Just as countless viewers were reminiscing about the immersive stage of "Butterfly", the TV suddenly went black and started playing the VCR. EXO's LOGO appeared in the center, and snowflakes undulated from the bottom of the screen and slowly rose upwards. , as if the radio signal was interfered with.
Then an excerpt from Kai's personal trailer video suddenly appeared on TV. He was walking on the streets of London wearing a coat. The highly textured picture made people feel like he had traveled back in time decades ago. At the same time, a video appeared in the middle of the screen. A line of white font, London 15:00.
This represents the city where the trailer was filmed, and when it was announced.
After kai, other members' personal trailers also appeared one after another. Each picture was very short, just one second, and the fonts in the middle were constantly changing. The names of cities and regions appeared in English, along with the rhythm. The tense drum beat makes people feel like they are watching a spy drama.
At the end, the ten different trailer videos were all reduced to small screens surrounding the screen. Each one clearly showed the English name of their respective region and city. Under the constant changes of the small screen screen, the other words of the place names were slowly changed. The slow blur disappeared, and the first letter gradually expanded, and the last ten letters formed the title song "call me baby".
After watching this preview VCR, which is like a movie in terms of color, light and shadow, and seeing these ten cities connected together to become the title song, many viewers who saw it for the first time had a feeling in their hearts. I was inexplicably shocked. While praising the concept of this VCR and the cool shots taken by the members, I couldn’t help but feel that SM is worthy of being SM. Their craftsmanship and strength are not comparable to those of small companies.
"Call me baby, dudududu."
Before they could feel excited, the scene turned and the camera was pointed outdoors. Judging from the clear large screen on the floor and the trees planted around it, it should be the outside of the first floor of the SBS building. As the camera slowly went down, people sitting in a car Kai on the white convertible sports car stood up and started dancing to the sound source.
This scene really shocked many viewers. They had never seen the opening of a singing stage outdoors, and they couldn't help but complain.
EXO's comeback this time not only has an interesting format, but they also started to play songs in a non-conventional way.
"Hey girl's eternal version of Setsuna."
"A fateful moment."
"It penetrated my body and mind in an instant."
As Kai suddenly leaned down, the four members of the convertible appeared in the camera. Following Baekhyun's voice, the four people's hands kept moving, shaking their bodies uniformly, showing A strong sense of rhythm.
"Isn't it incredible? It's like fireworks."
"The moment I look at you, oh my."
"Sit down casually."
"..."
After the last line of lyrics, Baekhyun pointed with his hand, and the camera quickly turned to the door of the building. Chen, who had been waiting for a long time, slowly backed away while singing his part, and the camera followed closely and followed his footsteps into the building. internal.
Under his guidance, the camera moved indoors, where it connected to the scene that appeared in the MV. As Chen scrolled through the screen, Ji Kyung-won and Do Kyung-soo, sitting on the sofa with their legs crossed, appeared.
In addition to the sofa, there are clothes racks and a dressing table. The clothes racks are neatly arranged, making it look like a lounge.
After several people used the clothes hanger as a table and made several moves in succession, Chi Jingyuan and Wu Shixun strode towards the camera one after the other. As they approached the camera, the camera kept retreating to the corridor. , after the two people interacted continuously, Chi Jingyuan pointed at the camera, and then waved violently at the camera. The screen quickly rotated and was aimed at the gorgeous stage in the next second. The few people who were still outside before were The members were already ready and started dancing to the first chorus directly to the music.
"The world is full of strange things,"
“It’s hard to distinguish between true and false”
“call mebaby call me baby”
"call me baby call me baby."
The hexagonal stage, which is the same as the XO LOGO, is equipped with bright white fluorescent lights that look very shining. The surrounding silver-white searchlights penetrate the black beams and continuously shoot on the stage. The neat group dance is very cool and dazzling. Under the bright light, it is more crisp and chic, and attractive.
Including Jin Zhixi, many fans who were watching the live broadcast were dazzled by the continuous transitions. They seemed to jump from outside the building to the shining stage before they could react.
From the beginning to now, all the shots are from one shot to the end. The transition from outdoor to indoor and indoor to stage seems extremely natural. Several groups of members appear in front of the camera in batches. Everyone has their own characteristics and movements. It is light and creative. The most important thing is that the camera language is very well designed. Everyone dances neatly and their expressions are well controlled. It is interesting but not frivolous. The pop-like songs directly make everyone's concentration and excitement high. Pulled to full value.
