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EXO’s youthful confessions
Every year in the Korean music industry, a huge bunch of new groups will emerge, in order to break out of the circle of competitors they must stabilise their positions, aside from needing a powerful and generous “back up”helping out behind the scenes, it’s also very important for the members to have their own strengths and unique characteristics too. Popular korean boy group EXO have the support of the huge company SM and have already won an award, furthermore EXO is made up of EXO-K and EXO-M combined; one concentrating in Korea, one concentrating in the Chinese market, with the ability to become the elements of Asian pop music, no wonder despite only having debuted for almost a year, they’ve already become the popular group of the Hallyu wave’s new era. Just before returning to their music industry, EXO will firstly share with us their funny stories from their school life, also telling us their feelings about their one year anniversary since debut in the middle.
Paying close attention even prior to debut
EXO are a boy group released by SM Entertainment company in 2012, the members include EXO-M’s Xiumin, Lu Han, Kris, Lay, Chen and Tao, the 6 members concentrate on activities in China, whereas EXO-K’s 6 members: Suho, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, D.O, Kai and Sehun concentrate on activities in Korea, in total the group has 12 members. Because of the number of members in EXO, their appearance and their style all have a few similarities to their seniors Super Junior, so even before they debuted they received a lot of attention, what’s more people even think that they are the successors of Super Junior. Last year, with the Korean version and the Mandarin version of “MAMA,” the two groups EXO-K and EXO-M debuted in Korea and China at the same time. After the song was released, EXO received a large amount of attention from fans. Although to this day, EXO have only debuted for just a year, but they have already participated in numerous large scale music awards worldwide as well as SMTOWN concerts and gained much popularity, becoming the new era’s boy group that girls support.
Sehun escaping from the casting agent.
Everyone knows that SM is Korea’s largest idol factory, creating a lot of popular groups, including TVXQ, Super Junior, SNSD, SHINee etc. SM have always known how to pick people well, yet even the process of uncovering EXO was particularly special!
Suho: “ever since I was young I’ve wanted to be a singer, in junior high when I participated in public activities, it just happened that a singing and dance competition was being held next door, when I was looking at the competition from the side, suddenly someone gave me a card and told me to audition, and that’s how I started my 7 years of training.”
Kai: “I am the only member who auditioned by myself, in year 2 I started learning jazz dance and ballet, even though I learnt two types of dance, but I never thought of becoming a singer. Until one time I saw singer seniors performing on television with a lot of charm, thus bringing about the idea of becoming a singer, after preparing for one and a half years I participated in a talent show.”
Sehun: “One day when I was in primary school year 6, I was eating ddeokbokki with my friends on the street, a representative noona gave me a card asking me if I wanted to audition, at the time I was very young and surprised, and my mum always told me that if I came across a weird person I should run away, so I didn’t think of it and left. That noona chased me for 30 minutes, after I understood what was going on, I went to audition.”
Performance Report Time!!
It is said that between EXO and their fans, the background for all of the live talks is the mutual pitting of smart comments against each other, yet every time, there is always new material, no wonder they are that so called cute and unique team with strong relationship bonds, (laughs).
MC: So, how far along are your preparations for this new album? What kind of style is it? Why don’t you introduce it a bit?
Kris: I’m the leader so I’d better answer this question. The new album is currently in a state of preparation, we’re currently in the stage of recording, as a whole, it has still not come out yet, as for the style……do you guys think our current style doesn’t look good and we should change? (Aren’t you purposely making our lives difficult here －－)
Fans: Don’t change!!!
Kris: Then we won’t change, we’ll come out with another album next year with this style, okay?
Fans: Okay!!!
(A dialogue commences!)
Kris: Since the overall whole is still not settled, however, the members and I still don’t have a clear idea, but we will quickly hurry back to your side with a new look.
MC: Because M and K groups are two parts of a whole, are there any interesting events that have happened while M and K have practiced together?
Kris: Xiumin can answer this question.
Xiumin: Practicing together itself is already really happy, so there isn’t really anything in particular. (Chinese) Kris, can you translate?
Kris: Translate? Anytime……. (a half minute passes) ah, what did you just say? (getting mercilessly laughed at by the girls offstage) well then, he just said that because practicing as a whole is already fun, there isn’t anything that stands out in particular.
MC: The feeling of sharing a stage with your seniors and other artists?
Lay: It’s truly really happy to be able to stand and perform on the same stage with SJ-M, their vocals, their dancing, as well as their control of their presence onstage, are all things we should definitely learn from, and moreover, our seniors, all this while, have been giving us guidance, whether it be for singing, dancing, or their stage experience, even for acting, we need to put in more effort to work harder and learn even more from our seniors, so that we won’t let down our seniors and the care they gave us, and only that way can we become an even better group.
Earnest Confessions Time
With the Talk coming to an end, every member was required to tell the fans one true confession.
Tao: Right now we’re in the middle of preparing a new album, and although practice is really hard, whenever I see you guys I’m super happy, the feeling’s like melting.
Chen: Are you guys happy today? Really I’m so thankful to all of you! I love all of you!
Xiumin: I hope you guys will be happy, I love you all!
