, memory, and belonging.

Returning for the encore, EXO closed the night with Back Pocket and Flatline. The former brought a playful energy as members roamed the stage and interacted freely with fans, while the latter offered a quieter farewell beneath the open night sky.

Against Flatline’s stripped-back instrumental, EXO’s voices resonated through the stadium with remarkable clarity. It was a fitting ending to a concert that was never solely about performance, but about connection.

More than a reunion, EXhOrizon in KL felt like opening a carefully preserved time capsule. Through songs that have accompanied fans through different stages of life, EXO revived memories spanning fourteen years while simultaneously creating new ones. The easy banter between members and fans, and their confident promises to return soon made the evening feel less like a comeback and more like a homecoming.

After a long wait, Malaysian EXOLs were finally reunited with EXO and judging by the emotions that lingered long after the final note faded into the night, the memories made on this meaningful Saturday evening will remain long after the stadium lights have dimmed. 

Thank you Star Planet for the media invite!

Written by: Stella Chung

Photos by: Star Planet

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