Compared with some previous stages, EXO looks really different.
After a group hip-hop, Chi Jingyuan and the other three quickly appeared on the dance floor. Their appearance caused a burst of screams that echoed throughout the studio.
Because it was pre-recorded, all the fans in the audience were EXO fans, and the support was extremely good. Although the promised words of support did not appear on the stage because it was the first time, the screams and cheers almost never stopped. Every wink, support Hips, raised eyebrows, and even smiles can make fans feel a burst of genuine excitement.
The camera shot back and forth from left to right and from right to left, taking in everyone's face, body shape and dance. No matter from which angle, the dance movements were uniform, and everyone danced with the same intensity. Very full.
After two choruses, Kai waved his hand and the camera turned right. Byun Baekhyun stood on a small extended corridor on the right side of the stage, gesticulating and chanting in his hands, and in his ethereal voice During the scene, Kai and Chen entered the scene one after another from the left and right sides, each holding out their hands and moving back and forth with their hands crossed, until the final harmony sounded. Chi Jingyuan appeared in front of the camera. Four people stood in a row against the light, behind them. Under the blue lighting and brilliant brilliance, his face was filled with a dreamy atmosphere.
"Music carries your voice that wakes me up."
"You gave me a new lease of life!
In the close-up view of the camera, Chi Jingyuan stepped forward step by step to the beat of the drums, raised his head, and sang the most impressive part of the entire song with a slightly energetic expression.
Even though I have watched the MV many times, this is the first time for the live version. A completely different live charm that is different from the MV stirs up the hearts of those who watch it.
"E!"
"X!"
"O!"
"Listen!"
After Wu Sehun announced the name of the group, Park Chanyeol nodded, opened his jacket and covered it directly on the camera. The screen suddenly went black for half a second. The next moment it was revealed, the nine members of EXO were already on the stage. Standing neatly, we entered into the rap and the last group dance.
"Ahhhh..."
Seeing the nine people on the stage, led by Chi Jingyuan in the C position, stretching out their hands at the same time, leaning back and performing a continuous rhythm, and then panning to the left as a whole to perform a handsome crab walk, an indescribable sense of shock surged into their hearts. Everyone in the audience Ai Li, whose voice was almost hoarse, couldn't help but scream again. Every step of the large group above seemed to step on their hearts.
The big group of crab steps at the end is really one of the highlights of the whole song. As long as this unique choreography is performed neatly and beautifully, it will amaze the audience as soon as it appears.
This is the result of what they have polished over and over again in the practice room. The few dance shortcomings in the past have also kept up with the big team through a lot of overtime and self-effort. Although they cannot strive for excellence, at least they look harmonious. It’s a lot, and it doesn’t bring down the overall dance effect.
"call mebaby call me baby."
"call mebaby call me baby."
“I won’t tire of it a thousand times, call me girl.”
The music stopped abruptly at the end, and all the members took the Ending pose. Together with the shouts of the audience, it was the screams of Jin Jixi and her classmates at the same time.
Completely different from the MV, the live stage of the singing scene brings them a unique kind of excitement that trembles physically and mentally. The real and natural charm is even better than the former.
The MV is handsome enough, but because it looks too perfect with the addition of post-production, it is a little far away from reality and a little distorted.
And the performance I just watched, the gorgeous lights, the tacit cooperation, the enthusiastic fans, the neat dance and the perfect performance, the combination of all these factors made the audience and their fans feel like they had been baptized, with an unspeakable shock. Feeling, the strong emotions brewing in my chest needed to be vented, so I could only shout out involuntarily.
"Today's one is..."
“4minute, thick Camida.”
After Shinhwa's performance, the award ceremony was held. Seeing that 4minute won the first place, EXO smiled and applauded on the left side of the stage to congratulate. A classmate smacked his lips and waved his fist: "I must win the first place for my comeback next week." Ah, don’t forget to vote for the Obamas.”
"Of course I won't forget it, but there should be no problem. The sound source and sales are both very good. The key is that the live stage is so cool and beautiful. Both songs are great. I like every stage very much. I don't know. How are the reviews online now..."
…
"The first person to sing outdoors!"
Today's "Inkigayo" hasn't ended yet, and this entry has already been hotly searched on the Internet.
