EXO L'UOMO VOGUE ( December 2016 )
ENG INTERVIEW + SCAN HD

 

So  yesterday I bought L'UOMO VOGUE with EXO and I'm really excited about this because this
magazine is exclusive for italian EXO-L. ( WOW I MEAN WOW. ) Since all the exo-l around the world share things about our boys I decide to share with you the scan and the translate of the article written by TIM CHAN about EXO.


" Ask anyone about Korea and they'll tell you the country is know for three things: comfort food, beauty products and popstars. While rice bowls and CC creams have seemingly penetrated the European market, the latter category has lately gone unnoticed. That's all about to change with the arrival of EXO - a dynamic, nine piece ( eight in our photo-shoot, as Lay was home with a cold ) boyband that boasts fresh mix of R&B-tinged tunes, futuristic dance moves and imitable on-stage style. They've conquered Asia, and now ther've got they sights on the rest of the world. A product of SM Management, one of Korea's largest entertainment agencies, EXO officially debuted in 2012 with their breakthrough EP, "MAMA" , which topped the charts and made the group an immediate success. Still, the guys had been together for almost a year beforehand, after having been assembled for voice and dance training, not to mention sharing a house. They began building their fanbase videos that introduced each member one by one, while letting fans into the recording process for " mama". By the time they gave their first showcase, performing live before more than 6.000 fans and industry honchos in Seoul, the band was more than ready to take flight. Exo has since become a certified sensation. Their combined albums and singles to date have sold almost 25 million copies in Korea alone, while Youtube views number more than 500 million and counting.


They were even nominated for an MTV EMA for " Best WOrldwide Act" with many of the members traveling to Amsterdam to attend the ceremony. Their latest album. Lotto, debuted as # on the influential Billboard " world Albums" Chart and spawned a massive tour that included stops, for the first time, in NEW YORK, DALLAS, CHICAGO E LOS ANGELES. It isn't hard to see why EXO is so successful. Their music is upbeat and hard to resist, playing off universal themes of parties, girl crushes and unrequited love. Asked to name their influences, the guys list off everyone from Chris Brown and Bruno Mars to Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé ( « She's basically perfect» gushed Xiumin, the playful, copper-topped member of the group ) While many K-pop groups have veered unconvincingly into other genres, or descended into caricature, EXO feels believable and earnest, whether they're playing it coy on a romantic ballad, or trading verses  and dance moves- on a hip-pop track. Thy're genuinely likeable too; a group of hand-working guys who just want to show off their talents, with smiles on their faces at all times. With their angular features, trendy hair and wide-eyed looks, the group's influence has extended beyond music, and into the world of fashion an style. In Asia, men ask for haircuts and hair color by group members' name ( I.e. Sehun, whose hair is currently golden blond and a shaggy crop ), and you can't walk down the street in Korea without seeing one of their faces plastered on billboards for clothing, skincare and even food.

The groups is even credited with boosting sales of makeup for men, after they appeared in a campaign for Korean beauty brand, Nature Republic. While EXO have conquered Asia, next goal is far loftier - to break into the Western market.  Their chances are good too. Though they primarily perform in Korean ( and previously released albums in Mandarin ) most of the group  members understand English and they've started sprinkling English lyrics into some of their songs ( see: " Monster" ). Chanyeol, the rapper in the group, appeared this summer on a dance-pop track with American artist, Far East Movement and Tinashe. Kai, the group heartthrob, meantime, has parlayed his god looks into modeling gigs for numerous international brands and magazines. « I think we're bringing something new and current to the industry  » says Baekhyun, who's got magenta hair and speaks with an eloquence beyond his 24 years of age.  « It doesn't matter if people don't understand all the words we're saying  », he continues.  « It's the feeling that our music evokes; you can't help but feel excited. »  Adds Xiumin:  « We've also harnessed the power of the Internet to connect with fas around the world,»


 Indeed, EXO truly are a group for today - and for the future. No longer constrained by borders, culture or language, they're bringing people together at a time where relationships are increasingly being torn apart. Whether as the soundtrack to a house party in London, or as stylish stars to emulate on the streets of Paris, EXO?s music and videos give everyone a glimpse into not only Korean culture, but the culture of brotherhood and friendship as well. « We're like a family », says Chen, with his deep voice and focus eyes  « We've shared our lives together, and we genuinely care about each other. That's something we want to share with other too. » Thought their schedules are packed these days - indeed, the soft-spoken D.o. tells me his next year is already planned out - the guys all say it's a  goal of theirs to travel more, to meet fans around the world.


 « As an Asian group, to be able to perform to different cultures and in different languages would be quite amazing », says Suho, the unofficial leader of the group.  « I'm just so thankful people are responding to us ». While some popstar rise to fame and are accused of losing touch with their roots - or their manners - the members of EXO say they're still the same eight guys who were recruited 5 years ago to work on a musical project.  «  It still feels like a miracle that people know us ». says Xiumin. With his bright copper hair, he's hard to miss, but Xiumin says even he has been stunned by how often he's recognized - and how far EXO's each extends. «  I was walking around the countryside of Vietnam and out of nowhere these teenage girls came running down the street, shouting our names. » he says, «  I was like " How do they even know about us here?" It was definitely surreal. »


 « We've been given a great opportunity to not only learn about the industry, but to also learn about ourselves », adds Kai. «  I'm figuring out what kind of performer I want to be, but also what kind of person I want to be. » Thought they're unquestionably famous, and impossibly successful, the guys say they're not taking anything for granted. «  I feel so thankful for this opportunity,  » say Chanyeol, bowing his head. «  I'm just a small boy from Korean and I'm always surprised that people actually know my name. »

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