Luhan: They’ve said everything I wanted to say (Wu Sincere: that should be my line, since I’m behind you in this lineup, okay) Okay, well, then, I love you guys!!! (young man’s crisp Beijing accent, made a heart with his hand and shyly ducked his head, not forgetting to blow a kiss at the end)
Lay: I talk a lot every time, so how about I’ll do like duizhang and sing a little, okay? (fangirls were in an uproar)
Shortly after he sang an original song a capella, both his voice and the melody were great, bringing tears to my eyes.
Kris: (because of the behavior of the members who went before him, he has been pushed into the rut) I love you all!
Numbing cuteness time!!
When the MC asked who in the group likes to act cute the most, the entire audience all knew that the most numbing moment had arrived, a question related to acting cute, although in one look it was for what the youngest had specially prepared, but thinking back to LA K-POP CON, even Kris did not escape the fate of bbuingbbuing, this time he even happened to catch the entire audience’s birthday party, then the numbing index had to directly upgrade. Sure enough, the MC expressed when the audience was calm: “Anyone being cute in private cannot be seen by anyone, since you’ve come no one should leave, let’s see each of you do aegyo.”
Maknae: Do you all want to see it? If you all want to see then I will let you see it. Where is the cameraman? (The surrounding geges all turned their bodies to look at the close-up of the maknae on the big screen, when he bbuingbbuing’ed the maknae’s mouth pursed into a small V~ the geges who were affected by the cute gave various applauses, um, meanwhile Xiao Lu support your chin a bit all right?)
Chen: (Especially has a shy rice cake cavity) Ah, that (squinting), I love you all (at the same time as bbuingbbuing, Xiumin-ge raised his arms cheering, Xiao Lu again didn’t protect his chin T T)
Xiumin: (Wanted to shrink backwards and was pushed to the front of the stage by Lu Han and Lay) I love you all~ (explosion of cute in Baozi face, jiejies melted)
Lu Han originally wanted to push Lay to the front first, trying different ways to pass the microphone, but he was pushed by Lay. He could only stand at the front at a loss, too shy and not looking at the camera, can the Beijing man do the aegyo he isn’t used to or not, not even making a sound, only the bbuingbbuing gesture, but with a gaze matching a morning little deer and head of little curly hairs, still a little shaken, Dazui’s camera cracked with a popping sound T T
Lay marched (child is this okay?) to the front of the stage, looked below, bowed his head with an “ah” sound signalled the beginning, and then raised a hand by his face, scratched two OTL’s, in this situation Dazui was speechless. If Lay changed the set act into a cat, it would also look all right, Dazui was going to cry. The last highlight arrived, Kris still didn’t have any gestures, those below had already yelled up a storm, Lay’s “Secret Time” was still in front of them, the fans undoubtedly anticipated the results of Wu’s n times of acting cute, and anticipating, overflowing screams of “make a cute picture towards us” (there were none) came one after another.
Kris: I know I cannot escape it, but please give me 30 seconds, I have something I want to say, is there a camera on me? (crouching on one knee and pointing at the big screen waving his arm) Do I need to look here? Okay, my birthday’s almost here, I have never had such a meaningful birthday before, I have seen everything that everyone has done for me, whether it’s charity events or birthday propagations or other things, I have seen it all. I also want to give you all a present, give me ten seconds and keep the secret for me. I’m a little embarrassed, but can I sing a song? (MC: Don’t forget to make a cute expression.) There will be that, I didn’t forget, but before that what do I want to sing. (The fans screamed, Two Moon Two Moons Two Moons Two Moons! At the same time the chorus of the birthday song began, various warmth wasn’t there)
In the end Kris sang <As Long As I Still Have You>. He had just sang the two words “if”, the entire audience’s chorus had already lined up, isn’t there a great tacit agreement? It was even the first time we could hear Kris Wu sing at this kind of distance in this way, and it was a capella, baritone sound ringing along with the fans’ crisp harmonies, the sound texture was warm and full. The image of Kris singing with his eyes closed and the usual atmosphere of the audience was completely different, one more nickname wouldn’t be too many, so rapper Wu Sincere-classmate actually has a lot of potential as a lyrical artist. At the very end, Sincere-classmate didn’t forget to launching light waves thanking the fans: “Thank you to the all of you that I like, thank you all for continually saying thanks.”
trans cr; angi + hyewon @ exom-trans
please take out with full credits
do NOT repost on tumblr
Not having debuted for a year yet but their popularity is bursting.
First time publicly revealing an exclusive report from their visit to Taiwan
EXO-M, the boy group introduced by SM ENTERTAINMENT with the most members after SUPER JUNIOR, the number of members is high at twelve. The members are separated into two small groups, EXO-K and EXO-M; K representing Korea, M representing Mandarin, the two groups debuted with the same song, at the same time with the only differences being one in Korean and one in Chinese, one in Korea and one in China. The name EXO is from the word “EXOPLANET,” a foreign planet outside of our solar system, the meaning being that the new group is like “a new star from an unknown world,” the two small groups are split doing activities in the Korean and Chinese markets, and also progressively advancing to the whole world, with the ambition of EXO’s music circulating the whole world.
