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Cover of EXO’s 7th regular album ‘Exist’. 2023.06.12. (Photo = Provided by SM Entertainment) photo@newsis.com *Resale and DB prohibited
Correspondent Lee Jae-hoon = Hallyu group ‘EXO’ entered the comeback countdown as scheduled even amid the exclusive contract dispute between unit Chenbaeksi and SM Entertainment.
According to SM on the 12th, EXO will release their 7th regular album ‘EXIST’ on July 10th. A total of 9 songs of various genres are included.
Prior to the release of the album, EXO will pre-release the b-side song ‘Let Me In’ on music sites at 6 pm on the same day. “Let Me In” is a ballad with a dreamy sound and vocals expressing restrained emotions. A music video will also be released.
Comparing a lover to the blue sea, he sang about his earnest desire to be together endlessly even if he fell deeply. It was first revealed at a fan meeting commemorating the 11th anniversary of EXO’s debut held in April.
As for this album activity, it is difficult for the 8-member group to perform alternative military service as a social worker sooner than expected. However, as much as Kai participated in the production of her album, it is safe to call it a complete body.
It has been 4 years and 8 months since EXO’s full group activity since the regular 5th repackage ‘Love Shot’ in December 2018. Some members did not participate in the regular 6th album ‘OBSESSION’ in November 2019 and the special album ‘DON’T FIGHT THE FEELING’ in June 2021.
EXO, a 2.5th generation K-pop group, is evaluated as a team that laid the foundation for a world view that began in earnest from the 3rd generation K-pop group. Since 2013, he has recorded 5 consecutive regular albums as ‘Million Sellers’. Of course, it is the cumulative sales volume of Chinese version albums or repackaged albums (BTS is the first to break 1 million copies with a single album since 2001 in 2017), but based on fandom, the sales volume of 3rd and 4th generation K-pop groups is rapidly increasing. It is undeniable that EXO played a role as a catalyst.
In addition, “Growl” (2013), in which the members wear school uniforms and dance in perfect harmony to a sophisticated melody, is the same monumental song in the history of K-pop that raised the level of K-pop group performances to the next level. The music video for “Growl”, which was filmed in a one-take format, received favorable reviews for its sensuous visual beauty, resembling a dance movie. Their high-quality performances were also recognized for their subsequent releases such as ‘Addiction’, ‘Call Me Baby’, ‘Love Me Light’, ‘Ko Ko Bop’, ‘Tempo’ and ‘Love Shot’. At the time of their debut, they started out with 12 members, but as all the Chinese members left, the 8-member group became a complete group.
However, as Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen, who are tied to Chenbaek City, recently notified SM of their exclusive contract termination, concerns arose that the release of this new album might become unclear. However, despite the confrontation between the two sides, they agreed that the EXO brand should continue to be maintained. Despite having a conflict with SM, Chenbaeksi filmed a music video for the new song. The team’s own web reality entertainment program was also recorded.