Wow… that was my initial response to hearing this. When the
rumors came out I was hoping they weren’t true. Guess it is too late for that
now…
Even though EXO debuted about 2 years ago, they have risen
to be one of the most popular Korean idol groups in a while; selling over a
million copies of their album, which has been unheard of since the 90’s.
I literally just took the time a few weeks ago to learn all
of their names, download all their songs, watch all their programs, etc. in
time for their comeback because, to be honest, they are a hardworking and
talented group. SO you can say I have become slightly in love/obsessed. Imagine
my surprise - JUST after I spent all of this time getting to know them - that
one of the members, not just any - but one the leaders - Kris, is wanting out… shock.
Now, specifically for SM entertainment, this is not the
first time this has happened, a few years back one of the greatest rising boy
bands of the time DBSK (동방신기) [pictured below on top] had the same issue with their
three members, now known as JYJ [the three standing on the left]. Super Junior [pictured below on the bottom] also went through the same thing
with their member Hangeng. I don’t want
to re-dig up old wounds of the past issues though - if you want, you can look
up the details of those yourselves. I will however let you know that the
artists were successful in both of their cases against SM.
Now, I am someone who got into KPOP at the end of 2009 /
beginning of 2010 so this is the first time something like this is happening to
a group I’m into, at this large of a scale.
There is a lot of speculation as to what the members are
feeling and doing at the moment, and since they all just made instagram
accounts recently, it has been noted that they have all un-followed Kris. Whether
or not this is their own actions, or whether their phones have been taken, and
the company is controlling them is something we cant know for sure (though I
seriously hope it is the latter – I’d hate to think that their “We Are One”
motto was shattered so easily). Likewise whether Kris mentioned his desire to
leave to them and they ignored it, or chose to keep it a secret altogether, are
among the large number of things we can never know for sure, unless Kris and
the members tell us themselves.
I implore everyone to let time sort this out. None of us
were there, I’m sure even the members themselves are confused, so we cant
really know what is happening for sure until we hear it from Kris himself. And
if he doesn’t decide to open up, we will never know for sure. I hope you all
don’t feel that you need to choose sides, I hope we can all support Kris in his
endeavor, because it is no secret that his company does put it’s artists through
difficult schedules, but that doesn’t mean we should abandon EXO as a whole either.
That being said, I also don’t think going back and
overanalyzing Kris’s actions will do us any good, because he was a more
reserved person to begin with. Drawing conclusions without fact wont do anything for anyone.
I’m not sure that continuing to have their concert - when it
has been reported that Kris has not returned with the group to Korea - is a good
thing since it seems the fandom is torn right now. At the same time it is their first solo concert so canceling
it might cause a lot of setbacks. Nonetheless, what we need most right now is
to believe in Kris and believe in EXO. It is not an easy thing to go up against a giant like SM so I'm sure Kris would appreciate love and not hate in this time. Same goes for the other members.
SM Entertainment on the other hand can use this time to get their
act together, and their priorities straight.
*Note* I mean no ill-will to Kris or EXO so I hope I
don’t offend anyone with the things I’ve said. I’m a fan like all of you, so
let’s wait this out and hope for the best all together!
Let me know what you guys think down below!
#webelieveinyoukris
#EXOfighting
Links to everything so far:
Thanks for reading; Take care,
xoxo SiSi