EXO-M have yet to debut for a full year, just like Super Junior-M, having the Chinese market as their target. Consisting of four Chinese members: Kris, Tao, Lay, Lu Han and two Korean members: Xiumin, Chen, April this year they released Chinese mini album “MAMA,” the record sales were smashing, obtaining unprecedented reactions. EXO-M who have already come to Taiwan twice for performances, when they were having a concert in Tainan with their seniors a few days ago, they attracted almost a hundred crazy fans onchartered buses [to follow them]. Leader Kris said: “This is our second time coming to Taiwan, this time we just happened to have the chance to participate in promotional activities, seeing so many fans come to the airport and to the places we perform to support us, the members are all very happy and excited, and we hope that later we will be able to perform even more in Taiwan, to reciprocate fans.” The issue this time also exclusively interviews each of the members of EXO-M, therefore bringing up to 10 pages of splendid photos and Q&A, prying into the secret topics between the members of EXO-M.
EXO-M Photoshoot Tidbits
(top to bottom)
When asked about a catchphrase, Xiumin wouldn’t stop hinting something to Lu Han with his eyes, afterwards Lu Han loosened his mouth and exposed, because Xiu Min’s relationship with him was too good, there are some jokes that can only be used between good friends! (Xiu Min looks at Lu Han and laughs! Chen in the back was also startled by what Xiu Min’s catchphrase actually was……)
Because Lay, Kris, Lu Han, are all members from China, when talking about when they got to know each other in a foreign land, they were especially happy, at long last they have good brothers who will look out for each other!
Xiu Min really is the King of Funniness! When he was demonstrating by himself his small funny movements, even he couldn’t help but laugh out loud, Tao and Chen who were beside him were also happily amused by him.
When speaking about Xiu Min’s “baby face” that ingeniously fooled everyone, Kris and Lu Han who are the same age as him couldn’t even help looking back to the funny image of when they were initially intimidated.
Popular newcomers of the year EXO-M go on stage
When EXO-M members introduced the video, once it appeared on screen, the scene created an intense cheering sound for support, SM’s rookies of the year really are just like their group name, these new stars with extraordinary momentum from an unknown world. The first song brought by EXO-M was their debut song <MAMA>, during the powerful beat, the 6 members made the scene crazy with their powerful and neat dance, the shooting of the fireworks at the end of the song made everyone even more surprised with the stage, apart from this classic song, EXO-M also brought emotional <Angel> as well as the trendy electronic genre song <HISTORY>, with these three songs they demonstrated their diverse images, as well as allowed fans to look even more forward to all the different ways that they could see EXO-M again in the future! EXO-M who only just officially debuted this May, stepped on Taiwan’s stage previously through the SMTOWN tour, this is their second time coming to Taiwan, however just from looking at the response of the loud cheers from the scene, we can see that they already have a lot of fans in Taiwan.
EXO-M
Kind charm loudly saying they love you
When they accepted interviews, Kris said it was the first coming to Tainan, last night the plane they took with SJ-M seniors arrived in Taiwan very late, but the moment they got off, they saw many enthusiastic fans who specially came to welcome them, they were very happy, he even concentratedly said: “Before we wondered why SJ-M would choose to come to Taiwan for longstays, now we completely understand why.” They succeeded in triggering another wave of shouts of greeting. Tao also continued to reveal that lately they’ve been practicing and preparing a new album in Korea, this stage is a performance that has been suspended for a long time, being able to be on stage with SJ-M seniors is very honoring and happy, Chen then directly yelled loudly: “I love you all”, beside him Xiumin promptly followed to yell: “I also love you all!” Luhan then outdid them all even more, loudly saying: “I love you all more more more!” letting the fans go crazy happy again, Lay then expressed with a smile: After today we will work hard for everyone to become the best EXO-M!, letting the audience shake their light sticks cheering for them. Lastly leader Kris said his thanks to the fans, promising: “We will quickly come back~” Everyone please anticipate it!
EXO-M’s Quick Highlights in Taiwan
After the friendly musical performance at Tainan City, EXO-M immediately rushed non stop to Taibei, starting a string of announcement time marathons.
EXO-M’s Reminders: Everyone has to pay attention to their safety!
EXO-M who have been enthusiastically chased by fans starting from when they arrived, the members saw everyone’s enthusiastic support, other than feeling quite happy, they also did not forget to remind the fans all the time to be sure to pay attention to their safety, they’re really “pulling sweet hearts (T/N: caring)”. And the night that EXO-M left Taiwan, the Taoyuan airport was even more paralyzed, EXO-M’s charm is amazing! We believe the enthusiasm of Taiwan’s fans have already left a deep impression on EXO-M, and they will also quickly come to Taiwan again to see everyone! TRENDY will anticipate it with everyone!
Having just finished their second performance in Taiwan the night before, EXO-M was on the way north from Tainan early the next morning, beginning the short and intense first promotion schedule in Taiwan. The fans that are well-informed on news brought painstakingly prepared support foods and presents, letting EXO-M be surprised and grateful towards the Taiwanese fans’ hard-working support.
EXO-M whose two times in Taiwan both cannot be thought of as long also revealed that they are currently working hard to prepare a new musical piece in Korea, and Taiwan’s fans love towards them, they will also keep these happy and wonderful memories well, they hope that they will be able to quickly have chances to bring their performance, after they have finished preparing, in front of Taiwan’s fans, and even more, they hope to be able to take advantage of their promotional schedules in Taiwan this time to let everyone have a greater understanding of the new group of them.
source; mr107’s weibo
trans cr; hyewon + xuan @exom-trans
please take out with full credits.
