Okay, so this is not 100 % /why/ I love EXO but also just an "I love this about EXO" because, I'll be honest, I - too - have members I don't feel strongly about in one way or another. I may not be able to say a lot about those members because I really am neutral about them.

It's also only OT9 because my feelings for the three that left will definitely not be promoting love lmao. 

(You don't have to agree with anything I say about the members. Just to get that clear. I know I tend to overanalyze a lot).

This all stems from watching a video called "Reasons to love EXO's Chen" and honestly, my heart just soared. But no, Jongdae isn't my bias in EXO and I have no idea how Minseok keeps his #1 spot on that list because there are members I would do everything to protect, such as Jongdae. 

I guess Minseok is just magic. He must be to keep his spot. 

Anyway, I'm just here to talk love about EXO and nothing else. 

And let's just start with Jongdae because why not? The video is still fresh in mind even though it's been hours since I watched it. 

Jongdae obviously has his voice and it's captivating, I love it. I love it more than I love any other EXO members voice and I know it's not for everybody, not as smooth as Kyungsoo and Baekhyun's but for me it has the perfect sound. It's strong and powerful and it's soft and playful. It can do whatever he wants to do with it. 

I don't care for his high notes but his low notes and when he's just singing in that lower register - damn. Now that's just heavenly. It suits his talking voice so much and sounds so comfortable, really. Just like ... he's having so much fun. I know that his register goes well above average in both ways and that he has extraordinary technique and Jongdae really really deserves the title as one of the best vocalists in kpop because he is amazing with his voice. 

But Jongdae is so much more than his voice and I love him for everything really. 

His whining is cute although I'm positive I would be annoyed with at one point too. Then again, sometimes, I'm just in a bad mood and you know, even if Jongdae annoys some people with his whining at times, I have no doubt he also knows how to accomodate and respect other people's spaces. The things the members say about him and about his kindness sort of proves it to me.

He's a jokester and he likes having fun but he knows when a situation calls for seriousness and I love that. It's so mature. And maybe he likes spontaneity which is a thing I'm all for, haha. I think it's amazing when you can be true to yourself and still realize when people need to take a step back. 

Considering that he has penned the lyrics to actually a few EXO songs lets me believe he likes writing lyrics and playing around with music. It might be his way to relax and close the world out. I can imagine him sitting at night, writing lyrics down and being alone, being him. He might be sociable but even sociable people will have time when they're by themselves and I think Jongdae utilizes this to relax 100 %. The fact that he's comfortable around other people just makes him more admirable, tbh. In my opinion.

I love this man so much for everything he portrays. For the professionalism he shows when it's needed, for the fun he knows how to have, for the kindness he shows and is credited for by other people. Jongdae seems to be a man that really knows himself and I don't know. If Jongdae (as his personality, not necessarily his appearance) isn't your ideal man, what are you even doing? Don't everybody want a man who knows when to be serious and when to be funny? A man who knows how to read a situation and act accordingly and a man that doesn't seem very possessive in a bad way? 

(Ok, I admit it, Jongdae is amazingly beautiful as well.)

Hell, he's my ideal man. Right there. Sorry Jinki. 

Let's just step right in and talk about Minseok. Like I could still talk about Jongdae but we have to move on and I have a lot of love to share so might as well just move on with it. 

Minseok, my man. Minseok my bias for unknown reasons. 

Honestly, I don't know what it is about Minseok. Minseok is a man that has opened up a lot in the past years as he has gotten more comfortable with the lifestyle of a celebrity, I think. It must've been tough on him in the beginning, not knowing how to adapt and I think it took some time. 

Obviously there's also the whole debacle on his appearance when he debuted and that horrific weight loss he went through that looked ... ghastly. He looked so sick, it makes my heart hurt. Genuinely. Oh right, that's something I really need to say; I love him for promoting health. I know some of the other members have said sad things about diets in their past, admitted to starving and the whole chewing-and-spitting-out and it freaks me out. Minseok, too, has admitted to an unhealthy diet back then but these days, even though I'm not all aboard the intermittent fasting, it makes a lot more sense to change lifestyle like he did and exercise. Minseok looks good these days and he looked good back then (except with his extreme weightloss) but most of all, I think his appearance and the fact that he's so handsome these days comes from the shine in his eyes and the "power" in his body. 

He has the energy nowadays. He doesn't lack anything and he looks so happy. It's truly amazing how much difference a healthy body can do and I know I don't know him personally but a man that promotes healthy eating to his fans while admitting past mistakes and telling them not to do the same as he; that's a man that has found a balance in my opinion. 

There's also the cute thing. And I completely admit, he's super cute. He also looks comfortable with his cute. Like his aegyo is cringy as because it's forced but when he's not being forced to uphold some "cuteness standard" or something, we get the true cute and another one of the things I truly just love about him. So sure, people talk about him not being his age, but you know, he's also obviously his age. 

