My Perspective on EXO...

I actually used to be a huge EXO fan last year and maybe even when they first debuted. SM Entertainment created a huge hype when EXO was just about to debut back in 2012. So I was really excited for them. And when they finally came out with their songs, "What is Love", "History" & "Mama", I wasn't super impressed but I did like their songs. Back in 2012, EXO was basically just one of those K-pop groups I listened to but not really may favorite. Then last year in 2013, there was another big hype for EXO's comeback. And for me, I was even more excited because I found out they were coming back as a group as a whole (not just separated by K and M). And when they came out with song, "Wolf", I actually didn't like the song itself at first. But I LOVED the MV. Their choreography was on point and I was just so mesmerized. Because of this MV, I purchased my very first K-pop album (I had other K-pop albums previously but I bought it off my friend who got it in the Philippines). And this album was legit because it came straight from S.Korea AND I absolutely loved all the songs on the album. And then they released the song "Growl" which became like my most favorite song, choreography, and MV ever (at the time)! And I just became a huge fan for EXO after that. I ended up buying all their albums (except the repackaged XOXO because I already had the first version :P). At the time, my bias's were Kris (because he spoke English) and Baekhyun (because I coincidentally got all his photocards in every album except in Miracles in December). And then EXO became the new faces of Nature Republic so I was DYING to get my hands on any merchandise with them and then they had their show EXO Showtime...I was just so obsessed. Fast forward to 2014 and I finally got most of EXO Nature Republic products and pre-ordered their Overdose album. And then...and then... Kris nullifies his contract with SM and the K-pop fandom world goes crazy (including me)! Half the fans are against SM, acusing them for their strict contracts. The other half are upset that Kris left during promotions and right before their first concert. Then, EXO members had some (what I call) "tough love" comments indirectly towards Kris and... it was just a mess when he left EXO. I guess I was so obsessed with EXO at the time that I couldn't even sleep that night this all happened and I felt so broken that my bias left lol. I mean I got over it after a week but after that, I REALLY, just REALLY couldn't view EXO the same way. It's not that I hated EXO and SM Entertainment for what happened, I just couldn't love the group the same way knowing that a member left. EXO just didn't feel complete to me anymore. And as much as I wished Kris would have come back, the reality was that clearly Kris wasn't satisfied with SM and he just wanted a new change. From what I see in the K-pop industry, idols don't really have a lot of freedom in general. And so being an idol can be really frustrating because they are always so busy working and always being the in public's eye. We will never truly know why exactly Kris wanted to leave, nor what the other members really thought about the situation but sometimes, shit just happens. After that, I listened to EXO a little less and I just really couldn't watch any shows with them as a group as a whole because it just wasn't the same for me. EXCEPT, I would watch Roommate... because Chanyeol became my new bias lol. I just really adore Chanyeol's personality :3. Anyway, fast forward a couple months later and Luhan also nullifies his contract with SM. And now I'm just confused. When Luhan left, it seemed like the members were more supportive this time around. Although I feel like Luhan left because the fandom for EXO was just too big. He was one of the members who really expressed his frustration of some hardcore fangirls following him around and invading his privacy. So it kind of felt expected that he would leave. But the reason why I am confused with this fandom for EXO is that I honestly think they have been over-hyped these past three years. For example, they are nominated and leading in many categories for the MAMA awards and I just cannot find myself voting for them. Like there were so many other good songs and artists but EXO is literally taking over almost every category. I admit Overdose was a good song but others songs were good too. I want them to win at least some categories but I do not think they deserve to win all (that they were nominated for). I mean they won the two previous years in a few categories and this year wasn't even their strongest year. I think last year was their best year yet. Idk, I still just feel weird about EXO. But, now that they are down to 10 members, I hope that they can prove to everyone that they are stronger than ever and will grow as a whole. They had one heck of a rough year and I look forward to what they have to show in the future. So maybe one day, I will go back to this fandom. But for now, EXO is just one of those groups I listen but they are not my most favorite group.