EXO-M’s second time coming to Taiwan
Fans gives a super amount of strength
EXO, the new group that S.M.Entertainment have introduced this year, is composed of 12 members, then dividing them into two teams, EXO-K and EXO-M. Among EXO-M they have the same concepts as seniors Super Junior-M, hoping to have the Chinese circle as their development base, so among the members there are also native Chinese members, and they’re even of a bigger proportion than that of their seniors, the 4 Chinese members among them are KRIS, LAY, LU HAN, TAO, and the two Korean members XIUMIN, CHEN, after debuting this year April, have already come to Taiwan twice, and every time they come they’re even more popular, what interesting things happened this time they’ve come to Taiwan? Let’s have a look at this exciting article up close together!
2012 Tainan International Friendly Music Concert
In Taiwan’s southern portion there are rarely concert events, especially international-level artists coming to perform, September 8, “2012 Tainan International Friendly Music Concert” converged Taiwan, Japan, and Korea’s amazing groups, among them were Super Junior-M and EXO-M who gain the biggest focus, the moment they appear, in an instant southern Taiwan’s temperature rose several degrees.
Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean artists gathered together
In Korea, Japan, and China, starting from a few years ago, they frequently had large multinational concerts, by the performance content of the concert, aside from letting many countries’ big artists interact, they also let the audience feel the power of music no matter the country, last month in Tainan there was a grand friendship festival that gathered Taiwan’s Lollipop F and Dream Girls, Japan’s w-inds, Koyanagi Yuki, along with the Chinese language groups from Korea, Super Junior-M and EXO-M . The artists from overseas not only personally came to perform for the fans but also took advantage of the occasion to feel Tainan’s ancient capital’s cultural style.
EXO-M danced until their entire bodies were sweating
When the male idol group that SM Entertainment debuted this year, EXO-M, came on stage to perform, they performed “MAMA”, “Into Your World”, and “History”, they who just debuted in April this year, although they are a new group, through outstanding dancing and singing, they made the fans below unable to resist going crazy for them and screaming. They who came to Taiwan for the second time also felt Taiwanese fan’s enthusiasm and therefore performed with even more strength, dancing until their whole bodies were covered in sweat but didn’t feel tired.
CHEN
Birthday: 1992/09/21 (19 years old)
Specialities: singing, piano
Experience: 2011 S.M. Casting System
Ryeowook-senior looks after people the most
Korean member CHEN, during this year June’s SM TOWN Family Concert in Taiwan sang Chinese song, “Ai Bu Dan Xing (Love Doesn’t Travel Alone)” with Super Junior-M’s Ryeowook-senior and Eunhyuk-senior, at that time CHEN’s appearance left an impression on a lot of Taiwanese fans. When CHEN talked about his favourite senior, he specifically named Ryeowook, he said, “Ryeowook-senior is always looking out for his hubaes a lot, so I’m very thankful towards him!” at the same time, at the same time CHEN also really hopes that one day he too will become a cheerful senior who looks out for his hubaes like Ryeowook. Moreover, CHEN also expressed that he really likes Wang Lee Hom’s song “Wei Yi (Only One)”, then everyone please look forward to when he performs this Chinese song in the future!
From morning to night his manners do not diminish
Although the resting time between schedules on EXO-M’s trip this time is very short, but they were able to face every interview with a condition that was full of energy, letting people feel the liveliness of young idols! The hardest thing is that, when they go through each of these interviews, the moment they see the group of media that specially came for the interview, after doing their neat catchphrase when the interview is over they will also bow 90 degrees, a demonstration of very good manners, letting people have a wonderful and deep impression! Towards Taiwan’s fans, they are also quite considerate, in the breaks in the interview EXO-M would always wave and greet the fans who were waiting in the hotel, even letting out comedic actions, letting the fans who were watching outside not feel lonely at all!
KRIS
Birthday: 1990/11/6 (21 years old)
Specialties: Languages (Chinese, Cantonese, English, Korean), rap, basketball
Experience: 2007 SM Global Audition Canada
Handsome appearance, familiar personality
The handsome Kris is EXO-M’s leader, aside from the steady personality that a group leader must have, he is also a man who will care for the people around him, in Taiwan when they took media interviews, once he found out that the scene needed tables or chairs, he gave an order to the members telling them to get up and help, these kinds of considerate actions are really too charismatic! Kris isn’t just a man with a handsome appearance, his personality also has a lot of masculinity! So far in their debut, these short months’ time, Kris feels that the greatest change that EXO-M has gone through is that with the company’s special packaging, they have become more dazzling, speaking of the greatest difference after becoming a celebrity, he said: “Right now we have fans following us, so we have to be careful of our every move, we hope that we can show the best image at any time when we appear in front of the fans.”
It’s surprising to see the fans when catching planes
Since EXO-M came from the big family of SM, they are having concerts with seniors when they just debuted for not very long, what kind of feelings do you have towards this kind of experience? Kris said: “We’re very happy that this time we came to Tainan with Super Junior-M to perform, they have always been our role models, we also personally saw the high popularity that our seniors have in Taiwan! Originally we were worried when we got to Taiwan’s airport, were all the fans who had come to the airport there for Super Junior-M, that none of the fans were ours? Fortunately, there were a good number of fans who were supporting us, this made us very happy!” Kris also revealed that they are currently preparing a new album, they hope that they can quickly put out a new work and perform new songs for everyone to see.
