Welcome to EXO Planet: A Euphoria Special

EXO is a 12 member boy group that debuted under S.M. Entertainment in 2012. The group was originally split in half-- 6 members promoted in Korea (EXO-K), while the remaining 6 promoted in China (EXO-M). Their massive popularity, record-breaking album sales, and successful concerts prove EXO is a force to be reckoned with in the K-Pop industry. Though I'm already a huge fan myself, their international popularity is sometimes perplexing to me!

But HOLD UP! There's 12 members! If you have trouble figuring out who is who, I suggest you watch Simon and Martina Stawski's video below. They've put together a hilarious anthem introducing each of the members:

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I'm taking a trip down memory lane! To commemorate EXO's recent comeback, this Rambling will bring back EXO's previous flagship songs starting from their debut all the way to their last song before "EXODUS"was released.

***Given how long this post will be, I'll try to keep my "fangirl-ing" to a minimum and won't give final ratings

1.) "What is Love"

Background

"What is Love" is the group's first ever pre-released track off of their "MAMA" mini album. While the music video is a compilation of the several teasers promoting the group, the song alone primarily features the two main vocalists from each group, respectively. (D.O. and Baekhyun from EXO-K; Chen and Luhan from EXO-M). It's an R&B song about imagining and wondering what love is. It's probably one of my favorite music videos from EXO because of it's cinematic feel. I could easily imagine this as be a teaser for an upcoming sci-fi movie! It's a refreshing take on K-Pop music videos.

2.) "History"
They're here to make history!

"History" is the second pre-released song off of EXO's first mini album. Their debut was highly anticipated, and the music label did something for the first time in K-Pop history: they released not just one, but TWO music videos before the group even made their debut. At this point, you can really see how much effort S.M. Entertainment put in to hype up their new boy group.

Song
"History" is an upbeat dance track about the boys making their arrival in the music world. When it first came out, I fell in love with it instantly, mostly due to the excitement surrounding the group. But much like "What is Love", I grew tired of listening to the song. I wanted something new. "History" is definitely a gem, but it's not something you could listen to casually.

Music Video

It's quite a spectacle initially! Space! Flying purple planet! Snow! Wind! Sand! Rocks! The set looked incredibly real, I thought they really filmed outdoors! "History" music video definitely set the bar for EXO and raised it for the rest of the 2012 rookie groups. It looks incredible, almost like a real alien planet. It makes sense, since the concept of EXO as a whole was aliens that possessed super powers.

***At the 2:29 mark, you'll see six other guys suddenly show up. Explanation: @3:20 mark, you'll see EXO as a whole. They are the members on the EXO-M side.

Costumes

Futuristic, but they still had the slightest hint of modernism in them. It was also the first time I had seen such loose-fitted pants! At first, I thought the producers used some ginormous fans to make their pants flap rapidly like that, but it was actually the members creating the windy effect by using their hands inside the pockets.

Choreography

This is some intense choreography! But whoever put this together did an awesome job. This type of dance makes EXO seem like they'd been around for a long time already rather than mere rookies. Check out the whole routine here:

3.) "MAMA"
The one that (officially) started it all...

"MAMA" is the group's official debut song and is the title track in their first mini album. We've looked at two EXO-K videos thus far, so I'm gonna post the Chinese version of MAMA instead. They deserve some love, too!

                          

Song
First thing's first, they are NOT singing about their mothers, okay? In the Korean language, "mama" actually means "your highness" when addressing a queen. In this song, EXO is singing to their "queen" about how they're disappointed with the harsh realities of society. It actually has a very deep meaning, if you look into the entire lyrics' translation. So starstruck was I by the final debut of EXO, I paid no mind to the....

Careless, careless
Shoot anonymous, anonymous
Heartless, mindless
No one who care about me

...at the beginning. But if you can get past that, good for you! You can still appreciate this song! It gives off a Disney villain vibe.

Music Video
The Morgan Freeman/National Geographic/History Channel voice provides a great effect and all, not gonna lie. It makes the video more mysterious, but the things being said made absolutely no sense! I replayed the intro several times, and I STILL could not figure out what this guy was saying. But thankfully, I've found a clarified version here, although it's still mentally jarring.

