Korean Media News

SM Entertainment is the nation’s best music agency. Possibly because of this, even becoming a trainee is not easy. Just because you got lucky and became a trainee does not mean that is the end. Among the aspirants, it is impossible to avoid the harsh competition. From there, you must stand out, and before your actual debut, you must cry many tears for a long period of time.
From such a company like SM, a rookie group was introduced. After ‘SHINee,’ it is their first boy group in 4 years. The hero is ‘EXO-K.’ With leader Suho at the head, D.O, Kai, Chanyeol, Sehun, and Baekhyun make up a 6-member group that dreams to be a ‘Hallyu star’ and ambitiously called a challenge upon the music industry. Because they are the rookies from the idol kingdom SM, the anticipation is high.
Of course, before their debut, they went through a succession of difficult journeys. However, the members endured through the long and longer trainee period and gritted their teeth. Every day at the practice room, they sang and danced. The longest time spent doing that was 7 years. After passing through the tunnel of endurance, on April 8th, they were able to debut with ‘MAMA’ on the music program stage that they so wanted to stand on.
“It would be a lie to say that the trainee period was not hard. There was a lot of fear too. The SM seniors have done such a great job opening the path of Kpop. What if, by chance, I couldn’t follow well in their steps, am I not meeting the expectations of other people – these burdens were great on me. That’s why I clung on more to practicing and was able to keep running without stealing a glance away.” (Suho)
Now it’s been a month since their debut. We explored the situations before ‘EXO-K’ entered the world. Although they are just rookies that just set foot in the music industry, anybody could see how much effort and perseverance they held.


◆ “Prepared for 15 hours a day, for 7 years at the longest”
On average 3 years and 6 months. This is the period of time it took EXO-K to debut. By each member, the shortest was 1 year ~ longest 7 years for trainee lifestyle. There were also many difficult situations. Trainees that entered later than them debuted before them, and right at the verge of debut, many broke down in frustration. There were many times when they wanted to give up. However, they dreamed and did not stop.
“I’ve trained at SM for 7 years. It was a long period of waiting. Often, when someone who entered later than me debuted, I was jealous. But I had my dream and did not give up. On the contrary, those painful memories became medicine for me as a form of self-reflection. As a result, it was a chance for me to build more external as well as internal talents.” (Suho)
Before their debut, EXO-K lived a more fierce life than professional artists. Arriving at the company while seeing the morning sun and going home as you greet the morning dew was their lifestyle. Excluding eating time, more than half of the day was spent on just singing and dancing practice. Even before their debut, they had the sense that the competition of the world of the stage is more fierce than anything else.
“We arrive at the company at 11 in the morning and start practice. The ending time was usually 3~4 in the morning. First, we take the appointed singing and dancing lessons. The rest of the time, we practiced what we personally lacked in. Time to each lunch and dinner was around 1 hour, so we practiced for 15 hours. Even if nobody told us to, we did so.” (Chanyeol)



◆ “Nerve-wrecking first stage, regretful more than moving”
After the time of endurance, the team of 6 has been made. And after practicing for a year, they were able to debut with the name ‘EXO-K.’ After 100 days of promotions, with their brother group, ‘EXO-M,’ which is made up of Chinese members, they were able to complete their debut showcases at Korea’s Olympic Stadium and China’s University of International Business and Economics.
“Even the 100 days of promotion, as well as the Olympic Stadium showcase, we receive great benefits that you really can’t think of as a rookie’s debut. It was such a splendid debut to the point where you wonder if we can receive all of it. Dancing and singing in front of fans that cheered for us… It was a moment where we were so moved and happy because of the cheers that exceeded our imaginations.” (D.O)
Such happiness was one moment. After officially completing their debut state on April 8^th, at SBS-TV ‘Inkigayo,’ EXO-K has returned to the basics. It was not an easy task to match the flow of the cameras, match the dance of all 6 members, and display an unshakable live performance. As regrettable the first stage was, the more effort they are putting in.
“The first live stage was not easy. We used in-ears for the first time, and trying to sing live was also very burdensome. Matching the flow of the cameras was also hard. It was very regrettable because we couldn’t show as much talent as when we practiced. From then on, we practiced from rage(?). Outside of the time we spend on our schedules, we invest the most time in practicing and monitoring” (Baekhyun).
In particular, the advice given by company seniors ‘TVXQ’ U-Know Yunho and ‘ Super Junior’ Leeteuk was a very strong help.
“After the first broadcast ended, U-Know Yunho senior personally checked from Japan and called. He told us to try to sing every morning while running. When we did just as he said, our live skills got much better. We were able to feel the power that filled the Tokyo Dome. Leeteuk senior stressed team work. When we shared many conversations with each other, our dancing also matched on its own. It was such a moving and inspirational advice” (Kai).


◆ “Want to be like DongBang’s majesty + Suju’s talents”
The group that shows effort without laziness both before and after their debut, ‘EXO-K’ is gradually developing. The name ‘EXO’ comes from an extraterrestrial world ‘EXOPLANET.’ As accordance to this, they dream of becoming a group with singing skills and performances that surpass others. Until the day that they take their place as well-rounded singers, they plan on focusing on their role as ‘singers.’
“We want to be like TVXQ’s charisma, Superjunior’s talent, SHINee’s individual uniqueness.” Also, we want to have within that outstanding live talents, become an amazing performance group that anybody can acknowledge. We want to become a mysterious group to the point where the population really thinks ‘Could they really be a group from an outer world?’ (Sehun-Suho).
With such meaning, their debut song ‘MAMA’ is a song that best presents the skills that EXO-K possesses. From its magnificent sound and powerful performance to the lyrics where hold a message about social criticism, there is no part that is made easily. They hope that fans can listen to the lyrics and empathize while being amazed at the special choreography.
“The role of a singer is not to recite lyrics but to communicate them. All generations can empathize with lyrics that criticize the digital world. In the chorus, the fast rolling step choreography is the first to be done in Korea, a trendy Chicago dub-step. I’d also like it if the majestic sound will reach the hearts of the fans” (Kai).
After finishing the interview, the EXO-K members said, “Although it hasn’t been long since we had our first stage, thank you so much for giving us much love and interest. We will work even harder to repay that. We will make ‘EXO’ known not only in Korea but also throughout the entire world. Please watch over us” and did a hwaiting. You could feel their sincerity through their serious gazes.









Source: Dispatch
Translated by gpark @ CXO