EXO Return to Malaysia With Fire, Nostalgia, and a Sold-Out Stadium of Memories
Monday, June 22, 2026
EXO returned to Malaysia on 20 June 2026 with “EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon” at the National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil, marking their first visit since “EXO PLANET #5 – EXplOration” in 2019. Organized by Star Planet, the night felt less like a comeback and more like a long-awaited homecoming written in cheers, sweat, and memory.
From the very first note, EXO made it clear they were not just revisiting the past. They were rebuilding it in real time.
The concert opened with their debut track “MAMA”, instantly pulling fans back to 2012. Dressed in robes inspired by their debut MV, the members looked up toward the camera as their gazes were projected across the screen, recreating the feeling of their earliest era. The moment landed like a shockwave of nostalgia, sending goosebumps through a stadium that had waited seven long years for this return.
It was EXO’s first outdoor concert in Malaysia, and the largest stadium show they have ever staged in the country, with a sold-out crowd filling Bukit Jalil. Despite the intense heatwave, fans never let the energy drop. Fan chants and sing-alongs echoed across the venue so loudly it felt like they had been waiting for this night their entire lives, every voice pushing EXO forward song after song.
The setlist traced their journey from debut to present. Part 1 brought explosive early-era power with “MAMA”, “Monster”, “Wolf”, and “Overdose”, setting the tone for a night built on legacy.
Between songs, EXO spoke directly to fans, often switching into Malay. “Rindu korang! Korang sihat-sihat?” they greeted, translating to “We miss you! Are you all well?” Suho reflected on the long wait, saying, “It’s been 7 years since we last came to Malaysia. We have been waiting for this moment for so long and we are finally here.” He added that he had always promised to return with all EXO members, a promise finally fulfilled. The moment drew loud cheers of gratitude back at him.
Sehun also melted the crowd with “Rindu kami tak? Saya rindu korang,” meaning “Did you miss us? I missed you.” In a lighthearted exchange, Sehun joked about the weather feeling windy, only for Suho to point out the fan in front of him, leading Sehun to laugh and apologise, saying the wind was only for him.
Even under the heatwave, EXO pushed through with professionalism and live vocals that never wavered. At times, they were seen taking deep breaths and even lying down briefly on stage, but their commitment never slipped. Every performance carried weight, and every member had moments to shine through solo lines within group stages, highlighting their individual strengths without separate solo stages.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came during fan interaction. EXO challenged fans to lightstick waves, promising “SUPER POWER AEGYO” if they succeeded. The first attempt did not go well, and D.O. jokingly declared “Malaysia eliminated,” sparking laughter and playful refusal from the members to perform aegyo. After a few tries, fans finally succeeded, and EXO delivered their promised aegyo moments one by one, turning the stadium into a wave of laughter.
The fun did not end there. When fans asked for more, EXO playfully refused and declared, “Aegyo is over, it is sexy time,” shifting the mood into their next section. They performed “Playboy”, “Artificial Love”, “The Eve”, and “Love Shot”, appearing in glasses and delivering a sharper, more mature stage presence that had the crowd roaring.
Part 3 lifted the energy even higher with a medley of “Tempo”, “Ko Ko Bop”, and “Call Me Baby”. The sing-alongs were so loud that EXO’s voices were nearly drowned out by fans. The momentum continued with EDM versions of “Power”, “Don’t Fight the Feeling”, and “Run”, turning the stadium into a nonstop wave of movement.
Later, the mood softened with “Baby Don’t Cry”, “Walk On Memories”, and “Don’t Go”, giving fans a reflective pause before the final surge. The closing section returned with explosive energy through “El Dorado”, “Back It Up”, and “Forever”. Before the final song, EXO asked fans to perform a random play dance, and the response stunned them. D.O. said fans danced better than him, while Sehun declared “KL is number 1” and joked that even Kai was “almost” beaten. Chanyeol called the energy overwhelmingly good.
EXO then performed “Crown”, before fans sang “I’m Home” as an encore request. The members responded emotionally, saying the song reminded them of their debut preparations and that fans themselves were their home.
The encore continued with “Back Pocket” and “Flatline”, extending the night just a little longer for everyone who was not ready to leave.
During final remarks, humor returned once more. “Terima kasih-hun” they joked, blending Malay with Sehun’s name, drawing laughter across the stadium. Chanyeol said, “Hari ini best gila la! Jumpa lagi!” Kai shared that the full stadium and fan energy made him not want to stop. Suho promised, “As long as there is EXO, we will come back to Malaysia,” while Sehun added, “We are coming back to Malaysia to have fun and I hope that day comes soon. Jangan lupa makan ya.”
Production elevated the night further with outdoor fire effects, fireworks, and confetti that filled the sky above Bukit Jalil. The concert visuals played like a film, adding scale and emotion to every era EXO revisited on stage.
By the end of the night, “EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon” felt like more than a concert. It was a reminder of time passed, growth earned, and a fandom that never let go. For longtime fans, it was a journey through memory. For EXO, it was proof of how far they have come since debut, and how many iconic songs continue to define them.
A sincere thank you to Star Planet for inviting us to cover “EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon” in Kuala Lumpur.
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