[TRANS] EXO-M @ China Times Magazine - From 120924

[MAGAZINE] China Times Magazine

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Caption [big]: Compelling Handsomeness – EXO-M’s second time performing in Taiwan, first time accepting interview.

Caption [top left]: Korean member Xiumin (3^rd from the left) thinks that everyone’s Korean is very fluent, no matter if it’s work or in life they don’t have communication issues.

Caption [bottom left]: EXO-M’s debut – EXO-M just debuted for not even half a year yet has already accumulated many fans.

EXO-M: Using SJ as imaginary enemies

Looking at Asia’s album market, the recent years have already all been kpop’s domain, various male groups and girl groups or composite groups, and the melodies and brainwashing repetitive lyrics that are easy to hum, paired with dazzling outfits and strong dance abilities, letting Korean groups be essentially invincible in Asia. A few days ago we interviewed SM’s new group EXO-M, 6 members made up of 4 Chinese members and 2 Korean members, towards their second time performing in Taiwan, leader Kris loudly said said: “We feel the powerful influence SJ has in Taiwan and hope that in the future EXO can also accomplish it.” The seniors’ sense of rivalry is matching in strength, EXO-M who is strictly self-disciplined has group practices every day, member Lay revealed: “Every day after 2 hours of group practice we also have to do individual practice.”

Two years ago, Korean music began to show its power, from Southeast Asia in the very beginning to Taiwan and China, followed quickly by a direct attack on Japan and European and American countries, letting the entire world understand that Korea could not only design household appliances and cell phones, but is an entire consolidated audiovisual country with Internet, games, and entertainment. In terms of Korea’s entertainment industry, unremittingly pushing out various male and female groups, everyone can sing and dance, letting just a concert-type show have 10+ groups, on the stage and environment each group is more exquisite than the one before.

The opening stage absorbed the new Chinese talent

But aside from the domestic talents, Korea’s managing companies had already begun to go to mainland China to cast people ten years ago, the main power group SJ previously also had a Chinese member Han Geng, and in SJ-M which emphasizes Mandarin also includes Zhou Mi from China and Taiwan’s Henry, in order to strive for Taiwan and China’s recognition, SJ-M even previously had a long stay in Taiwan for a few months, and became the Korean group that appears in Taiwan the most often in the past two years.

Aside from SJ-M, this year in March and April a 12-member boy group EXO debuted in China and Korea, from the very beginning they were already planning to become the two groups EXO-M and EXO-K, in June SMTOWN came and had a concert for the first time, EXO in place as the new aces attracted many of the audience’s gazes. A few days ago they came for the second time with their seniors SJ-M and went to Tainan to perform, also giving them more chances to feel the Taiwanese fans’ compassion and love.

According to the reporters’ observations, even though most fans came for SJ-M, there were also many large placards supporting LU as well as Kris, it was evident that although they just debuted for not too long, they have already accumulated a decent popularity and awareness. Actually, although they’re from a Korean company, EXO-M has 4 members, as well as two Korean members, forming fresh blood that can promote back in Korea but strongly attack the world’s Chinese market.

In addition, many Chinese netizens have already taken notice of this group, adding to the four members that have Chinese as their mother tongue, and the Korean flavor of styling, and a magnificent dance song <MAMA>, letting this Chinese-Korean mixed group accounts for pretty good opportunities and attention.

Debuted for half a year
Making a name for themselves in the Chinese industry

Towards future releases, EXO-M’s leader Kris generously confessed, this time when they came to Taiwan they could feel the influential power SJ has here, “We have just debuted for not very long, so we do not currently have a very complete image, but following this we will work hard to find our most fitting images, we hope that in the future we will be able to have this big of an influence like SJ.” Speaking of Taiwan’s fans and the atmosphere of the stage, the six members were all very praising, Korean member Chen even jokingly said: “The fans here are really great!”

However, although they are mainly attacking the Chinese market, but if the members didn’t speak, probably no one would discover that most of the members were chosen from the Chinese mainland, logically speaking, this is a struggle to the Korean members Xiumin and Chen who are in the minority, but by the reporters’ observations, other than taking interviews, the usual work situations and interactions in personal life are still using Korean to communicate, “Because everyone’s Korean is fluent, communication is very easy.”

Of course, living together will definitely have disagreements and places where opinions are different, Kris revealed that everyone is actually very mutually understanding, normally when there are any things that need to be coordinated he will come forward.

Full schedule
Wild wishes for a break to spend time with family

As the main dancer of the group, Lay revealed that no matter how busy they are, the members still have to spend at least two hours in group practice a day, plus individual practice aiming at their own weaknesses, every day they have to spend at least half a day’s time, Tao who likes wushu the most has still practiced uninterruptedly so far, a condition where at any time he will be doing any sort of strange special training. However, even if they have a full schedule, everyone still wants to find time for a break, Lu and Lay revealed that they themselves wanted a few days’ rest, “We could take a walk with our families for a day, this would just be too great.”

Even though they have rigorous training and perfect packaging, EXO-M are quite close with people without being arrogant, no matter if it’s waiting on the set of a photoshoot or actively helping move the couch, the six big men moved together when Kris gives an order, also proving that the group is definitely more important than the individual.

When asked about the feeling of walking the red carpet, Xiumin shyly said: “No matter what we always have to protect the original attitude.” Yet Tao felt that he was more mature than before and more aware of other people’s views, Lay and Chen felt that everything is for the group, but as public figures they have to pay attention to their private lives, they can’t give everyone a bad demonstration. It looks like honing practice and the group’s sense of identity is the key to success, perhaps this is also Asian countries’ entertainment industry, this is the reason for being weak below the hit of “Hallyu”!

(Center photo & profiles)

Caption: EXO-M who has tall and handsome appearances, is a Chinese-Korean mixed group made up of 4 Chinese members and 2 Korean members. 

Perspective on EXO-M

Kris (Leader) (First on left)
Real name: Wu Fan
Age: 21 (1990.11.06)
Height: 187cm
Albums: EXO-M’s first mini album «MAMA»
Experience: 2007 Global Audition Canada, trainee for 5 years

Lay (Second on the left)
Real name: Zhang Yixing
Age: 20 (1991.10.07)
Height: 178cm
Experience: 2008 SM Casting System, trainee for 4 years

Lu Han (Third on the left)
Real name: Lu Han
Age: 21 (1990.4.20)
Height: 178cm
Experience: 2010 SM Casting System, trainee for 2 years

Xiumin (Fourth on the left)
Real name: Kim Minseok
Age: 21 (1990.3.26)
Height: 173cm
Experience: 2008 SM Casting System, trainee for 4 years

Chen (Second on the right)
Real name: Kim Jongdae
Age: 19 (1992.9.21)
Height: 177cm
Experience: 2011 SM Casting System, trainee for 1 year

Tao (First on the right)
Real name: Huang Zitao
Age: 18 (1993.5.2)
Height: 183cm
Experience: 2010 SM Casting System, trainee for 2 years 

T/N: Some of their ages are wrong; the magazine made a mistake.

(Source: miki / Trans by: hyewon@exom-trans)

Shared by Luhan @ EXOdicted.blogspot.com

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