All 19 EXO Albums in Order of Release

When I say E-X, you say O! Today, I wanted to take some time to go through the ENTIRE chronology of a group that is near and dear to my heart, EXO. They are the first group that I was ever into, and they are the first group for which I bought their entire discography.

A couple of notes about this history before we get into it:

• This post will ONLY be focusing on EXOas a full group. It will not be focusing on individual releases or sub-units. Posts for each of those will come at a later date.
• For many of the albums featured below, I only have the Korean versions of all of the albums
• I will do my best to not focus on too much drama with the group, so I will only touch on it briefly, stating the facts. If you want to know more about it, please google it.
• All relevant music videos will be linked throughout the post

So, without further ado, let’s talk about EXO from their early years, until today. Throughout the post you will see many of their music videos linked, but if you would like to listen to all of their music videos, in order, without interruption, you may do so here:

2012: The Debut and Mama

Prior to the group’s full debut, EXO debuted with two pre-debut singles, that were featured on their first EP:

• “What is Love”, released on January 30th, 2012, which featured D.O and Baekhyun on the EXO-K version, and Chen and Luhan on the EXO-M version.
• “History” was released on March 9th, 2012, with 2 versions, one for EXO-M and one for EXO- K. History debuted at number 27 on the Sina New Singles Chart in China and in South Korea, the song peaked at 68.

On April 9th, 2012, EXO debuted on the same date as two separate groups: EXO-K and EXO-M. EXO-K was the sub-unit of the group that was created for promotions in Korean, and EXO-M was created for promotions in Mandarin Chinese. The members of each group are as follows:

They debuted with the single “Mama”, as well as 2 versions of the album: one for EXO-K and one for EXO-M. The Korean EP reached number one on the Gaon Album Chart in South Korea and number four on the Sina Album Chart in China. It also took number 8 on the Billboard World Album Chart. The Chinese version reached number one in China on the Sina Album Chart, and number 4 on the Gaon Album Chart.

June 2013: The First Full Album, XOXO

A little more than a year after their official debut, the boys of EXO returned even better than before. This, time, they returned with an album as a full group of all 12 members: XOXO. This is the group’s first full album which featured the single 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf). This song was released digitally in both Mandarin and Korean on June 3rd, 2013. The album had over 300,000 pre-orders and peaked at number one on the Billboard World Album Charts a week after it’s release. By December 2013, the album had sold over 1,000,000 copies,and became the best selling album of the year in the K-Pop industry.

August 2013: The First Repackage, Growl (으르렁)

On August 5th, 2013, the 12 young men returned with their first repackaged album, 으르렁 (Growl) which is the repackage of their first full album, XOXO. This repackage added three new songs from the group: the title track, Growl, Lucky, and XOXO. Growl was recorded in both Korean and Mandarin, and the song was actually leaked about a week before it’s release! Growl reached number 2 on the Korean Gaon Album Chart and won song of the year at the Melon Music Awards in 2013. The song is their best selling song to date, having been downloaded over 2 million times.

December 2013: The First Winter Special Album, Miracles in December

Released on December 9th, 2013 EXO’s first Winter Special Album was released. Ranking in the number one spot on the Gaon Weekly and Monthly charts, as well as taking 4th on the year end charts, the album featured EXO’s first winter single “Miracles in December”. Boasting 59 million views on Youtube, the song reached #2 on the Goan Weekly charts, and #3 on the monthly charts. The album also ranked number one on the Billboard World Album Charts and the single took #3 on the Billboard World Songs Chart.

May 2014: The Final Return of EXO-M, Overdose

Almost a year after their first full album, EXO returned with their final comeback as EXO-K and EXO-M. Right after the release of the album, Kris Wu filed a lawsuit for termination of his contract, followed by Luhan that fall. With two members of EXO-M leaving shortly after the release, the release of Overdose marked the final release of EXO-M. They returned with the single “Overdose” on April 16th, 2 days later than initially planned, due to the Sewol Ferry incident. The mini-album place 2nd on the Billboard World A’bum Charts, and “Overdose” placed 129 in The Billboard 200 (which was very high for a K-Pop group in 2014).