LAY
Birthday: 1991/10/7 (20 years old)
Specialties: Dance, piano, guitar
Experience: 2008 SM Casting System
The expert in creating and cooking
Although EXO-M’s member Lay debuted in an idol group, his expectations for himself are not only to sing the songs well and dance the choreography well, towards the music composition aspect he has a lot of interest, he even expects that in the future he can become like Super Junior-M’s Henry, become an entertainer with musical artistic talent. Normally Lay will take advantage of free time to practice composing, other than creating music, Lay also likes to cook, he is the representative of Mr. Nice Guy in EXO-M. Because he is a big expert in cooking, even Lu Han could not resist praising the great flavor of the cucumber scrambled eggs that Lay makes! Aiyo~it looks like Lay captured Lu Han’s appetite and also captured his heart! (Cha~)
Wherever they go the fans chase their cars
This time’s short trip in Taiwan, right after EXO-M finished their Tainan performance, the next day right in the early morning they were driving from Tainan to the north, starting a day and a half of very intense promotions. The thing that was hardest to forget for Lay and the other members was, everywhere they went there was a large group of fans following them in cars, even at the front of the next stop’s hotel and lobby, they had already arrived earlier, quietly waiting for them to arrive. Aside from that, the considerate Taiwanese fans hope for their idols to sample more of Taiwan’s flavors, so they prepared many snacks, towards the fans supporting and cheering them on so considerately, EXO-M expressed great happiness in their hearts and also thanked the fans a lot for doing all of it!
LU HAN
Birthday: 1990/04/20 (22 years old)
Specialities: singing, dancing, football, Rubik’s cube
Experience: 2010 S.M. Casting System
A lively personality, loves playing football
LU HAN, the one with the most delicate outward appearance in EXO-M, the most signature characteristic is those rounded big eyes! Even though his outward appearance is very graceful, but really he’s definitely not a delicate boy, the him who claims that his appearance and his personality are very different, normally likes exercising the most, especially once he’s available he’ll try to find the manager and member XIU MIN to play football together! Within the group, LU HAN counts as a member with quite a lively personality, even if announcements of his schedule are very intense, he actually looks very energetic, his mood always seems excited, or maybe it’s because he has expressive eyes naturally, that he looks like he has a lot of energy all the time!
Particularly admires Eunhyuk-senior
Saying that LU HAN’s a handsome type of idol, is definitely well deserved, when asking him if he would especially take good care of his skin normally, he confessed that he would go to dermatologists for facials, so handsome men aren’t just born that way, but it’s also acquired through taking good care, maintaining it is also quite important okay! (Girls who wish to appear beautiful, quickly write this point down in your notebooks, you can’t be lazier than boys~) LU HAN not only has a lively personality, he also really loves making nicknames for others, like when he helped XIU MIN, who has a very good relationship with him, make a “Steamed Buns” nickname (The editor is covering his face and giggling), taking a good look at XIU MIN, he actually does pretty much look like one! When bringing up the senior he admires the most, LU HAN who’s good at dancing expressed… “I admire Eunhyuk-senior the most, because he’s really good at dancing, I have to learn well from him!”
TAO
Birthday: 1993/5/2 (19 years old)
Specialties: Wushu
Experience: 2010 SM Casting System
Donghae suddenly hugged me
In SMTOWN there have been a lot of big stars, EXO-M who has just debuted, which sunbae do you have the biggest impression of? Tao revealed an unknown little secret! Tao said: “I respect Super Junior’s Donghae sunbae the most because Donghae sunbae particularly cheers me on, letting me be charged full of strength! One time at one of our performances, Donghae sunbae suddenly hugged me from behind, at the time I was really surprised, but when I turned and saw it was Donghae sunbae, I immediately felt relieved.” This piece is still very interesting, but the fans who know the Super Junior members’ personalities well probably know that they originally really liked to hug a lot, using their limbs to show friendship.
There are differences between males and females calling an older brother
Since Tao is a Chinese member, when he first went to Korea, he previously caused many funny jokes because he was entering a foreign country, he said: “When I first got to Korea to be a trainee, I ran into Xiumin-gege in the practice room, because at the time my Korean was not good, only remembering that when I watched Korean dramas I often heard the actors in the dramas say gege as oppa, so I called Xiumin-gege oppa, only later on did I find out that oppa is actually only used by girls to address boys.” Tao and Xiumin’s relationship is quite good, not only do they learn Chinese and Korean from each other in private, they will even practice taekwondo, wushu, and nunchucks together, Lu Han exposed: “There are often sounds of being beaten badly coming from their room, we don’t know what they’re doing?” Tao explained: “We’re stretching to warm up, Xiumin will only yell when it hurts too much.”
XIU MIN
Birthday: 1990/3/26 (22 years old)
Specialties: Singing, taekwondo, fencing, dance
Experience: 2008 SM Everysing Contest
Claiming the childish nickname ‘Baozi’
Xiumin who was given the cute nickname ‘Baozi’ by his member Lu Han, his appearance is quite immature, even he himself says without timidity that he is EXO-M’s ‘Childish man’. Coming to Taiwan to perform, this promotion trip, he generously admitted that his greatest interest was towards Taiwan’s great food, and the thing he wanted to eat most was xiaolongbao! Ah~the image of Baozi eating xiaolongbao is really very interesting, it seems like Xiumin is very satisfied with the nickname Lu Han helped to give him! In SMTOWN, Xiumin respects Super Junior’s leader Leeteuk the most, he said: “Leeteuk sunbae, whether he’s on stage or not, is very hard-working, a very deserving person for me to learn from.
