EXO's KAI Makes Hotly Anticipated Comeback With "Wait On Me"

Rosa Gulliver
Apr 21
4 min read

Rosa Gulliver of TINYGMUSIC | April 21, 2025

K-pop superstar's first release in two years is an intoxicating blend of global rhythmic pop – a perfect prelude to summer

EXO’s KAI makes his hotly anticipated return today with his fourth mini album “Wait On Me,” out today via SM Entertainment. The seven-track collection opens with ‘Wait On Me,’ an alluring pop song influenced by Afrobeats rhythms, with restrained percussion grooves layered with escalating synths. Produced by British producer Jacob Aaron (ATEEZ, ENHYPEN), the track builds slowly into a rumble of tension that captures the payoff of a long wait. KAI’s soft vocals add to the delicate unfolding of emotions, celebrating the power and grace of patience.

That same sense of patience and the emotions that come with it, resonates deeply with KAI’s own experience. Reflecting on his return and the fans who waited for him, the singer shared, “With this comeback happening after some time, I’ve gone through a wide range of emotions — excitement and joy, of course, but also a bit of nervousness and pressure. Over time, I’ve come to see my albums as a way to build memories together with EXO-Ls.

”He continued, “If this album can bring joy to those who’ve been waiting for me, as well as to new listeners discovering my music for the first time, then I believe that alone gives it purpose. I’m truly looking forward to enjoying every moment of this journey with my fans.

”The album continues with ‘Walls Don’t Talk,’ introducing a reggaeton-inflused flair to the album with a vibrant mid-tempo pop track that portrays the alluring moments of red-hot chemistry between two people. It’s followed by ‘Pressure,’ which merges 808 bass and Latin trap rhythms with the gentle calm of a flute, sonically and lyrically reflecting on inner resilience and the quiet strength found in staying grounded even while under pressure. The track is co-written by British DJ and “Afrowave” pioneer Afro B, alongside GRAMMY-nominated hitmakers who have worked with Selena Gomez and Wande Coal.

“Ridin’” – co-written by alt-rap star Duckwrth – continues the album’s exploration of moods and styles by tapping into techno and hip-hop drum beats to convey a fierce resolve to push past limits and chase dreams without hesitation. There’s a smooth transition into ‘Off and Away,’ with rhythmic percussion rooted in Amapiano influences. The lyrics portray the turmoil of wanting to hold onto a lost connection but struggling to let go.

The penultimate track is the dreamy yet irresistible pre-release single ‘Adult Swim.’ which officially put KAI back on the map following his two years away from the spotlight. The album comes to a close with ‘Flight to Paris’, using Jersey Club beats and soft synths underneath KAI’s affirming vocals to depict a journey of breaking away from the familiar and confronting an unfamiliar version of oneself, much like boarding a plane and taking off to a new destination.

The seven tracks form a stage for KAI to showcase his matured and refined musical identity, shaped by the passage of time, particularly that of the last two years in between “Wait On Me” and his prior album release “Rover”, which led to a viral dance challenge on TikTok and earned a spot on DAZED’s list of 50 best K-pop tracks of 2023. From the start of his solo career, the all-rounder has made an impact on the Korean and global music scenes. His debut solo single ‘Mmmh’ is approaching 200 million streams on Spotify, while his sophomore effort “Peaches” topped iTunes Album Charts in 58 regions upon release. All three of his previous mini albums have been certified Platinum in Korea.

“A master of desire, seduction and vulnerability… his work goes beyond the labels of just singing or dancing – he is a performer” - NME

KAI debuted in 2012 as a member of multi-award-winning K-pop group EXO, who have sold over 35 million album equivalents, making them one of the most successful K-pop groups of all time. The soloist and style icon has also been hailed by British GQ as “the world’s best-dressed K-pop star”, and in 2019 he became the first Korean to be appointed a global brand ambassador for Gucci.

Alongside his new album, KAI will take his vision to the stage with a 10-city solo tour, ‘2025 KAI SOLO CONCERT TOUR 'KAION,' kicking off in Seoul next month. In June, he will return to the UK for the first time in five years to perform at SMTOWN Live in London at Allianz Twickenham Stadium on 28 June. The epic stadium concert, in celebration of SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary, also features over a dozen other K-pop stars, including fellow EXO members SUHO and CHANYEOL, as well as aespa, RIIZE, NCT, Red Velvet, and more. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster, AXS and MYTICKET.

“Wait On Me” Tracklist

Wait On Me
Walls Don’t Talk
Pressure
Ridin’
Off and Away
Adult Swim
Flight to Paris

About EXO

Since their debut in 2012, EXO has been a driving force in the global K-pop phenomenon, paving the way for countless acts that followed. With hits like ‘Growl,’ ‘Overdose,’ ‘Monster,’ and ‘Love Shot,’ each of their albums has achieved massive success both domestically and internationally, earning them numerous accolades and the distinction of being seven-time million-sellers. In addition to dominating the music scene, EXO has also made a mark in acting, variety shows, and other fields, further cementing their global popularity. The group has headlined five tours and released seven studio albums, with their latest, 2023’s “Exist,” becoming their seventh million-seller. In 2025, EXO surpassed 35 million equivalent album sales worldwide, a testament to their longstanding success more than a decade after debut. The group’s members are XIUMIN, SUHO, BAEKHYUN, CHEN, CHANYEOL, D.O., KAI, and SEHUN.