March 2015: The Second Studio Album, Exodus

EXO Exodus is the final release with Tao in it before his contract with SM Entertainment was nullified. Released on March 30th, 2015, featuring one of their most famous singles “Call Me Baby”. With this single, EXO secured their first Inkigayo win on April 5th, 2015. The album sold over half a million copies in pre-orders alone and the album topped the Gaon Weekly album charts for 4 weeks.

June 2015: The Second Repackage & Tao’s Departure, Love Me Right

Released on June 3rd, 2015, Love Me Right is the repacked album of EXO Exodus, release in March of the same year. The first album featuring one less member as Tao’s contract with SM Entertainment was nullified between the Exodus and Love Me Right releases. The album sold over 529 thousand copies and the lead single, Love Me Right has over 150 million views on Youtube. This is also the first album of the group to make it into the US Billboard World Albums Chart making it into 2nd place. On top of that, the album won Album of the Year – 2nd Quarter at the Gaon Album Chart Awards.

December 2015: The Second Christmas Single, Sing For You

The fourth extended play by EXO, and their 2nd Winter Special Album Sing for You was released in both Korean and Chinese on December 10, 2015. The album held the fastest selling record on the Hanteo album charts which wasn’t overtaken until EXO’s next album Ex’act. Featuring 4 new tracks, as well as their song “Lightsaber” for their Star Wars collaboration, the mini-album sold over 330 thousand copies and ranked number 1 on the Gaon and Hanteo Weekly Album Charts. The album’s single, “Sing For You” has gather over 42 million views on Youtube. On top of that, the album reached number 6 on the Billboard World Album Charts.

June 2016: The Monster Unleashed, Ex’Act

Ex’act, the 3rd Studio Album from EXO was released on June 9th, 2016. The first album where they would be simultaneously promoting 2 singles at one time: “Lucky One” and “Monster“. “Lucky One” boasts 78 million views and peaked at number 5 on the Gaon Album Charts and 3 on the US Billboard World Digital Songs Chart. “Monster”, boasts 478 million views on Youtube and peaked at 1 on the Gaon Album Charts and the US Billboard World Digital Songs Chart. The latter single is also the reason that this blog exists today. 그래서 이 노래는 정말 이 블로거의 마음 가까이에 있어요 (Translation: this song is very near and dear to this blogger’s heart).

August 2016: The Third Repackage, Lotto

LOTTO, the repackaged album of EXO’s Ex’act was released on August 18th, 2016. This album marks the 3rd consecutive EXO album to have sold over 1 million copies – certifying it as platinum. The album won the Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter at the Gaon Music Awards. It ranked #1 on the Gaon Album Charts, and 1 on the US World Album Charts. Featuring the single “Lotto” which has over 184 million views on Youtube. It also went on to win first place seven times in total on South Korean weekly music television shows – albeit under the title “Louder” as the original title was deemed “unfit” for Korean television.

December 2016: The 3rd Winter Special Album, For Life

For Life marks the fifth extended play of EXO. Released on December 19th, 2016 the mini-album consists of 5 tracks and features the title track “For Life” which currently has over 31 million views on Youtube. The album ranked at the top of the Gaon Weekly album chart and top of the Gaon Monthly Album Charts. On top of all of that, For Life became the third best selling album on the Gaon Charts in 2016 with over 430 copies sold.

July 2017: The Reggae Return, The War

Released on July 18th, 2017, EXO The War is the 4th full studio album from EXO. This album had the highest number of pre-orders for any K-Pop album at the time with more than 800 thousand copies on pre-order. After only 24 days of release, the album was certified platinum, selling over a million copies. This was also the first EXO release to not feature Lay in it. Although still a member of EXO, he was in China doing solo-promotions during the release. The album’s single “Ko Ko Bop” top the charts in four non-consecutive weeks. EXO also became the first male group to top the Gaon charts for 4 weeks.

September 2017: EXO in a New Dimension, The War: Power of Music

Released on September 5th, 2017, EXO The War: Power of Music is the repackage of their 4th album, The War. Power of Music ranked #1 on the Gaon Weekly Album Charts, #2 on the Gaon Monthly Charts in 2017, and #7 on the Gaon Year End Charts. The album sold over 600,000 copies and the single from the album “Power” has 99 million views on Youtube. Additionally, “Power” achieved a perfect score of 11,000 on M Countdown – making EXO the second artist to achieve a perfect score (after the scoring system was changed in 2015). This track also marks their 100th win on music shows.