Haha, what a contradictory thing, but Minseok is so cute but he's also so mature. 

He's one of those men, like Jongdae, who knows how to read a situation but instead of having fun whenever the opportunity presents itself in an obvious way like Jongdae (and Baekhyun), he steps back and observes mostly. That doesn't hold him back from having fun, though, and it's just ... such a contradictory thing to say but I just see it all the time whenever I watch videos of him and EXO. There's a time for fun and a time for stepping back. 

Minseok is such a book-type. I don't know if he is in real life, of course, but he strikes me as one. Books and phone games, haha. I can really imagine him on the couch with either a book or his phone while he plays Candy Crush or something equally ridiculous. 

Knowing that he's a homebody also just .. strengthens that feeling. A homebody that takes a while to warm up, who knows when to have to fun and when to let others have fun. A man that struggled and found balance and a man who will continue to take up challenge after challenge. I admire him so much and I respect him so much it makes my heart hurt at times. It's not in any way romantic, it's just ... a whole lot of admiration.

Let's just continue with Baekhyun and get CBX over with, hahaha.

Baekhyun is often a man I don't know how I feel about. He's sociable and I admire that so much. He seems to be in best company when he's with others. I can actually imagine he's a man that doesn't truly know what to do when alone. Like, I think he would be stick in a limbo where looking for someone to hang out with is better than being alone. Of course I believe people need time alone too so they don't go insane but Baekhyun just strikes me as a person that truly really reloads with company. He seems so at ease when he's with people. I also have a slight idea that he gets bored really easily. I have no idea if anyone has said anything in an interview to counter (or confirm) this but it's just a feeling I have. ; _ ;

Which - don't get me wrong - is something I actually admire in people. Extroverts who reload with company is like goals, haha. Especially for this introvert who is very comfortable in her own company. I wish I could be comfortable like extroverts in company. So Baekhyun is goals, haha.

It'd be stupid not to praise his vocal abilities as well but I'm not a vocalist nor am I a vocal teacher so I don't really know many things in terms of technique. Baekhyun undoubtedly has great technique as well but his voice really suits ballads more than upbeat songs in my opinion. Like - Baekhyun singing a ballad is goals. And his voice is very versatile when he duets with others, especially female singers, so that's a really admirable quality of his voice as well. 

There's the whole cute thing with Baekhyun too which also sometimes feels really forced. Like it does with Minseok. But contrary to Minseok I actually think Baekhyun enjoys overexaggerating. I think it's his way of fun and his humor and I'm not completely averse to it. I mean, it is funny. But Baekhyun is so much cuter when he is cute without knowing it. Also, I really think he's cute when he's gaming because he gets all serious and since I have a brother who almost left the country to become a professional gamer on international teams I really see the passion in Baekhyun and the humanity when he plays.  

Like I know Baekhyun has a very well paying job being a singer and there's no doubt his passion truly lies in singing but when he's gaming he becomes so approachable and honestly, I would love to a little while playing. In a cute way. In a good way. He just seems like the younger brother he is, haha. 

Honestly, I think Baekhyun seems to be one of the most approachable members but then, there are also times where I get this ... withdrawn attitude, perhaps. I don't know if that's the best word but I can definitely understand it. Even though he seems to reload in company there must be times where you're just stuck with the wrong people that your energy instead of reloading, lol. And he seems less approachable in those moments. It's not a bad thing, it's a human thing. 

I want to talk about Jongin now, haha. I honestly really want to talk about Jongin so lets do that. 

To me, Jongin is Baekhyun's opposite. He seems to be a strong introvert, comfortable with only a few people of his choosing and perhaps he has a bit of a difficulty opening up to people. Like you watch them from the sidelines before choosing. I also think it helps him a lot if other trusted friends say good for new people. Obviously he's able to make friends and he's not at all unfriendly in any way. I just think he has a group of tight knit friends and he'd rather stay with them than have a lot of aquaintances. That's the feeling he gives off in interviews as well.

That's just relatable, though, so I mean - all the love to different kind of personalities. That's what's so great about humanity.

Honestly, I respect Jongin a lot. From a child that danced ballet to an idol because his father promised him a Nintendo (I think) if he auditioned - isn't that amazing? It's both hard work and talent and I think, it's a pinch of naivity. A naivity he should hold onto because I don't believe it's a bad thing to be naive. It's admirable to believe in the best of people and to trust that. And that's exactly what I think Jongin does. It may also be why he takes a little longer to open up, because when you live in this world you learn that not everybody can be trusted but there are just core things you can't change. I love that about Jongin. 

Also, he gives me the vibe of a younger brother. I know he's almost the maknae in EXO but I really think he almost impersonates the younger brother. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a little spoiled at home. It's not a bad thing, it just means he got a lot of love and he totally deserves it. He just ... has that feeling to him. 

His dancing is one of my favorite dances in the kpop world because they incorporate his ballet background. It's not only hard-hitting and hip s. It's complete control of his body and it's the will to do whatever he wants with it. He doesn't need sleek abs or biceps to lift 50 kg (or whatever, idk) for me. It's needless to say that dancing will create a lot of muscles and they're usually really beautiful. The whole going to the gym is unnecessary for me. Jongin looks so beautiful when he dances and he just lets the music through his body. It doesn't happen often because I think Jongin is a person who likes control but when it happens, it's beautiful.

And I really think management should let Jongin have more performances like Deep Breath. Performances that aren't meant to be y or meant to be hard-hitting with strong hip s. Performances that are just art in their simplicity, their beauty. I cannot express how pleased I was to see a piruette incorporated in Power but then again - less piruettes, more art, thanks. Completely my preference and Jongin can do whatever he likes to do because that's when it's best anyway - when passion burns through.

Jongin also strikes me as a homebody and I relate so hard. I think he's more childish, though. In a good way, in a positive way. There's just something about Jongin that makes me want to protect him. It's no wonder he attracts a lot of fans because not only is he beautiful and talented, he also drags you in, in this mysterious way. In a way that allows you to feel like you're watching vulnerability. It's super adorable. 

I want to talk about Chanyeol because I just listened to Cosmic Railway and let's be real; the only reason I listen to that song is Chanyeol's lines in the second verse. He is heavenly. He sounds like ... I don't know, dripping .

Okay, but back up again. Let's talk about Chanyeol on drums. Oh. My. God. Chanyeol on drums is amazing. That man is talented musically and there's no doubt about that. And while I respect his talents on guitar and piano, I'm just ... I admit it, I'm a er for drummers. (Genuinely though, I have /always/ loved the drummers more than any other member of band-bands). I don't even know what to say about it because it's just that - I love it. I love Chanyeol playing drums. He looks good, he's talented, it sounds amazing and he's got that rock-vibe and whoo does it suit him. (Chanyeol as a drummer is my wet dream and I'm ace. Bye). 

So now that we have drummer Chanyeol out of the way (I'll fight anyone that says he isn't good-looking when he plays the drums), let's talk about Chanyeol just in general. Because there's just so much to Chanyeol and I never really know where to start. When I see him I sort of immediately always fall in love all over again. In a cute way, really, because Chanyeol is just that sweet. He's that bubbly and cheerful person you can't really stop yourself from liking. Even if he annoys you at times which I feel like he undoubtedly will at one point in time, you can't really tell yourself that you hate him. It's more of a "damn, Chanyeol, stop" but still, you're fond of him. I don't know, really. It feels like that. 

Chanyeol is probably a little similar to Baekhyun when it comes to people and company and I think that's why they work so well together - because they both gets bored really easily when alone. But I do think Chanyeol handles alone-time a lot better. I think he puts it into learning something new. He strikes me a someone really curious about the world and while his passions (music) takes precendence over other things, I don't think he'd be too averse to learning something new. I think he's a person that enjoys traveling and I could see him go to faraway places and interact with locals without being embarrassed about his language skills. He's so courageous too. I really admire that because I am not that at all and I love curiousness in people. Chanyeol has that curiosity about him. You just have to look at him. And then there's his positivity which is really admirable. The ability to see the good things, even in bad events, is honestly just so amazing. I wish I had that ability. Chanyeol is amazing and I love him so much. 

But no lie, I also get annoyed with him at times. It's Chanyeol in a nutshell - the fond love that you can't explain. 

Now, I don't know too much about the remaining members (other than what I see when I see EXO in their entirety) and I don't feel strongly about any of them so forgive me if I write less about these members. 

Sehun is a complexity to me. While I feel like I know the members mentioned above Sehun just stands as ... a shadow? He seems like a private person, even though I know he shares things. But really, though. If Sehun didn't have Vivi he probably had a diary. Maybe he still has a diary, I don't know. Not that I think he's childish or anything of that sort but because I think he needs to have an outlet for his thoughts and he isn't one to share them with everyone. They seem very personal to him, his thoughts. Like it's his innermost precious thing and it might as well be. I don't fault him for that, we're all different. It's just how it feels like to me. 

I'm glad he has Vivi, though. It's good to have someone to talk to, even if it's your pet. And I think he has said that she helped him through a tough time. Besides, his love for her shows how passionate he is inside. Sehun isn't cold or stoic like I know he's sometimes made out to be. This statue-like god. There's a vulnerability to Sehun that's very different from Jongin's. It seems more ... fragile. I don't know how to explain it without making it seem like a bad thing but I really think it's a good thing. I also think he has it incredibly under control given the profession he's in and I admire that in him. 

Honestly, I'm seeing a lot more of Sehun these days than I used to and while I still don't see a lot of him, I just think there's something there, something so very human in the man behind the beautiful appearance. Sehun is also a jokester at times but when seen with s he seems genuinely caring and loving. There's a fondness in his eyes, something that doesn't really suit his being the youngest. It just really doesn't. Sehun is a deep soul, a loving soul who still maintains some of his childhood purity and a man that likes having fun but also has a lot of thoughts. 

I don't know but I'm starting to understand why people bias him. And I admire you, I'm sure you could tell me a lot more about Sehun! 

Kyungsoo has that deep smooth R'n'B voice. Don't deny it, he does. He's an excellent vocalist and he fits really well into EXO's dynamics. I'm glad he gets to sing as much as he does because he's also incredibly good at laying down the base of a song. It's like ... It's not bad, not at all! It's needed in a boy band, they can't all belt high notes. It wouldn't make a very good song if they did. Kyungsoo has the diversity in his voice but he also seems to have found a place that's comfortable for him. More smooth R'n'B solos, though, they would really suit him and they would really showcase his vocal ability, I think. Wow, I'm getting the chills thinking about it, haha. 

Kyungsoo also seems like a private person. He doesn't seem to have adapted to the cameras like Minseok has but it's not needed. Kyungsoo laughing is one of the most precious things ever and I think he's just very serious about his job. Which is a good thing, it's a professional. He's not letting this opportunity go and I think he really loves being in EXO as well. No doubt he also enjoys acting but acting probably requires a different professionalism and Kyungsoo has to battle them both. It's admirable really. His acting is super good too but I'm not really watching dramas or movies so it'd be super wrong for me to talk about that, haha. The things of his I have seen, he did well in. 

I think, for me, Kyungsoo is also a bit of shadow. I think he doesn't mind that either. Giving the spotlight to the louder members, he's fine with it. Probably also an introvert and a private person that like a few other members have a circle of tight knit friends. I think Kyungsoo is really approachable, though. Maybe I'm speaking as a person with astigmatism also but I can't imagine having to squint to see. The headaches that would've caused is horrendous and I feel so bad for him. (Sure, I'm short-sighted as well, I don't know if Kyungsoo has any other problems but his astigmatism. Still, though - the headaches). 

I can't really understand the idea that he's scary or Satan or things like that. Maybe it's because we've gotten to know him more and can disregard his squinting and his silent punches as Kyungsoo being Kyungsoo but ... I don't know. Kyungsoo seems like he knows what he wants and he seems to be quickly annoyed by unprofessionalism in a professional setting. In private, though, I can only imagine he's a lot more tolerant. Everybody would be mad when getting confetti or water thrown in their face. 

I can't really understand Yixing. I think there are a lot of people who can't because he seems very flighty and flighty people can be a bit hard to understand in my experience. There's nothing wrong with being flighty and dreamy. I think it's amazing when you have that world view and can sort of ... dream away. It must be an amazing quality to possess, especially in a profession like the celebrity business. It must be such a convenient way to relax, haha. Lucky Yixing. 

Not to mention his hard work. Anybody that discredits Yixing by saying he isn't hard-working is blind or has never seen Yixing. His work ethics - I respect them so much. It doesn't seem like he has ever really procrastinated towards his dreams. It's been hard work all the way and that's just amazing. It demands so much respect to know what he has been working with and what he has accomplished. There aren't many EXO-members I respect more than I respect Yixing for everything he has done and everything he has survived throughout his career. Talent only goes so far in a foreign country and I'm so happy he both has the opportunity with his studio and his solo career and still is welcome in EXO (because he is, he'll always be welcome). 

So now we're only left with Suho and I have a bit of an ambivalent relationship to him which is probably why I've put him last. But I promised myself this was supposed to spread only love so I'll put aside the ambivalence and just talk about what I like about Suho. If there is one member to whom loyalty means the world, it's probably Suho. He has been working towards his dream for so long that loyalty was crucial. Loyalty to himself, that is. Which is probably also why he demands it from others. Without loyalty there is nothing and I think that's admirable and should be respected. A man that is as loyal both towards himself and others is admirable. It's what keeps things together when they may get a little glitchy. It's that understanding and willingness to smooth out conflicts that comes with loyalty and I can't say enough how much I respect that. 

Suho is also a member that ... wants love. So he shall receive love and I know he does, but I really think he craves acceptance too. It may come from the long time he has been a trainee because it must've created a lot of self-doubt at times too. (I mean, how can it not?) I still hope that he knows that he is loved the way he is. I actually want to get to know him better because he definitely deserves it. 

Tell me something about Suho in the comments I should know. I know so little and I want to change that. ; ;

Anyway, this is my ramble. Goodbye. uwu

(You can always send me a wall message or a PM if you want to talk about EXO, I'll always be open to talk about them as long as it's positive).