I said before that Kris's departure from EXO didn't effect me that much since he is not my bias. And yeah, as kkaebsong as it is, my feeling is still the same. 

I was mad, anxious, and disappointed at first, but, as 32 days passed, I think I am fine now. I wanted to move on. I can over this, I told myself.

Because before I am an EXO fan, I am a human. I have experienced separating with my friends, losing a family member, and even mourning over my pet several times. So you could say I am well prepared to this kind of thing - farewell. It is hurt, but I believe what doesn't break you, make you stronger.

Though I know I won't forget 15th May 2014 ever...

However, when I was scrolling down my tumblr just now, I found this.

EXO fans, is the comparison seriously necessary?

My answer: No. A big, bold NO.

Firstly, even if Kibum didn't join activities with SJ during their 3rd until 6th comeback, he was (and is) in SM. Hence, technically he is still a part of the group.

Secondly, Hangeng filed his lawsuit in December 2009. If I am not mistaken, SJ had just won Daesang in GDA, and there was no major project for them back then.

Given the two reasons (as for now), that was why Leeteuk and SJ assured ELF that SJ has 13 + 2 members. Because they got a the time to understand and accepted why they had to miss 3 members (Kangin had to go on hiatus because of DUI incident) at that time.

BUT,

Unlike SJ, EXO was in the middle of Overdose promotion and 'The Lost Planet #1' preparation when the lawsuit happened. In fact, EXO-K had just started their comeback stage and there were only 8 days left for their concert.

As much as it (the lawsuit) bugged the fans initially, questions like "What will happen to us now?", "How about the fans?", "Can we do this?" must had bugging the 11 boys more.

They were already tired from all the practices, promotion, other schedules, and solo activities (DO - drama, Baekhyun - musical, Chanyeol - ROOMMATE), how could you expect them to be open arm with the sudden news of a member leaving then?

Also, the 11 boys have never directly addressed Kris as the ex-member. All they did (and do) were (are) just telling the fans, "This is the start of EXO". Fans were anxious and haters were "worried" if the lawsuit would effect EXO, so, like SJ, EXO assured their fans as well like "No, EXO are good and we will go even stronger". Obviously, they wanted to move on because of the fans!

IN ADDITION,

for you who doubt Suho's leadership... I just wanna say "You tried".

I remembered reading SM choreographer's comment about EXO dancing skill. He (the choreographer) said Suho's skill is only good but he has the best resistance(?). It meant, no matter how hard a certain choreography is, Suho is able to endure it the longest out of the members.

So I was like, "Wow with that kind of determination, I am sure he could lead EXO well", and yehet, Suho proved me right when he stood alone on their M Countdown encore stage without breaking his smile at all. He even mentioned 'EXO fans' twice in his congratulatory speech to remind the fans, "EXO always thinks of the fans and we will continue to work hard for them"

By the way, ELF began to look at Leeteuk in different side after he introduced himself as Hangeng, Kangin, and Kibum during SJ introduction in an event in 2009/ 2010. Though Suho didn't do like Leeteuk then, one shouldn't have pointed him (Suho) as a bad leader. As I said, both of them faced a similar situation but in different time, thus explained the contras in their action. 

After all, Suho did ask for Kris to come back and apologize to the members and their company in his very first interview after the lawsuit news came out..

AND,

you doubt EXO brotherhood?

Clearly you haven't see Tao's Instavid for EXO-K first Overdose comeback stage. He was freaking asked the rest of EXO-M members to draw EXO-K's face and wished them fighting.

EXO may be don't have a deep relationship as SJ, but they started as friend and slowly building their bond day by day. The boys support each other, they help one another, they fought and tried to get the better side of each other.

We are fans.

Fans love, support, and cheer on their 'oppa', 'unnie', 'dongsaeng'.

Fans don't judge.

ps: personally, if SM should be sued by EXO, I swear Chen is the one who deserves to file it. He is the main vocal, he sang almost all the songs, he promoted from Wolf, Growl, Miracle in December, SM The Ballad, and Overdose non-stop... yet he get the least fans. Like hello SM? What are your marketing group doing?

pss: nah I am kidding. "Without EXO, there is no Chen. Without Chen, there is no EXO", said Suho