The pronunciation of the fourth tone in Chinese is the hardest
Xiumin and Chen are EXO-M’s Korean members, since the number of Chinese members in the group is greater than the number of Korean members, Xiaobian is quite curious as to what language they use to communicate in private? Apparently, they need to learn both Chinese and Korean, so when communicating they use both half and half. But speaking of the hard points of learning Chinese, Xiumin expressed his personal feelings, saying: “The time that I’ve been learning Chinese is not long, pronouncing the fourth tone of Chinese is the hardest, but over the 5 months that we have debuted, living with the members every day, working, we also slowly learn a lot of Chinese words.”
source; Mr107
trans cr; hyewon + xuan @exom-trans
please take out with full credits.
EXO-M
EXO-M have merely debuted for a bit over 5 months, they’re Korean Superstar group SJ-M’s younger group, consisting of 4 Chinese members KRIS (Wu Fan), TAO (Huang Zi Tao), LAY (Zhang Yi Xing), LUHAN, (Lu Han) and 2 Korean members XIUMIN, CHEN. In April this year they released Chinese mini-album “MAMA”. The other day, EXO-M held a concert in Tainan, attracting almost a hundred crazy fans to hire a car and follow them, their popularity should not be underestimated.
PROFILE
TAO Born on 02/05/1993, went through: 2010 S.M. Casting System.
CHEN Born on 21/09/1992, went through: 2011 S.M. Casting System.
XIUMIN Born on 26/03/1990, went through: 2008 S.M. everysing Contest.
LUHAN Born on 20/04/1990, went through: 2010 S.M. Casting System.
LAY Born on 07/10/1991, went through: 2008 S.M. Casting System.
KRIS Born on 6/11/1990, went through: 2007 S.M. Global Audition CANADA.
Q/ EXO-M have not yet publicly participated in any activities formally in Taiwan, yet have already accumulated a high popularity, do you have anything you’d like to say to Taiwanese fans?
Kris: This already the second time we’ve come to Taiwan, and this time we just happened to have the opportunity to do some official activities, seeing so many fans come to the airport and the place we were performing at to support us, the members were all really happy and furthermore excited, and we hope that later we can perform even more in Taiwan for the fans in return.
Q/ Your impression of Taiwan? Is there any food that you’d particularly like to eat or a place you’d like to go?
Kris: Even though we’ve already come to Taiwan twice, truthfully the time we have to stop temporarily from our official activities isn’t long, despite this there are so many fans who are supporting us, making all of us feel really moved, our impression of Taiwan is really good.
Lay: Because our schedule really is busy, we haven’t had the chance to go out for a stroll, but we’ve heard from SJ-M seniors that Taiwan has a lot of delicious snacks, next time we come we’ll ask our manager to especially arrange a time to taste Taiwanese foods.
Q/ Have there been any unforgettable awkward moments, whether it’s been on stage or in your private lives, since you were formed to now?
Lay: Once in the middle of a performance, because the dance was too intense, my trousers ripped! At the time, there were fans under the stage who immediately made hand gestures to hint it to me, but I completely didn’t pay attention, it was only after we danced 3 songs and I got back stage that I found that my trousers were ripped! There are still a small number of images that have been sent online, it’s so awkward!
Q/ Is there a word or catchphrase you say every day?
Lu Han: Pout~pout! Actually, pout~pout doesn’t really have any meaning, in my opinion it has a sort of exclamation mark like feeling! (At this time Chen who was sitting next to him also “pout~pout”ed)
Xiumin: …… (and then looked at Luhan laughing, so Xiumin’s catchphrase is actually a joke that can only be said between friends!)
Tao: If I meet a difficult situation, I would encourage myself by saying “nothing’s impossible!”
Q/ Will you listen to other groups’ songs normally? The group you admire the most is?
Chen: Of course we listen! The groups we admire the most are the seniors within our company, there isn’t anyone we specifically like, rather we treat them as targets, working hard to follow their direction of success and advance forward.
source; LemonNUNA
trans cr; xuan@exom-trans
please take out with full credits.
EXO-M Exposing Their Own Private Matters
Korean star factory SM Entertainment has always liked to train Chinese talents into becoming their company’s stars, and then gather a few more Koreans to form a group M (Mandarin) that tackles the Chinese market, vowing to grab the hearts of millions of teenage girls. Following the debut of Super Junior-M (also known as SJ-M) in 2008, SM Entertainment has created yet another group, EXO-M, to continue their excellent results. In the short time since EXO’s debut, they have received widespread attention from the outside world, having a large horde of fans and media with flashing cameras following them anywhere they go. Previously, they went with their seniors SJ-M to Tainan for a concert, and were lucky enough to have a Hong Kong exclusive interview with EXO-M! Everyone, just wait for them to expose their secrets!
SJ is a good example
EXO-M has 4 Chinese members Lu Han, Zhang Yixing, Chinese-Canadian Kris Wu Yifan, Huang Zitao, and 2 Korean members Kim Jongdae and Kim Minseok, 6 cute little boys forming this group. In EXO-M each member has their own role, and are definitely not able to be replaced at all times. Everyone, wait for them to talk about how they felt and and interesting happenings in Taiwan.
