When you hear the words success, fame, achievements, and stardom, who do you visualize? Is it One Direction? Justin Bieber? For K-Pop fans, it’s EXO. The 12 male member group from SM Entertainment nearly swept everyone off their feet this year as they managed to obtain 48 trophies in total during their “Growl” promotional period. Those including; music shows, awards shows, international music festivals, and internet award shows. As a rookie group who debuted in 2012, it’s amazing to not only win countless awards and sell numerous albums, but their fandom is the most rapid growing among all rookie groups. Contrary to belief, EXO has accomplished all of this by their hard work and dedication towards fans.
In total, EXO has released 3 albums in just one year! Their first full album, “XOXO” was released May of this year, and managed to rack up a sale of over 1 million copies. The follow-up single “Growl”, with it’s hip choreography and mind-boggling one take mv, managed to attract attentions of thousands everywhere. The title track, along with the repacked album, was released less than a month after their 1st full album comeback. Not only did they manage to have back to back comebacks, they were the first group in 12 years to sell 1 million copies of their album. After “Growl”, EXO produced a gift for the fans, a Christmas mini album filled with fun and meaningful songs. Even before the official release of the album, they had already sold 5,000 pre-ordered copies!
Following their successful summer album promotions, all 12 members were invited to host the annual 2013 MelOn Music Awards. That night, EXO managed to walk out with the “Netizen Popularity”, “Bonsang (Top 10 Artists)”, and the tear-jerking “Song Of The Year” awards. Words couldn’t express the look of gratitude and the heart-warming smiles placed upon their faces. The next most anticipated event was the annual 2013 MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards) held in Hong Kong, China. MAMA has the most competitive voting out of all the other annual award shows. Thanks to the fans’ help and determination, EXO was proudly presented with the “BC-Union Play Album Of The Year” award, the highlight of the night.
As mentioned previously, EXO has such a vast amount of fans across the globe, therefore international fans have helped them win awards in countries outside of Korea as well. But getting to visit such places like Europe didn’t come so easily for them. Fans had to vote nonstop in order for EXO to be chosen to attend such foreign events. Not only did both leaders, Suho and Kris, attend the 2013 Europe Music Awards, they also brought back two trophies. One for “Best Korean Act”, the other “Best Asian Act”. They represented Korea AND all of Asia itself at the EMA’s. How big of an accomplishment is that? That’s not even the beginning of it though. For K-Pop savvy youtube lovers, eatyourkimchi are well known. No surprise here, EXO’s “Growl” was nominated for “Best Dance Of The Year” and took the title for the 2013 Eat Your Kimchi Youtube Awards.
All K-Pop fans must be sure of the various music shows EXO attends. However, some may not have kept track of the endless trophies they received on the shows. Combining KBS Music Bank, SBS Inkigayo, MBC Music Core, and Mnet Countdown results, “Wolf” obtained 4 trophies. On the other hand, “Miracles in December” took 9 awards, and even got its 1st Triple Crown! Lastly, but not least, “Growl” received a whopping 14 trophies and 2 Triple Crowns! Triple Crowning is hard to obtain, considering the singer/group must win on all three major music shows, not including Mnet Countdown. This is astonishing, yet, it proves to show that with their hard work, comes great fulfillment.
Due to their major popularity in the industry, it wasn’t long until the members received solo opportunities for themselves. Some of the more comedic members, such as Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and Chen helped to fill in as hosts for various radio shows. Some of these including their company’s other male group Super Junior Shindong’s ShimShimTapa and Ryeowook’s Kiss The Radio. On another note, main vocalist D.O. landed a role in the new film “Cart”, which features actress Yeom Jung Ah, who plays his mother. Other actors include; Moon Jung Hee, Kim Kang Woo, and Kim Young Ae. What more to add onto this list? EXO and MBC teamed up to produce their first reality tv show, which features members outside of scheduled events and in their dorms. This allows fans to get a glimpse of what EXO do during their free time, and also get to see even more of their favorite group.
Now that you’ve gotten a chance to look back on their success in 2013, are you curious as to see what others are predicting of them in 2014? Many fans, such as littlefox12, at exochocolate are hoping for “more live performances” and a “continuation in flawless music releases”. Other fans, like babyonion, are predicting EXO-M’s return to China for another round of promotions. It’s also made quite a stir around the interwebs lately, however, many fans cannot deny that they are wishing to see an EXO member on WGM (We Got Married), a tv show designed to fake wed famous celebritites and broadcast them outside of work. On a more promising note, fans are buzzing about EXO’s next comeback. An assumption was made, stating that they are most likely to release another album in February/March. It already seems as if the fans have scheduled everything for them!
2013 marked the most honorable year of all of EXO’s career. They prevailed at achieving global and domain awards, racked up album sales, won several trophies on music shows, received solo activities, and even promoted 3 times in one year. It’s hard to believe they managed all of this. The boys pulled through these last 365 days by giving their all whether they were tired or not. The fact that not once, did any member complain about working is heart-warming. As they say, hard work does pay off, and even Baekhyun says, “Life is a path full of efforts.” Indeed was 2013 a very abundant-filled path that EXO traveled along the way of life. None will forget all the tears, smiles, and laughs made between members and the fans. 2013 was just another stepping stone EXO took to reach their goal. Although we’ll miss our favorite memories, there are still plenty more we can make in the future with them. Keep shooting for the stars boys, we’ll be one step behind you.
(All credits go to the owner - Written by Writer Baekhyun (Errin)
@ EXOdicted.blogspot.com)
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