SM Entertainment EXO Introduction

1. Introduction
EXO is a nine-member idol boy group of SM Entertainment consisting of Suho, Siu Min, Ray, Bae Hyun, Chen, Chan Yeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun. The name EXO has a motif in the 'exoplanet' which means an extraterrestrial planet outside the solar system, and it means 'a new human from the unknown.' Originally EXO-K 6 EXO-M 6 members of the 12-member debut, EXO-M Chinese members withdrew in succession, became nine-member. EXO-K and EXO-M are separate groups other than EXO units and are called EXO when EXO-K and EXO-M are active.

The catch phrase is "We are One! Hello EXO!" When EXO leader Suho docks as "We are," other members call out "One!". Before we get on stage, or when we're about to cry out, we'll say "Let's love!"

It is a group that enjoys great popularity from 2013 when the growling craze started to blow. In the early years, the fandom of adolescents became mainstream, but with the popularity of color music such as CALL ME BABY and LOVE ME RIGHT in 2015 and the activities of individual members who have increased rapidly since 2018, The 40's fan base has also become noticeable. Outside of Korea, there were quite a lot of growers in Asian countries such as China, which was the target of the debut from the beginning of the debut. In North America and the West, popularity was rising with CALL ME BABY in 2015 and MONSTER in 2016. Then, in 2017, the so-called "Koko Bob Challenge," which was made using a part of the choreography of "Ko Ko Bop", the title track of THE WAR, Increasingly popular. In the Middle East, Fans of the UAE's fountain show background music is rapidly becoming a fan base as the 'Power' of the EXO has been in use for about a year since 2018.

2. Member

As a member of Chris, Ruhan, Tao, and three Chinese members who have made their debut as a twelve member, eight Korean and eight Chinese members are active. Since the removal of three members, EXO seems to have been active in choosing between K and M.

3. Features
3.1. Concept
As mentioned above, EXO has a unique worldview. That's why there are many cases where you sing according to the world view. For example, the debut song MAMA and HISTORY are some of the explanations about exo from the unknown world. In the case of 'MAMA' . Since then, Ko Ko Bop, Power more clearly revealed in the movie.

EXO songs rarely use SMP [19] overall. Typically, it is a traditional SMP song with social criticism and large performance. It is addicted to wolves, beauty and SMP performances. In fact, there are many stories about whether or not the debut song MAMA has inherited SMP of TVXQ, but since 2014, it seems that the song of this genre is almost unused because it is no longer used. Thanks to it, EXO helped me to pursue my own color.

Rather, EXO is closer to the concept of SME group group than SME group group concept, such as S.E.S. Unlike the SM Boy groups that focus on SMP, such as large performance and social criticism, EXO is not a group of singers, but EXO is a group of people who control the intensity of performances, There are more similarities with groups. S.E.S. Unique dreamy fairy concept Dreams Come true EXO is a dreamy space concept LOVE ME RIGHT, Love, Be Natural is a dark sexy concept roar, Monster, and a variety of rhythm combinations like Twilight Zone EXO There is CALL ME BABY, and EXO is Ko Ko Bop, the dance song of reggae pop, just like the exciting dance song Just A Feeling. It is noteworthy that the EXO song is more closely related to the SM girl group concept, such as S.E.S. and Milk, unusually among SM boy groups.

The album is surprisingly assimilated and bright and cheerful. Unlike the songs on the album, except for LOVE ME RIGHT and Power [20], EXO's title songs emphasize almost dark side, or CALL ME BABY It is the same song. Also, the winter album, which is released every December after 2013, is mostly an important concept except 'December, 2014' in 2014. In addition, the contents of the lyrics also show the beloved woman expressing her inner mood to the season of winter. This aspect was especially emphasized in the 2015 winter album 'Sing For You'.

3.2. Music and popularity
The songs of EXO are generally regarded as popular. There are always a few anti-idioms that are not popular, but in fact EXO's songs have been well received by music critics as well as the public. Such as CALL ME BABY, LOVE ME RIGHT, which is prominent in EXO 's biggest hits, representative roots and musical growth, and Power, which has been appreciated by the public for its powerful lyrics. Especially, all the albums that have been released since the debut 'MAMA' contain songs with fairy tale lyrics, which led to a very good response among the fans as well as the fans. In addition, EXO has rarely held a title track with overlapping musical styles, and is known to be a group that has been successful in trying out new styles and musical forms every time it is released. If you look at Ko Ko Bop, one of the albums that many experts have praised, "It's an album that will feel uncomfortable for those who still remember EXO as Growl, I tried to do free musical experiment and application based on thorough transnational aesthetics such as combining and transforming. " The critics also commented, "What EXO is trying to do with this album is not the K-POP's haute couture [21]," the most obvious change is the arrangement of the vocals with the album tracks "Chill", " I am intensely intensifying the dramatic atmosphere that dominates the overall album by intentionally thickening the texture as well as increasing the weight of the harmony more than the previous works, as evidenced by "Forever" and "Going Crazy". As for the title song 'Ko Ko Bop', he said, "It is a song that is finished with exotic rhythms and arrangements." It also gives the impression that it is different from any idol music that has been heard recently by utilizing the lyrics of the traditional reggae music. Late Autumn Festival 2017 - Music Reviewer Kim Young-dae)