Group EXO member Lay announced he would not attend the fan meeting on the day, and it was revealed that he had departed for China earlier.
On the 14th, the agency SM Entertainment told OSEN, "Today Lay departed for China," in an official statement. However, they cautiously responded that the reason was "personal circumstances."
Earlier that morning SM Entertainment posted on the fan community platform, "Due to unavoidable circumstances, member Lay will inevitably be unable to attend the fan meeting," in a notice.
SM said, "We ask for the understanding of fans who have waited a long time and supported us for announcing a sudden change in participating members, and please check the ticket cancellation and refund policy due to the change in participating members."
Aside from Lay, Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun said they would perform as scheduled, and at the 2 p.m. fan meeting they took the stage and completed the performance without issue.
The members performed EXO's signature hit "Growl," followed by "Girl In The Mirror," "Lucky," "History," "First Snow," and the new song "I'm Home." Regarding Lay's absence, the members said, "He missed it because of an unavoidable matter," and it was reported that "Lay was also very disappointed."
Meanwhile, the EXO fan meeting 'EXO'verse' was held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. that day at Inspire Arena in Jung-gu, Incheon. In particular, only the presale on Melon Ticket on the 30th for official fan club EXO-L membership holders quickly sold out both shows, showing that EXO's popularity remains strong.
Also, this fan meeting was the first performance in 1 year and 8 months since EXO's 12th anniversary fan meeting 'ONE' held in April 2024, and it raised fans' expectations as the first fan meeting held after all the members' military hiatuses ended.
[Photo] Provided by SM Entertainment
[OSEN]