Chapter Thirty-One: Welcome EXO
lbum project, and we'll resume filming v from tomorrow.""The set for 《dope》 is finished, and the professional camera company needed for filming has also been contacted. We will start shooting immediat...You guys played so many songs last year, don't be nervous, it's no different from before.
In the waiting room, Lee Seong-hwan saw that several members were clearly nervous. As soon as they came in, their foreheads started to sweat, and some kept pacing back and forth restlessly. Looking at them, he felt worried for them.
"Don't worry, Cheng Huan ge, we've been preparing for this stage for too long. We wouldn't make a mistake even if we closed our eyes."
Kim Jun-myeon offered a comforting word, but actually his expression wasn't that great either.
Even Chi Jingyuan wasn't as relaxed in the standby room as before, playing games leisurely. Instead, he sat there, seeming a little dazed.
The atmosphere was such that he too felt rather uneasy.
There's no way around it, this comeback after months apart is a crucial one for EXO's future. Everyone is too invested and focused on it, to the point where they're afraid something might go wrong and are constantly anxious and stressed about it.
Today is May 30th, the day they return to their debut stage. At this time, all members of EXO are backstage at the M! Countdown music show.
After the concept photos for their comeback on the 16th were released, both fans and online communities have given overwhelmingly positive responses. This time EXO's school concept is truly eye-catching. Compared to other popular boy groups with heavy makeup, hip hop, and metal styles, EXO's style comes across as fresh and unique.
This set of photos not only gives many student groups of fans a natural good feeling, but the most profound impression is the word 'handsome'.
This is also the simplest style of EXO's comeback pictorial this time, everything serves this theme.
Subsequently, on the 17th and 19th, individual concept photos for the members were released. Many of the members' new looks received positive feedback, especially Ji-won's this time around. His styling was quite eye-catching. The company Cody specially designed a short, rainbow-colored hairstyle for him which is really eye-catching.
The original photo is already handsome, and the makeup photos were specially retouched, making them even more heart-fluttering. It's said that many fans downloaded the pictures after they were released to use as wallpapers and keep admiring them.
The debut promotional photos were well-received, and this comeback with a completely revamped image for EXO garnered significant attention.
However, after the release of a teaser video for their title track "Wolf" on May 23rd, some other voices began to emerge.
The MV outfits for the title track are not the school-style concept photos. To match the song's setting, the clothing has a dark and wild style. Although they aren't ugly and look quite cool, they don't grab attention like the previous graduation photos and are somewhat different from many people's expectations.
Besides that, the trailer's style carries **'s usual middle school aesthetic. EXO members inside are like wolves constantly baring their teeth and growling, looking quite strange.
Chi Jingyuan felt very strange when he was filming this trailer. After it was released, he watched it once and quit directly without finishing it.
This is so embarrassing.
Although the reviews are mixed, overall, even with a long hiatus, this comeback has generated a lot of attention. The first step is considered successful.
"It's still the same process as before. Later, Jun-Myeon will take us to visit our seniors and give them our album. This season of MC has some big senior guests like Myth and Lee Hyo Ri, so we definitely have to say hello."
Then we just wait for our rehearsal time, the staff will come and call us.
"Just returned, the first week's MC scores are not counted, so don't think about ranking. Our music hasn't been officially released yet, you can be nervous when we start performing next week."
Li Cheng Huan, seeing the tense atmosphere, took the initiative to speak up and ease the members' anxiety. After explaining a few things, he clapped his hands and, at the same time, extended his right hand and shouted loudly:
Alright, everyone get energized, EXO, Fighg!
"Fight!"
The members also cheered themselves on, and the assistants and makeup artists next to them gathered in a circle, extending their right hands and overlapping them in the middle. They clapped together with force.
This kind of encouragement is quite effective, even if the nervous feelings remain, but at least the atmosphere in the waiting room has improved afterwards, allowing people to wait quietly.
After sitting for a while, the members went out for a walk and paid a visit to the seniors who participated in this recording.
Recently, both Myth and Lee Hyori made a comeback at the same time, which has caused quite a stir. This episode featured both of them recording together, so EXO naturally went up to greet them.
Besides that, there are also 4ute and hellowven, a few groups they or more or less know, who have been on some variety shows together before, such as the O-sports festival three months ago, where Chi Jingyuan had briefly chatted with them.
These combinations EXO were also very enthusiastic in the past, standing up and exchanging albums, giving each other a high five.
As soon as he stepped into the waiting room, Ji Jingyuan, despite being at the very back of the group, felt several pairs of eyes fixed on him.
He really stood out this time, up close, several female idols' eyes were shining.
After visiting everyone, I returned to the waiting room and rested for a while. Then the staff informed me to go to rehearsal.
This rehearsal truly reflected the EXO members' anxiety. A single run-through was as intense as a real performance, with every move executed with full effort and precision. After several minutes of dancing, everyone was drenched in sweat and gasping for air when they came offstage.
However, there were no errors, and the stage effects were also quite good. It can be considered as eating a reassurance pill.
Next, they sat in the waiting room. After the recording officially began, they watched the stage through the indoor TV until staff came to notify them, "EXO is about to go on stage!"
"inside."
With a nod, the members who were already prepared all stood up. They looked at each other, let out a long breath, and then lined up and walked out to the stage entrance, waiting.
Right now, 4ute is performing. They are singing "What's Your Name", the title track from their fourth mini album which was released in April. It has been very successful, winning seven number one spots on various music shows.
"Fighting!"
They finished their performance quickly, and after taking their bows, they walked down and saw EXO in the wings. They smiled at them, extended their fists to cheer them on, and then passed each other.
"It's a really good feeling to be able to do activities with our first-generation family, but it also makes me feel proud and happy to see the capable younger generations."
"Yes, this is the team we're meeting, right"
"Last year, EXO made a dazzling debut and won numerous rookie awards. With their first full-length album, they are back as a complete 12-member group with EXO-K and EXO-M, making it even more anticipated."
"Inside, I watched during rehearsals, the performance was truly art, so cool."
"Now it's officially released! Welcome EXO!"
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