December 2017: The 4th Winter Special Album, Universe

Marked as the 6th extended play, and the 4th EXO Winter Special Album, Universe was released on December 26th, 2017. Initially, it was supposed to be released on December 21st, but due to the death of the labelmate Jonghyun of SHINee it was pushed back to the 26th. The single “Universe”, which won 4 awards on music shows, debuted at #2 on the Gaon Digital Chart and top the Billboard KPop Hot 100 for the first week of 2018. The album also took the first spot on the Monthly charts and the sixth spot on the Year End Charts.

January 2018: The First Japanese Album, Countdown

Released shortly after their Universe mini-album on January 31, 2018, EXO “Electric Kiss” is the groups first full Japanese Album. The album includes some of their previously released Japanese tracks, such as “Coming Over” and “Love Me Right” as well as 4 new tracks, including the single “Electric Kiss”. The album sold over 100,000 copies in Japan, topped the Oricon Weekly Album Charts, and received a gold certification. This album reached the certification within only 10 days of release.

November 2018: 90s Boyband Vibes, Don’t Mess Up My Tempo

Released November 2nd, 2018, Don’t Mess Up My Tempo saw the return of Lay on the Chinese version of “Tempo” – his first appearance since the release of For Life in 2016. This album is the groups 6th studio album – 5 Korean studio albums, and one Japanese one, Countdown. The album exceeded 1.1 million preorders causing the album to debut at number 1 on the Gaon Album Charts and already be certified platinum. This album marked EXO’s fifth album that went platinum. The album was number one on the Gaon Album Monthly Charts and third on the year end charts. On top of that, the album also broke the US Billboard 200 – ranking in the 23rd spot. The single from the album “Tempo” has 227 million views on Youtube, and won song of the year in the Soompi Awards.

December 2018: A Christmas Gift for All, Love Shot

The repackage of their 6th studio album Don’t Mess Up My Tempo, EXO’s Love Shot took the group in a completely different direction. Released on December 18th, 2018, Love Shot was nominated for the Gaon Album of teh Year – Fourth Quarter, only to be beat by the studio album that it is related to. The album place number one on the Gaon Weekly Album Charts, and number 3 on the Year End Charts. The album features the single “Love Shot” which has the highest number of views on any EXO single with 538 million views on YouTube.

November 2019: EXO’s Musical Message to the Sasaengs (사생들), Obsession

Released on November 27th, 2019, EXO’s sixth studio album Obsession is the first album without group members Xiumin and D.O, who were completing their mandatory military service requirement. Featuring 10 tracks, the album reached the top of the Weekly Charts in both the US and South Korea and charted in 5 other countries. It was also places 3rd on the Gaon Year End Charts. The album’s single “Obsession”, which if you listen carefully many fans says is directed at the group’s sasaengs (obsessive fans), has over 162 million views on YouTube and it was ranked #1 on the Billboards Top 25 K-Pop songs of 2019.

June 2021: A Mid-Military Service Release, Don’t Fight the Feeling

This is the group’s second release while the members are doing their mandatory military service requirement. Released on June 7th, 2021,This special album shows the return of Xiumin and D.O as they had completed their mandatory military service, while Suho and Chen are out completing theirs. The album was recorded and the music video shot before Baekhyun went on hiatus for his service on May 6th 2021. Debuting at #1 on the Gaon Album Charts, and recieved 1.2 million pre-orders, certifying it platinum before it is even released. The single from the album “Don’t Fight the Feeling” has over 100 million views on Youtube as well.

EXO is still together as a group at this moment in time, and has been doing individual member releases while each member continues their military service, so I anticipate that we may see them come back together as a group later this year. Kai and Sehun, the youngest members of the group, are the only members who have yet to complete their service requirement, but I anticipate they could go in later this year, early next year.

Which EXO album is your favorite? Which single is your favorite, K-Nuggets? Let me know in the comments below!

사랑합나다!

–Rachel