Why Zhang Yixing no longer promotes with EXO – K-pop fans react on Twitter!

Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Widely recognised K-pop idol, Yixing, AKA Lay Zhang is taking new turns in his career.

The rapper and signer initially launched into the spotlight after appearing on Star Academy in 2005.

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Why doesn’t Yixing promote with EXO anymore?

South Korean-Chinese boyband, EXO, became a global sensation – debuting in 2012 and releasing hits such as ‘Growl’.

Comprising of nine members: Xiumin, Soho, Lay, Baeckhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun, the band created a worldwide success. Yixing, better known as Lay, launched his solo career in 2016 and later released his own debut.

Fans quickly became confused as to why Lay no longer promoted with EXO.

One Reddit user put it down to politics between China and South Korea. Lay Zhang was appointed as a publicity ambassador by the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) of Changsha. Thus, Reddit users think that promoting EXO, whilst he is in a public position, could cause tension and his Korean activities have been limited since 2017.

Other fans believe that Yixing is simply just busy making a solo career for himself – much like many of the other members. In fact, SM Entertainment is quite focused on prioritizing solo albums for the other band members.

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What is next for the K-pop idol?

As mentioned, Lay is pretty focused on his solo career and, in February of 2021, he released his fourth studio album, Producer. The new album featured his hit single, Joker.

Otherwise, Zhang has kept busy with brand endorsements – including Converse, Ray-ban and, more recently, Huawei Nova.

In December of 2020, rumours even sparked about a possible comeback to EXO, due to a cryptic social media post promoting a Q&A session. This month (May 2021), Twitter user, XingPark, announced: “On May 26, 7 pm, the group’s staff will be releasing comeback teasers for Zhang Yixing, however, given the current situation with the pandemic, he will not be able to go to Korea during the comeback period.”

Fans have since been going wild at the concept of a potential comeback.

K-pop fans react on Twitter

In light of the recent speculation surrounding EXO’s Yixing, K-pop fans have taken to Twitter to express their excitement:

One user begged on Twitter: “PLEASE release Yixing teaser!”

Likewise, another fan wrote: “I’m telling y’all! LAY IS BACK!”

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