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EXO Suho talks second million, Chinese member departures

June 12, 2015

EXO’s Suho (Yonhap)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — Suho, leader of the popular boy band EXO, Friday attributed the group’s achievement of another million-seller to its fans but said this made him feel more burdened on stage.

EXO’s second full-length album “Exodus” and its repackaged version surpassed the one-million mark in sales last week. The milestone came two years after it became the first act to reach platinum in 12 years in the local pop music industry with the combined sales of its first album “XOXO (Kisses & Hugs)” and the repackaged album.

“All these were achieved thanks to our fans,” the 24-year-old singer said during an interview with Yonhap News Agency. “Since I heard the news, I’ve been feeling bigger responsibility and burden when I ascend to the stage.”

Still, the band, too busy with an Asian tour and activities to promote the new albums, has yet to take time to celebrate the event. “We should have a barbecue party sometime,” he said, laughing.

“Love Me Right,” the title track in the repackaged version of “Exodus,” has swept local music charts since it was released on June 3. EXO’s other new songs are in heated competition every day with those from BigBang to top the K-pop chart released by Melon, an online music service which dominates 60 percent of the market.

The singer said having many members in EXO was key to the band’s popularity.

“I think that’s because we have members with all different characters,” he said, adding that having many members appears to have worked favorably in attracting more fans.

But after the departure of three Chinese members — Kris, Luhan and Tao — in disputes over their exclusive management contract with S.M. Entertainment, only nine members of the group remain active now.

“We were shocked and had a tough time because we treated them like family members,” Suho said. “After turning over a new leaf, however, we are now on good terms. It’s pleasant to work since we’re well united and enjoy working together.”

EXO has recently created new records for every step they have taken.

In April, the band ranked 95th on the Billboard 200 albums chart with the album “Exodus,” the highest ranking for a K-pop male act on the chart.

A Webdrama starring EXO members has recently become the most-viewed South Korean Webdrama with over 50 million views.

“Everyone would want to rise on the Billboard charts if he or she is a K-pop singer. This is a ranking that feels so unreal,” Suho said. “If we have a chance, we’d like to release an English-language album and have a concert because we have never performed there.”