No matter how many members stand together, EXO showed that their identity remains unchanged even after 13 years.
On December 20, the Melon Music Awards 2025 (MMA 2025) was held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul’s Guro District. Before the main ceremony, artists walked the red carpet, where EXO instantly drew attention with their signature pose and slogan, “We Are One,” reminding fans of the group’s enduring unity.
MMA 2025, presented by KakaoBank as the title sponsor, carried the main slogan “Play The Moment.” The theme emphasized the idea of reliving and celebrating meaningful moments and stories created through music, all coming together on the MMA stage.
The red carpet event featured an impressive lineup of artists across generations and genres, including IDID, KiiiKiii, ALLDAY PROJECT, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, Hearts2Hearts, 10CM, RIIZE, WOODZ, Hanroro, ILLIT, BOYNEXTDOOR, IVE, ZICO, aespa, Jay Park alongside rookie group LNGSHOT, NCT WISH, JENNIE, and EXO.
Despite ongoing individual activities and varying group configurations over the years, EXO’s appearance at MMA 2025 delivered a powerful message. Their familiar pose and slogan symbolized not just longevity, but a promise to fans that the spirit of “We Are One” remains firmly intact—proving once again why EXO continues to be a defining name in K-pop history.
Editor’s Insights
EXO’s appearance at MMA 2025 may have seemed like a simple red carpet moment, but for longtime fans, it carried far more weight than that.
In an era where K-pop groups often face fragmentation due to solo careers, military service, and contract shifts, maintaining a clear group identity becomes increasingly difficult. Yet EXO continues to return to the same message: “We Are One.” And importantly, it still feels believable.
What makes this moment significant is not the scale of the performance or a major comeback announcement, but the quiet consistency of their branding. Even with fewer members present at times, the group’s core identity remains intact—something that many second-generation groups have struggled to preserve over time.
This also reflects EXO’s position in K-pop history. They are no longer just active idols competing in the current market; they have transitioned into legacy artists whose symbolic moments carry emotional value for fans. A single slogan, repeated after 13 years, becomes a reminder of continuity in an industry built on constant change.
In that sense, MMA 2025 was not just about celebrating music. It was about reaffirming presence. And EXO, without needing anything elaborate, reminded everyone that their story is still ongoing.