OMG must read guys 0_0''
It is undeniable that EXO is one of
the most successful male K-Pop
groups in recent years, with
countless awards and stellar album
sales. However, the recent
allegations made by Kris against SM
Entertainment and his impending
lawsuit, could spell long term
trouble for the group.
SM Entertainment and the members
of EXO have remained vague in their
descriptions of the impending
lawsuit, which was launched amidst
heavy promotional activity for the
album "Overdose".
A lack of on-going communication
from SM Entertainment
representatives regarding the
lawsuit has left many fans
disillusioned and distrustful.
This communication barrier has also
allowed Korean and Chinese tabloids
to dominate media output, with
dubious sources and headlines that
read like the American publication
“The National Inquirer”.
In addition, former EXO-M leader Kris
has yet to release an official
statement to the media regarding
the lawsuit. Rumors ranging from
hospitalization to the fact that Kris
is in hiding have plagued the artist.
As someone who has followed K-Pop
news for quite some time, I am
reminded of the chaos which
surrounded Big Bang in 2011
following a motor vehicle accident
involving Daesang and a
scandal involving G-Dragon.
While the situation with EXO and
Kris may share more similarities with
Han Geng or JYJ, the way in which
tabloid media has dispensed
unfounded rumors is very similar.
During 2011, it was a struggle to
remain a fan of Big Bang amidst the
on-going slanderous headlines that
plagued readers on a daily basis.
However, in 2012 the group emerged
from this dark period to release the
album “Alive”. With the success of
“Alive”, Big Bang was able to shed
the negativity which had began to
surround the group as whole and its
fandom.
Amidst all of this, EXO remains
without an official fandom. While the
group continues to maintain an
united front as eleven members,
there have not been outward
displays of support from one main
fan group.
Whereas VIPs (fans of Big Bang)
rallied behind the group during
their dark period in 2011, the
current situation of EXO has
appeared to create a divide within
its numerous fan groups.
Bad publicity against SM
Entertainment and EXO has the
potential to ward off new fans who
may have been open to checking out
the group and “Overdose”. Most
telling, was the outcry by some fans
who urged Kris to explore a career
with YG Entertainment, the chief
competitor of SM.
As someone who immensely enjoys
the music of EXO, it is my great
hope that media attention will focus
back on their music and the group.
In the meantime, EXO continues
their promotional activities as eleven
members. The group refrained from
participating from weekly music
chart programs last week, citing the
need to prepare for upcoming live
performances. This period also
allowed EXO to regroup in
preparation for what will
undoubtedly continue to be an
onslaught of questions regarding the
future of the group.
On June 1, EXO-K received first place
on “Inkigayo”, a win which will
hopefully set the course for this
week. EXO will be promoting during
a contentious time in June, which
will pit them against Big Bang
member Taeyang, VIXX, INFINITE,
ZE:A, B.A.P, and U-KISS in the fight
to round up additional music sales
and music chart attention.
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