EXO-CBX

Performing in both Japanese and Korean, EXO-CBX is the first official subunit of the South Korean K-pop boy band EXO. While the main group was formed in 2011, EXO-CBX made their debut in 2016. Comprising founding EXO members -- Xiumin and Chen from EXO-M and Baekhyun from EXO-K -- the trio issued its first EP, Hey Mama!, in late 2016 on parent label S.M. Entertainment. Topping the Billboard World Albums chart and the Korean Gaon chart, the five-song set remained close to EXO's original sound that incorporated elements of R&B, hip-hop, and electronic pop. A year before EXO would take their first steps into the territory, EXO-CBX broke into the Japanese market with the EP Girls (Avex Trax), which arrived in May 2017. A promotional Japanese tour followed in early 2018 (just as EXO debuted in Japan with Countdown). EXO-CBX briefly dipped back into the Korean market in April with Blooming Days before issuing their first Japanese full-length, Magic, in May. Magic featured the single "Horololo" and topped the Japanese chart upon release. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi