[Event Coverage] EXO’s Awaited Homecoming in Malaysia

It has been seven years since they last came to Malaysia as a group, and the fans’ thirst for EXO was evident when tickets for the one-day-only concert sold out. During the 7 year gap, EXO – SUHO, D.O., CHANYEOL, SEHUN and KAI came one by one to Malaysia for their individual schedules. 2026 brought sunshine to the fans when EXO regrouped after each member completed their national service schedules.

D-day came, and fans were at the National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil early to prepare for the concert – Rockzone and VIP ticket holders attended soundcheck session a few hours ahead of the concert. There were also fans who set up shop to beautify fellow EXO-Ls (fandom name), with some exchanging albums, photocards with vendors selling food and merchandises while some just came to make friends, despite having no ticket for the show.

Soundcheck started at 5.30pm – though we were not technically in the Hockey Stadium at the time, screams from the lucky fans who were inside could be heard signalling the start of the session. Envy and excitement can be heard all around from the fans who were waiting all around to be let in. Fans swarmed the moment the security guards opened the gate to let the fans into the venue.

As the sky turned dark, the National Hockey Stadium transformed into a massive ocean of silver, the iconic color of the EXO-L light stick, the “Eribong”. The air was thick with a mix of adrenaline and pure, unadulterated joy. After seven long years of waiting, the drought was finally over.

​When the house lights finally dimmed at 8 p.m, the roar of the crowd was deafening, vibrating through the stadium floor. The stage erupted with the explosive bass of “Mama”, and the moment the members appeared, the screams were loud enough to be heard across all of Bukit Jalil. Seeing SUHO, D.O., CHANYEOL, SEHUN, and KAI together on one stage was a surreal, dreamlike experience for the thousands in attendance.

​The ground is literally shaking! Seven years of waiting and they still sound like royalty. EXO-Ls, we made it!

​The setlist was set for nostalgia and power, for both new and old fans. They kept the energy at a fever pitch with high-octane hits like “Monster,” “Wolf,” and the “Overdose,” proving that their synchronized choreography is truly untouchable. The members were clearly moved by the reception, taking plenty of time between songs to interact with the fans, showing off their improved Bahasa Melayu and expressing how much they truly missed the passionate energy of Malaysian EXO-Ls.

The atmosphere was already fire, but nothing prepared the fans for the shift in stage design, which led into a series of tracks showcasing their vocal and dance mastery. They opened the segment with the smooth, atmospheric vibes of “Moonlight Shadows” and “Gravity”, before diving into the intense, dancing with scary puppet “Jekyll”, “Crazy”, and the seductive rhythms of “Playboy” and “Artificial Lover”. The crowd was whipped into a frenzy during the sleek, iconic choreography of “The Eve” and the fan-favorite “Love Shot.”

The hot atmosphere in the stadium and the heavy choreography took a toll on the group as KAI and SEHUN were both seen drained and needed long breaks during ments. SEHUN joked that the air is hot but he felt breezy on stage, when SUHO pointed out that it was from the electric fan blowing on stage. Fans also captured cute and funny scenes when KAI and CHANYEOL both enjoying the cool air from the fan – a much needed temporary relieve.

​A shift of energy can be felt during a high-octane medley of the hits “Tempo”, “Ko Ko Bop”, “Call Me Baby”, and electronic heavy “Power”, “Don’t Fight The Feeling” and “Run”, that left the entire stadium breathless, with all the jumping and singing, especially in the Rockzone area. They followed up with  “LOVE ME RIGHT” and the legendary “Growl”, turning the arena into one massive sing-along – but who are we kidding? It’s a sing-along throughout the concert as we Malaysians love our Karaoke.

​SEVEN YEARS LATER AND THEY STILL OWN THE STAGE! ​

​Moving into a more emotional, melodic space, the group slowed things down with the hauntingly emotional “Baby Don’t Cry” (by SUHO and D.O) before being joined by the rest of the group for “Walk On Memories”, and the hopeful, fan-beloved “Don’t Go”. They then showcased their epic stage presence with the grand, orchestral sounds of “EL DORADO” and the edgy grit of “Back It Up.”

​The members then revealed their versatile charms with the melodic “Forever”, the regal “Crown”, and “Back Pocket”.

​As the concert reached its end, the stadium lights dimmed, but the energy didn’t fade. Instead, the entire arena erupted into a powerful, collective rendition of “I’m Home,” filling the stadium with the voices of thousands of EXO-Ls. The sound was so moving that it coaxed the members back out for a deeply emotional encore.

​As they returned to the stage to perform their final track “Flatline”, the connection between the artists and their fans was evident – a testament to a bond that clearly hasn’t faded after seven long years. The night was more than just a concert; it was a triumphant homecoming for the legends of EXO.

​We would like to thank Star Planet for the invitation.