I can see it.

Third generation groups are characterized as the generation that pushed kpop to outside of china, japan, korea. I wouldn't say Exo fits that description the same way BTS, BP, NCT, or even Super M do.

However, they have spent all their years promoting in the third generation of kpop. They are the kings alongside BTS. Their concept and music style fit that of a 3rd generation group and their still popular today. Groups like shinee, suju, snsd are still popular today, but they wouldn't be nominated or contenders for artist of the year or have as many sales as exo do.

I consider them the sunbaes of the third generation. The oldest and one of the most popluar groups from this group.