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EXO is (never) coming back
I've only been a fan of EXO from last December, so unlike other fans who has been following them from before the debut, I'm still casually listening to MAMA and I enjoy it as it is. I'm more the visual kind who loves to look at MVs, pretty pictures, edits, etc, and I wasn't really aware (or care) of the fact that this rookie boyband still need to release an actual album. I'm used to western musicians who release an album when they feel like they're ready for an album instead of because their company wants them to. So I simply thought a year or two without a new song or album is a usual thing. Just like how Fall Out Boy is releasing a new album after 5 years (which is yay!).
It was until I joined the fandom as a whole, I followed blogs on tumblr, engage in discussions in![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
exochocolate, it became crystal clear to me how EXO fans have been waiting FOREVER for a comeback that doesn't seem to be seen.
As I became a part of the fandom, I too, now joined the army of anxious EXO fans whose patience running thin as they wait for the long-awaited comeback with bated breath. There are hundreds of EXO come back jokes out there, a typographic poster that says "EXO is never coming back", or a picture of a skeleton in front of a set of computer depicting an EXO fan who waited for the comeback that never comes.
I joined the fandom late, but from what I read, comeback rumors have been going around several times. Last time, the rumor was that EXO will be coming back in February. Complete with a screencap of single/album release schedule of most SM Entertainment's artists for the first half of 2013. This also, of course, was just another irresponsible gossip someone throws out there. Or probably it was a prediction, because many of them just didn't happen. EunHae's new single was written to be released in February, I wouldn't mind if it's true but it doesn't seem to be.
Instead of EXO, SM released a statement that SHINee is coming back on Feb 19. There's no way the company is going to promote two groups at a time, so EXO fans, again, can bury their dreams of getting a new single, or new anything in the next 4 weeks, really.
Anyway, as I engage in discussions, though I'm not really familiar with K-Pop, I could understand how this delay (if it really is a delay) is a good decision. SM Entertainment more than anyone understand how to do business in this industry. B.A.P and Nu'Est, two rookie groups who also debuted last year and are exactly the same age range as EXO (if not younger), are releasing singles this month. This industry is not a game. Though EXO is winning in numbers, B.A.P is coming real close. They won a lot of rookie awards, and they got really good reviews in terms of live performance, stage presence, and the "bad boy" image they portrayed in their MVs which is different with other existing boybands (? can't say anything about this). Also, that bunny mascot is brilliant, IMO. If it really was a strategy, SM doesn't want to risk releasing EXO's new album at the same time with them and compete for the same target market. They could win, but it's bad for the numbers.
EXO is tricky. When they release something it has to be both EXO-K and EXO-M, which means two albums, two versions for each song, two MVs for each song, two promotion plans in Korea and in China ... In short, there is so. Much. Work. And I believe SM wants to make sure everything is perfect before they release anything into the wild to get the best outcome of their cash cows they've invested so much in.
I'm not really sure about EXO myself, actually (I'm not blind stanning, ... though sometimes I do). Granted, they all are adorable, but personality wise, they're not that interesting to follow. Many of them are just too shy. The one that is not shy is Chanyeol and he's just a bit wacky. There's no big personality in there, and I don't feel the presence of a leader from any of the leaders. Looks, you can polish, but personality, no matter what kind of training you've went through, you just can't. Their interviews are boring at times or even worse painful to watch. They're like a bunch of kids who takes order from the company and are too afraid to mess up. And the worst is ... they ALWAYS lip-sync (okay, almost always). Let them sing the fuck live, SM. Though I like their theatrical performance, it took so much from their stage presence. We don't need to hear the same tape played over and over again. These all are maaaybe acceptable for a rookie boy band, but with better competitors raising the bar up high, expectations are higher than ever. They need to sell themselves more and stop resting on the pretty.
(phew ... I really didn't know this entry is going this way ... that was long and I need some sleep)
So ... yeah, EXO is coming back this year for sure though we don't know the specific date yet. I don't see myself contributing anything to the success of artists outside SMTown (IDK where this fanaticism came from, tbh lol), but EXO got good competition and they really need to step it up.
It was until I joined the fandom as a whole, I followed blogs on tumblr, engage in discussions in
exochocolate, it became crystal clear to me how EXO fans have been waiting FOREVER for a comeback that doesn't seem to be seen.As I became a part of the fandom, I too, now joined the army of anxious EXO fans whose patience running thin as they wait for the long-awaited comeback with bated breath. There are hundreds of EXO come back jokes out there, a typographic poster that says "EXO is never coming back", or a picture of a skeleton in front of a set of computer depicting an EXO fan who waited for the comeback that never comes.
I joined the fandom late, but from what I read, comeback rumors have been going around several times. Last time, the rumor was that EXO will be coming back in February. Complete with a screencap of single/album release schedule of most SM Entertainment's artists for the first half of 2013. This also, of course, was just another irresponsible gossip someone throws out there. Or probably it was a prediction, because many of them just didn't happen. EunHae's new single was written to be released in February, I wouldn't mind if it's true but it doesn't seem to be.
Instead of EXO, SM released a statement that SHINee is coming back on Feb 19. There's no way the company is going to promote two groups at a time, so EXO fans, again, can bury their dreams of getting a new single, or new anything in the next 4 weeks, really.
Anyway, as I engage in discussions, though I'm not really familiar with K-Pop, I could understand how this delay (if it really is a delay) is a good decision. SM Entertainment more than anyone understand how to do business in this industry. B.A.P and Nu'Est, two rookie groups who also debuted last year and are exactly the same age range as EXO (if not younger), are releasing singles this month. This industry is not a game. Though EXO is winning in numbers, B.A.P is coming real close. They won a lot of rookie awards, and they got really good reviews in terms of live performance, stage presence, and the "bad boy" image they portrayed in their MVs which is different with other existing boybands (? can't say anything about this). Also, that bunny mascot is brilliant, IMO. If it really was a strategy, SM doesn't want to risk releasing EXO's new album at the same time with them and compete for the same target market. They could win, but it's bad for the numbers.
EXO is tricky. When they release something it has to be both EXO-K and EXO-M, which means two albums, two versions for each song, two MVs for each song, two promotion plans in Korea and in China ... In short, there is so. Much. Work. And I believe SM wants to make sure everything is perfect before they release anything into the wild to get the best outcome of their cash cows they've invested so much in.
I'm not really sure about EXO myself, actually (I'm not blind stanning, ... though sometimes I do). Granted, they all are adorable, but personality wise, they're not that interesting to follow. Many of them are just too shy. The one that is not shy is Chanyeol and he's just a bit wacky. There's no big personality in there, and I don't feel the presence of a leader from any of the leaders. Looks, you can polish, but personality, no matter what kind of training you've went through, you just can't. Their interviews are boring at times or even worse painful to watch. They're like a bunch of kids who takes order from the company and are too afraid to mess up. And the worst is ... they ALWAYS lip-sync (okay, almost always). Let them sing the fuck live, SM. Though I like their theatrical performance, it took so much from their stage presence. We don't need to hear the same tape played over and over again. These all are maaaybe acceptable for a rookie boy band, but with better competitors raising the bar up high, expectations are higher than ever. They need to sell themselves more and stop resting on the pretty.
(phew ... I really didn't know this entry is going this way ... that was long and I need some sleep)
So ... yeah, EXO is coming back this year for sure though we don't know the specific date yet. I don't see myself contributing anything to the success of artists outside SMTown (IDK where this fanaticism came from, tbh lol), but EXO got good competition and they really need to step it up.