12th year EXO, Initial Chodong's own best record
16-year-old SHINee wins 4 crowns by defeating Espa-Le Seraphim
16-year-old SHINee wins 4 crowns by defeating Espa-Le Seraphim
《Kim Se-ah's Attentiveness》
Reporter Kim Se-ah TenAsia digs into the issues of the entertainment industry with 'three' and 'sim'.
In 10 years, even mountains and rivers change, but there are outstanding idols with a high age who still keep their place in the music industry. SHINee and EXO. Although they are big seniors who have already passed 10 years since their debut, they are showing potential that is not inferior to their juniors.
EXO, who made a comeback on the 10th, released their 7th regular album, EXIST, and started their comeback activities with the title song 'Cream Soda'. This is their comeback with a regular album after 3 years and 8 months.
EXO, the '12-year-old' idol who debuted in 2012, has surpassed 1.6 million pre-orders for this regular album alone (as of the 9th). Also, on the first day of release, it recorded Initial Chodong sales of more than 1 million copies, setting its own record, showing a solid appearance.
Especially in this comeback, EXO went through a lot of twists and turns. Kai, who was preparing for EXO's 'full group' comeback in May, suddenly enlisted in the military and put a brake on it. It must have been disappointing news for fans who had been waiting for a full group activity after a long absence after enlisting in the military.
However, a bigger difficulty came to EXO. Prior to their comeback in June, members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin notified their agency SM Entertainment of the termination of their exclusive contracts. Because it was a matter of trust, EXO faced a crisis once again, but dramatically resolved the misunderstanding between them, agreed to revise some of the contracts, and sealed the conflict.
I couldn't avoid competing with my junior 'Zero Base One' who debuted on the same day. On the 10th, 'Zero Base One' recorded 1.24 million copies of its debut album in the first week and became a million-seller, splendidly announcing that it is the 5th generation of K-pop. However, immediately after its release, EXO's 'Cream Soda' ranked 26th on Melon and 'In Bloom' by Zero Base One entered the TOP 28, showing off the appearance of a senior with a high seniority that is not inferior to juniors.
SHINee, who celebrated their 16th year of debut this year, also showed skill that is not inferior to their juniors. SHINee, who released their 8th regular album 'HARD' on the 26th, announced a suspension of activities due to Onew's sudden health problems prior to a full-fledged comeback.
Leader and vocalist Onew's position was vacant, but on the 9th, SHINee performed 'HARD' on SBS 'Inkigayo' with Espa 'Spicy' and Le Seraphim 'Eve, Psyche, and Bluebeard's Wife' and showed a solid appearance by filling the vacancy by winning 4 crowns.
Especially since it was 'Inkigayo', where female idols often won first place, it was even more meaningful. In fact, on this day, a male idol prior to SHINee took first place in the first week of May, Seventeen's 'Son Oh Gong', and it was the first male idol to win the award in about two months.
In the music industry, where 4th generation female idols are strong, the performance of '2nd generation' senior SHINee, who defeated the outstanding juniors 'Aespa' and 'Le Seraphim', stands out. In response, SHINee's Taemin also humbly expressed his feelings, "Hasn't it been a while since we debuted? Thank you for always supporting us even though it's been over 15 years."
As the saying goes, 'the ground hardens after the rain', SHINee and EXO proved the potential of older idols even though they went through a crisis that put the brakes on their activities. I look forward to the history they will continue to write in the future as they are still holding their ground.
Reporter Kim Se-ah, Ten Asia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr