Xiumin of Exo
Before you read the following passage, please note and understand that this blog post was made four months ago. A lot can change within four months, so please acknowledge that before you continue on reading. thanks.
Kim Minseok.
Xiumin.
Jin Min Shuo.
Have you ever stopped to actually think about this one guy from Exo?
Well, if you haven't, then take a moment to read this blog post. What I'm about to write has my sincere feelings in it and my opinions, too.
Xiumin?
Oh, you know him already. The "baozi".
But did you know that he's the oldest? That he stepped down from being the leader in Exo-M in fear of the members not listening to him, handing the
job to Kris?
Sure, well maybe you already knew that.
But...
He's that one guy who isn't the most popular one in the group. That one member that you know the name of and that's apparently enough. The one who
you like the least out of all of Exo-M.
This guy got in to SME by landing 2nd place in the Everysing contest. Do you know how hard that is? You have to have talent. And this guy is the one.
Xiumin isn't known as the "good-looking" or "y" guy. He's known as the "chubby baozi" or "not-so-good-looking" one. He, too, has insecurities.
Xiumin watches out for his diet, like all idols do. He already knows all of his flaws. But he works hard on fixing them. Yet he just can't seem to be as good as the other members of Exo.
Do you even know why, though?
....He was born like that. His chubby cheeks? Born with them, too. Maybe he has slow metabolism and struggles to maintain his weight.
Apparently, some "exotics" don't like Xiumin and want him kicked out of the group. How could you even consider yourselves as "exotics" if you say things
like that?
Even when Exo first debuted, Xiumin wasn't all that popular. Nowadays, Exo has many, many fans. Yet it doesn't seem like Xiumin is gaining a fair portion
of the fame. He's part of the group, too. He worked his off to get in Exo and debut successfully, just like the other members.
Xiumin is a little isolated from Exo-M, yes. But isn't that partly because of the language barrier? Chen and him are struggling, and they're trying the best
they can. Chen was the last member to join, so maybe he isn't all that comfortable with the members. This isn't a good thing for Xiumin, especially since
he's Korean. Wouldn't you find trying to learn a new language (that is one of the hardest languages to learn next to English) without anyone that speaks
your native language near you extremely difficult?
Since he is Korean, Xiumin could find being around Exo-K members more comfortable. However, they're separated by the sea, miles apart. Thus,
Xiumin may feel more isolated and a bit lonelier.
The minute you sign the contract to become an official trainee, you will never get your life back. Even when you quit being a trainee. Do you know why?
You'll always have that little nagging feeling in the back of your mind. Wondering 24/7 if it was really a good idea to quit being a trainee. Chances are,
once you resign from being a trainee, you will most likely never have the opportunity to become one again.
This is what Xiumin decided on. This was going to be his future path. The moment he signed the agreement contract, he gave up everything else.
But I doubt that who he is today is what Xiumin had in mind.
Xiumin was supposed to be the lead dancer in Exo-M. He is an excellent dancer, really. But because of his looks/figure, apparently, he didn't become the
lead dancer. He's also a really good singer; Xiumin also had the chance of becoming the main vocal. The reason why he didn't become the main
vocal is the same reason as for the lead dancer. I will admit that I feel that the company isolates him, too; unintentionally or intentionally.
This is the guy that stands in the back that we're talking about. The one who supports his fellow members, pushing himself further away from his future
goals. The one who adds helpful comments about his members, gaining a bit more popularity.
Xiumin's always the one who stands in the back, away from the cameras while thinking that he has to make the camera focus more on his other members.
If you look deeper into this subject, you'll notice a lot of things.
The way that Xiumin hung at the back of the group while at Disneyland, carrying his members' bags and out of the pictures.
There's not a lot of pictures/fancams of him, either. And there also isn't a lot of blogs dedicated to him.
But I'm always there, sitting behind my laptop and thinking.
What did Xiumin ever do to deserve this?
Xiumin is the one who worked extra hard and put more effort into his job, just because he only trained for a short time (compared to other trainees). But
doesn't this also mean that the company thought that Xiumin was good enough to debut earlier than most trainees?
Try looking from his point of view.
Watching your members gain more popularity as you help them. Giving up your film time to your members. Staying out of the camera's view. Saying
little comments that help enforce good ideas about your fellow members.
Then try thinking about how he might feel inside.
Lonely.
Hurt.
Proud of your members, maybe.
Xiumin worked hard enough that he could easily surpass any new rookies in a blink of an eye. But what does he get in return?
Being known by the public, yes.
A small portion of fans (compared to the other members) out of the thousands; maybe even millions.
Experiencing things you wouldn't normally get to do every day.
But is this really fair?
Xiumin worked as hard as any of the other members.
He gave blood, sweat, toil, and tears into getting to where he stands today. Is this really all he gets for suffering and giving up his past life?
Think about this.
Don't just toss this aside and exit to another link.
I don't care if I sound like a teacher, but take a moment and think about this blog post.
Xiumin worked his off.
He's the one trailing behind, maybe thinking that he's lacking in his skills when he's far from that and a burden to Exo-M because of his features and
language barrier.
He could be acting every day for all we know. Well, if he is, I would give him a perfect score.
Maybe Xiumin is one of the people who paint a mask on their faces every day and force a smile on their faces. When in reality, they're hurt, lonely, and
depressed inside.
Being trapped by mental slavery?
You can't just get out by yourself. You need help from others. And by the looks of it, it doesn't seem like he's getting much.
I know I might just look like a stupid 'exotic' who just wants to gain attention from others, but I'm really not. I don't really give a it anyone reads this
or not; I just want to put this out here. If anyone does end up reading this far, from the beginning to the end... Then congratulations.
I know that I'm just a stupid little 'exotic' out of countless others, but I just want to let the world know what Xiumin might be and is suffering through
every day since he chose to become a trainee.
Those idols that you call your biases?
They're human beings. They have emotions. They can die.
Those idols have talent. That's one reason why they are who they are today. But SM goes for 20% talent and 80% looks. They believe that their classes are
so extraordinary that they can train anyone to become a pro in different languages, dancing, singing, and others.
But this one guy in Exo has a real talent; a talent from when he was born. Not a talent he had acquired through lessons.
I am being a hypocrite here, though. I will admit that.
At first, Xiumin was just that one guy in Exo who I know the name of. But now that I actually took time to think, I truly care and understand Xiumin. I may
sound like an obsessed stupid fan, but I don't give the slightest damn on whether you care or not.
I'm not the type of fan who goes for looks and just looks. I go for personality and songs.
This is the reason why Kim Minseok is my idol. Not idol as in the famous K-pop idols, but an actual idol that I look up to and admire. I admire Xiumin's
strength. His passion for music. His determination and perseverance, even though things aren't going so well for him.
- one ordinary exotic who truly cares
[ EDIT ] : I just want to note one thing from this blog post. You guys have probably already seen exo's weekly idol, am I correct? Xiumin's high notes... ing wow. He could've easily been the main vocal if he wanted to.
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