EXO concert: Idols, fans complete concert together

The K-pop boy band EXO performs at “EXO Planet #5 ExplOration” concert held at KSPO Dome, Seoul last Sunday./ Courtesy of SM Entertainment

By Jung Hae-myoung

Every idol has their fans. It is not an exaggeration to say the popular boy band EXO's fan club, EXO-L, were an integral part of the group's concert. During the K-pop band's July 21 concert, the colors of the audience's light sticks changed whenever the stage lighting changed, as did the waves of light that filled the hall.

Crowds in yellow clothes and accessories flocked to the KSPO dome, where “EXO Planet #5 ExplOration” concert was held. Fifteen thousand seats in the dome were packed with fans holding silver EXO light sticks.

The yellow dress code was chosen because the cover of EXO's second mini album “EXODUS” is in gold and silver. With the silver light stick, the fans used yellow to represent the gold as a surprise for their idols.

As the lights went off, a video clip appeared as an introduction to the concert. Showing each member in a racing car game, the sound of engines boosted the tension of the countdown. The game made the members' actual appearance more dramatic as a wall lifted.

Only six members ― Chan-yeol, Kai, Suho, Chen, Baek-hyun, and Se-hun ― performed, as D.O. and Xiumin are currently fulfilling their mandatory military service and LAY has gone back to China to study. Still, fans cheered every time the screen showed each member.

EXO members perform "WAIT" at EXO Planet #5 ExplOration concert held at KSPO Dome, last Sunday./ Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Although some K-pop idol groups are under fire for their singing skills, their vocals is not the only factor that is judged in K-pop show business. Choreography and performance skills are other talents they hone for years.

The vocals had a few slips here and there, yet it was understandable considering they were running around three stages ― the main, the center, and sub areas, in an effort to interact with their fans up close. Jumping down from the stage, EXO and EXO-L got close enough to take selfies with them other.

Besides the interesting stage structure, EXO members performed “FALLING FOR YOU” while riding a winged car. For “24/7” kinetic balls illuminated the stage, whirling around the performers and creating different shapes.

As some songs on the set list were from the winter mini album, the stage was transformed into a cozy living room with a couch on the stage next to a lamp.

Songs were covered widely from the most recent to those from their early days. The show started strong with “Tempo” and the heat turned up with the performance of recent hit, “Love Shot.”

“Ooh La La La” converted the atmosphere with jazzy and classy sound, and the live screen was used to show the recording in black and white.

It has become the norm in K-pop to create a context for artists' songs. The narrative of each concert is emphasized by multiple video clips slipped between songs. EXO's fifth concert's theme was “exploration.” The first film shows members sucked into a mysterious silver light, and they travel around different planets.

In between the group performances, members also performed solo, showing the characteristics of each singer. The first round begun with Baek-hyun's UN Village, the most recent mini album released on July 10. Then followed solo performances “Been Through,” “Lights Out,” “What a Life,” spread throughout the concert.

Baek-hyun sings his latests song "UN Village" as his solo performance at EXO Planet #5 ExplOration concert, last Sunday./ SM Entertainment

Running toward the end, Chan-yeol especially opened up to fans about what it means to his life to be a member of EXO. He also shared his past concerns and loneliness which he said he was able to overcome thanks to his fans' love.

“I used to think after the concert that I had given all my energy to you, but now I think everyone has their own bowl. We are giving love in that bowl to you, and filling it back up with your love,” he said.

“After the concerts, I'd feel empty at home. But I changed my mind and was excited about our concerts and how my performance could fill a void because of the love I received from fans,” he added. Whether intended or not, EXO leader Suho told fans another album will be released this year before the winter comes.

The fifth EXO tour had six dates in Seoul, from July 19 to 21, and July 26 to 28, and it will continue abroad starting with Hong Kong.