1. Although you’ve already been to Taiwan after debuting, this time you got to perform with your seniors SJ-M at the Tainan Music Festival, how do you feel?
Kris: We feel very honored and happy to have been able to come to Tainan with so many seniors in SJ-M this time. Until now, wherever we went we completely felt that their popularity in Taiwan was very high. Originally at the airport we were actually very worried if the fans at the concert would only be there to support SJ-M, but then when everyone arrived we saw that they all gave us a lot of support, we were really very happy.
2. Among the SM family there are a lot of seniors, which senior does EXO-M admire the most?
Tao: I respect SJ’s Donghae sunbae the most because Donghae sunbae frequently cheers me on, and one time at a performance Donghae sunbae hugged me from the back, although at the time it scared me greatly, when I saw it was Donghae sunbae I calmed down, also I feel like he is really sweet.
Chen: Earlier at SMTOWN I collaborated with SJ’s Ryeowook sunbae for <Love Does Not Come Alone>, Ryeowook sunbae is really good at taking care of his hoobaes. I hope that in the future I can become sunbae like him.
Xiumin: I see SJ’s Leeteuk sunbae as someone to learn from because when I see him working so hard, I will also feel like working hard.
EXO-M’s interesting language situations
A group made up of members from different countries will always be a good thing, because other than being able to learn multiple languages, they can greater understand each other’s cultural backgrounds, but at first there will definitely be times when they burst out laughing from a miscommunication, everyone awaits EXO-M telling everyone about their interesting happenings!
3. Knowing that EXO-M has members from different places, will everyone usually choose one language to communicate in? In terms of Chinese, which member’s Chinese is the worst?
Xiumin: I have not been learning Chinese for very long, the fourth tone in pronunciation of Chinese is the hardest, but over the five months after we debuted, constantly being with the members, I have slowly learned a lot of Chinese phrases. If I keep practicing, I believe my Chinese will definitely get better.
4. Because the members are all from different places, there have to be some cultural differences. When you began to work together, were there any misunderstandings in jokes or things that are hard to forget?
Tao: When I first got to Korea, I saw Xiumin ge in the practice room, because at the time my Korean was not good, I remembered that on the TV dramas they would always say ‘oppa’ for gege, so I called Xiumin ge ‘oppa’, only later on did I find out that oppa is the term girls use to greet boys.
5. 6 hot-blooded young men together in one place, there will definitely be times when you go overboard while playing. What does everyone like to do most in your free time? Which member is the most 4D?
Lu Han: When we have free time I will go play soccer with Xiumin and the manager.
Lay: I will go compose because I really like composing.
Tao: I frequently practice in the dorm with Xiumin who has done taekwondo before, playing with nunchucks.
Lu Han exposes information: Yeah yeah! I frequently hear Xiumin being hit to the point where he is yelling.
6. When will you release a new work? When will you come to Hong Kong to meet with the fans?
Kris: We are already preparing our new album, we hope that we can quickly perform it for everyone to see. We also know that there are many Hong Kong fans that like us a lot, we hope that we can quickly come to Hong Kong to meet with everyone, and we thank everyone for their support.
Captions: (left to right, top to bottom)
1: Kris performs intensely, really killing the fangirls below!
2: EXO-M greets everyone with smiles full of youth.
3: Dancing until they’re dripping sweat, Kris and Lay seem even more manly!
4: Did the fans do something to have EXO-M laughing this happily?
5: This image of Lu Han dancing seriously can really kill people!
source cr; exo12km
translation cr; hyewon@exom-trans and whisperedsymphony (major thanks for translating and spotting!)
please take out with full credits
Caption [big]: Compelling Handsomeness – EXO-M’s second time performing in Taiwan, first time accepting interview.
Caption [top left]: Korean member Xiumin (3rd from the left) thinks that everyone’s Korean is very fluent, no matter if it’s work or in life they don’t have communication issues.
Caption [bottom left]: EXO-M’s debut – EXO-M just debuted for not even half a year yet has already accumulated many fans.
EXO-M: Using SJ as imaginary enemies
Looking at Asia’s album market, the recent years have already all been kpop’s domain, various male groups and girl groups or composite groups, and the melodies and brainwashing repetitive lyrics that are easy to hum, paired with dazzling outfits and strong dance abilities, letting Korean groups be essentially invincible in Asia. A few days ago we interviewed SM’s new group EXO-M, 6 members made up of 4 Chinese members and 2 Korean members, towards their second time performing in Taiwan, leader Kris loudly said said: “We feel the powerful influence SJ has in Taiwan and hope that in the future EXO can also accomplish it.” The seniors’ sense of rivalry is matching in strength, EXO-M who is strictly self-disciplined has group practices every day, member Lay revealed: “Every day after 2 hours of group practice we also have to do individual practice.”
Two years ago, Korean music began to show its power, from Southeast Asia in the very beginning to Taiwan and China, followed quickly by a direct attack on Japan and European and American countries, letting the entire world understand that Korea could not only design household appliances and cell phones, but is an entire consolidated audiovisual country with Internet, games, and entertainment. In terms of Korea’s entertainment industry, unremittingly pushing out various male and female groups, everyone can sing and dance, letting just a concert-type show have 10+ groups, on the stage and environment each group is more exquisite than the one before.
