EXO to release new heat-related song this summer

Members of K-pop band EXO pose for the camera during a press conference at the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium in Seoul on May 28, 2017. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) — South Korean boy band EXO said Sunday it will put out a new album this summer, hinting that the title song will have to do with something about the scorching summer heat.

“A title song that satisfies both our members and the company has already been produced,” EXO member Baekhyun said at a press conference hours ahead of the group’s concert at the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium in southern Seoul.

“We expect the song to hit hard the summer season,” Baekhyun told reporters. He did not share any further details except a vague hint of what the title track is about.

“A spoiler would be the phrase ‘oh, it’s hot’ often said under the heat.”

The two-day concert that began on Saturday marks the finale of the band’s third world tour “EXO PLANET #3 The EXO’rDIUM” that began in July of last year in Seoul.

Prior to the latest Seoul concert, EXO has traveled to 17 cities, including Los Angeles, Mexico City, Bangkok and Tokyo, and has performed a total 37 shows.

The band sold over 610,000 tickets up until the Seoul concert. A total of 70,000 tickets were sold for the latest two-day show in Seoul.

“I believe ticket power is proof that we’re loved very much,” said Baekhyun. “I believe if we work harder than we have done before and present a good image to the fans, perhaps we can perform on a much bigger stage.”

Members attributed teamwork when asked about the secret to the team’s success.

“I think it’s the members’ teamwork. If we’ve came along five years with our pure minds and passion, I think from now we will work with the spirit akin to warriors with powerful unity,” Baekhyun said.

Baekhyun of K-pop band EXO speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium in Seoul on May 28, 2017. (Yonhap)

The team also hopes to win its fifth-consecutive top artist award at the end of the year award season.

“Our goal is to win the best artist award for the fifth-straight year,” said Suho. He also expressed his wish for the members to stay healthy and perform as long as they can.

Since its debut in 2012, EXO has grown into one of the most popular K-pop bands in Asia. The band has done particularly well among its Korean peers, with all of its three full-length albums achieving sales of over 1 million copies.

EXO has been recognized at multiple big-name music awards in Asia. At the end of last year, EXO garnered top honors at the Mnet Asian Music Awards, the Melon Music Awards and the Asia Artist Awards.