On the other hand, the rest of the music video is awesome! I like how it reveals the members using their powers.

Costumes
These outfits have that EXO style. I don't know how to explain it, but this group has created a style all their own. Metalic jackets, patterned shirts, loose-fitted pants... You could look at these clothes and say, "Yep. That's the EXO look."

Choreography
Just as good as "History". Sort of like "History"'s big brother, in terms of choreography! ... Or "History"'s mother. Ha! See what I did there? Because they sing "MAMA" and it sounds like mama to us, and mama means mother and ehe.... hehe... yeah....

4.) "Wolf" 
"I will put you in my mouth like cheese"

"Wolf", or sometimes translated as "Wolf and Beauty", is the first song to feature all the members together. It is the flagship song of their first full-length album: "XOXO"

Song

Electronic song about how the members are dangerous wolves that have fallen for a beautiful girl. I haven't much to say about this, considering it's one of my-- and perhaps the entire fandom's-- least favorite song of EXO. The lyrics are pretty funny, especially the part about cheese. What I do like about it, however, is the intense vocals and mind blowing high notes that come flying in at the end. (THAT HIGH NOTE  @2:57, MAN!)

Music Video

Impressive enough, but the trend of S.M. Entertainment's box sets has returned... I get that the whole red-eye effect is an attempt to make the members look menacing and tough, but I just don't see it anymore (compared to my shock when I watched the teaser. I watched it in the morning when it was still dark out, and I got spooked!).

Costumes

I noticed numerous things in "Wolf". Kai's cornrows. Luhan's mesh top with the fluffy cufflinks. Striped socks. These were some of the crazier outfits of EXO.

Choreography

Awesome choreography. Very wolf-like. During the live performances, it felt like I was watching a musical number.

5.) "Growl"
The song that skyrocketed these boys to legendary stardom! If their previous songs haven't grabbed your attention, then this one definitely will!

One-take version:

Alternate version:

This is by far EXO's best track to date.

Song

"Growl" brought out the smooth side of the EXO members. The song is catchy, cool, and it has lovely harmonies in between. This song is about their protectiveness over the girl they like, telling other guys to back off . If this doesn't make you want to get up and groove, you might want to have your ears checked! That's all I can say.

Music Video
The first K-Pop video I've seen that recorded everything in one take! This is what really made it stand out, and it allowed us to appreciate the choreography through the whole video! I must say I favor the one take version more than the alternate one.

Costumes
I like how each member's uniform is made a little different instead of them wearing identical ones. In the alternate version, I like the use of those black straps. Combined with the simple button down shirts, it gives the outfits a unique look.

Choreography
BEST. CHOREOGRAPHY. EVER. I've even tried learning this myself, and it is not easy! Tony Testa choreographed "Growl". Due to its difficulty, member Kris had expressed that it took them 3-4 months to learn the routine!

6.) "Miracles in December"
The long-awaited Christmas album!

Background

"Miracles in December" is the main title track of their Christmas album that goes by the same name. The group expressed it was their gift to the fans in thanks for the their successful 2013 year. While most Christmas special albums are cheerful, this album takes on a more solemn tone, expressing regret over a broken relationship and the wish to being anew. There are only three members singing, but the video features cut scenes of all of EXO. I particularly like the set of the members standing in the snow. It makes me think of something you'd see in a movie, what with the depressing scene it creates.

7.) "Overdose"

The last time we'll see the members as 12.

Song
Doesn't compare to Growl, but it's still a good song. We see a more mature side of EXO with this release.

Music Video
Not a big fan of the box sets, but this is definitely EXO's style. I like the maze scenes at the beginning, especially how it turns out that the maze is their new logo.

Costumes
Guy-liner and eyeshadow everywhere. The outfits are a little wacky at first. What's with the bucket hats? But the I realized that this song is about the effects of "love overdose". It makes you crazy. Sometimes, it makes you go insane. I think this serves as a reasonable explanation for the members' costumes. They look a little "crazy" in them. The suits, on the other hand, are. on. POINT! I love it.

Choreography
Just look at the thumbnail! I didn't realize EXO was going cheerleader on me! All jokes aside, it's very very creative!

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