The opening stage absorbed the new Chinese talent
But aside from the domestic talents, Korea’s managing companies had already begun to go to mainland China to cast people ten years ago, the main power group SJ previously also had a Chinese member Han Geng, and in SJ-M which emphasizes Mandarin also includes Zhou Mi from China and Taiwan’s Henry, in order to strive for Taiwan and China’s recognition, SJ-M even previously had a long stay in Taiwan for a few months, and became the Korean group that appears in Taiwan the most often in the past two years.
Aside from SJ-M, this year in March and April a 12-member boy group EXO debuted in China and Korea, from the very beginning they were already planning to become the two groups EXO-M and EXO-K, in June SMTOWN came and had a concert for the first time, EXO in place as the new aces attracted many of the audience’s gazes. A few days ago they came for the second time with their seniors SJ-M and went to Tainan to perform, also giving them more chances to feel the Taiwanese fans’ compassion and love.
According to the reporters’ observations, even though most fans came for SJ-M, there were also many large placards supporting LU as well as Kris, it was evident that although they just debuted for not too long, they have already accumulated a decent popularity and awareness. Actually, although they’re from a Korean company, EXO-M has 4 members, as well as two Korean members, forming fresh blood that can promote back in Korea but strongly attack the world’s Chinese market.
In addition, many Chinese netizens have already taken notice of this group, adding to the four members that have Chinese as their mother tongue, and the Korean flavor of styling, and a magnificent dance song <MAMA>, letting this Chinese-Korean mixed group accounts for pretty good opportunities and attention.
Debuted for half a year
Making a name for themselves in the Chinese industry
Towards future releases, EXO-M’s leader Kris generously confessed, this time when they came to Taiwan they could feel the influential power SJ has here, “We have just debuted for not very long, so we do not currently have a very complete image, but following this we will work hard to find our most fitting images, we hope that in the future we will be able to have this big of an influence like SJ.” Speaking of Taiwan’s fans and the atmosphere of the stage, the six members were all very praising, Korean member Chen even jokingly said: “The fans here are really great!”
However, although they are mainly attacking the Chinese market, but if the members didn’t speak, probably no one would discover that most of the members were chosen from the Chinese mainland, logically speaking, this is a struggle to the Korean members Xiumin and Chen who are in the minority, but by the reporters’ observations, other than taking interviews, the usual work situations and interactions in personal life are still using Korean to communicate, “Because everyone’s Korean is fluent, communication is very easy.”
Of course, living together will definitely have disagreements and places where opinions are different, Kris revealed that everyone is actually very mutually understanding, normally when there are any things that need to be coordinated he will come forward.
Full schedule
Wild wishes for a break to spend time with family
As the main dancer of the group, Lay revealed that no matter how busy they are, the members still have to spend at least two hours in group practice a day, plus individual practice aiming at their own weaknesses, every day they have to spend at least half a day’s time, Tao who likes wushu the most has still practiced uninterruptedly so far, a condition where at any time he will be doing any sort of strange special training. However, even if they have a full schedule, everyone still wants to find time for a break, Lu and Lay revealed that they themselves wanted a few days’ rest, “We could take a walk with our families for a day, this would just be too great.”
Even though they have rigorous training and perfect packaging, EXO-M are quite close with people without being arrogant, no matter if it’s waiting on the set of a photoshoot or actively helping move the couch, the six big men moved together when Kris gives an order, also proving that the group is definitely more important than the individual.
When asked about the feeling of walking the red carpet, Xiumin shyly said: “No matter what we always have to protect the original attitude.” Yet Tao felt that he was more mature than before and more aware of other people’s views, Lay and Chen felt that everything is for the group, but as public figures they have to pay attention to their private lives, they can’t give everyone a bad demonstration. It looks like honing practice and the group’s sense of identity is the key to success, perhaps this is also Asian countries’ entertainment industry, this is the reason for being weak below the hit of “Hallyu”!
(Center photo & profiles)
Caption: EXO-M who has tall and handsome appearances, is a Chinese-Korean mixed group made up of 4 Chinese members and 2 Korean members.
Perspective on EXO-M
Kris (Leader) (First on left)
Real name: Wu Fan
Age: 21 (1990.11.06)
Height: 187cm
Albums: EXO-M’s first mini album «MAMA»
Experience: 2007 Global Audition Canada, trainee for 5 years
Lay (Second on the left)
Real name: Zhang Yixing
Age: 20 (1991.10.07)
Height: 178cm
Experience: 2008 SM Casting System, trainee for 4 years
Lu Han (Third on the left)
Real name: Lu Han
Age: 21 (1990.4.20)
Height: 178cm
Experience: 2010 SM Casting System, trainee for 2 years
Xiumin (Fourth on the left)
Real name: Kim Minseok
Age: 21 (1990.3.26)
Height: 173cm
Experience: 2008 SM Casting System, trainee for 4 years
Chen (Second on the right)
Real name: Kim Jongdae
Age: 19 (1992.9.21)
Height: 177cm
Experience: 2011 SM Casting System, trainee for 1 year
Tao (First on the right)
Real name: Huang Zitao
Age: 18 (1993.5.2)
Height: 183cm
Experience: 2010 SM Casting System, trainee for 2 years
T/N: Some of their ages are wrong; the magazine made a mistake.
source cr; miki
trans cr; hyewon@exom-trans
please take out with full credits
