How fantasy novel 'Momo' inspired EXO's Suho to put on 'Grey Suit'

By Dong Sun-hwa

Suho of K-pop boy group EXO poses during an online media event, Monday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

For Suho of K-pop boy group EXO, his life has been somewhat downcast and grey during the last two years.

The SM Entertainment star was discharged from his alternative military service in February, after serving as a social service worker in Seocho District Office in southern Seoul for nearly two years.

“I felt like I was the only one confined to a grey-colored world, whereas other people were enjoying their lives in a colorful and beautiful world,” Suho said during an online press conference Monday, ahead of the release of his new album, explaining why he named his new solo album, “Grey Suit.”

However, there was another reason. As he was able to take some time out from his hectic K-pop life, the 30-year-old spent more time on himself, immersing his energies in reading. Among all the books that he read, “Momo,” the 1973 fantasy novel by Michael Ende, which is also known as “The Grey Gentlemen” or “The Men in Grey,” became a well of inspiration.

“Momo,” tells the story of grey-clad men ― supernatural time thieves that steal the time of humans to let them know the true value of it ― and Momo, a mysterious girl attempting to bring back stolen time to people.

“The men with grey suits in 'Momo' inspired me as well,” he said. “I also realized the value of time during the last two years after musing on a lot about ways to spend my time wisely. So I decided to use time as a central theme for my fresh release and tried to convey sincere messages to people.”

Leading the album is “Grey Suit,” a progressive rock song revolving around a man who sees his empty and grey-colored world changing after he reunites with his loved one.

“Its music video features two contrasting characters of myself,” he explained. “In the beginning, I am stuck in time, but gradually, I get out of it. It will be interesting for people to see how these two characters look different.”

“Grey Suit,” which came out Monday, also carries five more tunes, including, “Morning Star,” “Hurdle,” “Decanting,” “Bear Hug” and “Moment.” Suho took part in penning the lyrics for all six songs included in the album.

“I feel like I am restarting everything from the beginning,” he said.

The year 2022 is quite meaningful to Suho not only because he has just returned to civilian life, but also because it marks the 10th anniversary of EXO's debut. EXO, a K-pop behemoth that unleashed numerous hits such as “Growl” (2013), “Overdose” (2014) and “Call Me Baby” (2015), burst onto the music scene in 2012 with the track, “MAMA.”

“I cannot believe that 10 years have passed since our debut,” Suho said. “I feel like only about three years have passed. I think EXO reached this point thanks to our fans around the world. I am truly thankful.”

The singer, who dropped his first solo album, “Self-Portrait,” in 2020, concluded the press conference by talking about things he wants to accomplish in the future.

“I want to show Suho's authentic music style to people,” he said.