Clicking on some related posts, various messages began to flood the screen, all about the "Inkigayo" that had just finished airing.
"Today's EXO's first stage can be regarded as a godsend. The performances of both songs are unique and unique. After watching it, I still can't calm down."
"Yes, the stage performance of "Butterfly" is full of power. The sadness can be felt through the screen. Yuan, who is sweating in a white shirt, is like a god to me. By the way, when will the direct shooting of this show be released? I really want to watch it. "Call Me Baby" is also very good. The sword dances are very coordinated and the lighting looks very cool. But I think the most interesting thing is the outdoor opening and the one-shot transition. I saw I was really stunned for a long time."
“The whole ball of crabs at the end is so cool, I can’t get enough of it.”
"Didn't anyone mention that the VCR in front of the stage was also very impressive?"
“After watching today’s trailer and the first stage, I can only say that SM is worthy of being SM, and EXO is EXO after all. The scenery, lighting, aura and expressiveness of this stage are obviously not on the same level as other boy groups, and they are not the same as VIXX in front of them. It’s really superior to each other.”
"Praise XO just praise XO. Are you sick of your brain? You don't have to watch it if you don't want to. The resources invested by the company are different. Even if they are all pre-recorded scenes and lighting, there are differences. There are only so many resources, but some expressiveness is poor. There is nothing we can do about it, but we at VIXX have done a great job, so can we not try to do something for ourselves?"
"That's how Aili is. Otherwise, so many people would hate them, and they would be stupid and mean-mouthed, and they deserve EXO to be confused to the end."
"I don't know if Aili is like this. You don't have to worry about whether XO is confused or not, but can you please stop hiding information anonymously? Why are you hiding your head and tail when you say it so confidently? The idol must be an idol who has recently returned, right? Show your nameplate and have a head-to-head collision, and see if XO will knock off your idol next week?"
…………
"I'm really starving to death. What can I eat for dinner?"
"I'm still thinking about what to eat. Brother Chenghuan just said that he has to do a promotion later, so I guess I just want to get some burgers."
"Then take some rest first, and then buy some takeaway after returning to the dormitory in the evening."
"I don't know what time it will be when I get back today..."
More than a dozen groups of idol artists walked from the stage to the backstage. The narrow passage was a bit crowded. EXO members were waiting in the middle of the crowd while chatting idly.
Hearing Park Chanyeol and Kim Jongin complain about being hungry, Chi Jingyuan's stomach was actually a little growling, so he casually gave some advice on what to eat for midnight snack.
As he spoke, he suddenly felt someone looking at him from the side. Chi Jingyuan casually glanced to the side and found out that he was a member of Gfriend, a new girl group that had just debuted backstage. He was not tall but pretty cute. of.
But he didn't pay much attention. After a quick glance, he withdrew his gaze and slowly walked backstage following the loose flow of people in front.
Just watch it, you're used to it anyway.
In terms of results, this first stage was indeed very good. After returning to the lounge, the manager even took the initiative to praise him. The hard overtime practice before had obvious results. Looking at the expressions of Kim Junmyun and Byun Baekhyun, It's a lot easier.
After a brief explanation, I left SBS after packing my things and went on to my next trip.
This time the stage is off to a good start, but the comeback can be considered officially begun.
…
"You, you, you..."
"Just stay with me, okay?"
"Promise me?"
"Will it fly away if you touch it with your hands? Will it break?"
"Scared, scared, scared."
Minami Nai is sitting in the corner of the practice room specially prepared for trainees selected for the talent show survival show. She is wearing headphones and watching the replay of EXO's "butterfly" stage on "Inkigayo" today.
She looked at Chi Jingyuan in a white shirt in the center of the screen, dancing and singing softly under the light blue and dreamy lights, her pupils blurred, and she was a little obsessed for a moment.
As soon as the sound source and MV were announced at midnight today, she watched the MV and listened to the song. She also watched the live broadcast of EXO's return to the first stage just now. However, compared to the handsome and advanced title song "Call Me Baby", Mingjing Minami was very interested in it. The title track "butterfly" is even more popular.
Especially after watching the performance of this song.
The beautiful and soft melody pulled her into a fantasy fairy tale. Each line of the romantic and sad lyrics seemed to create a trembling ripple in her soul. In her rich inner emotional world, she seemed to have turned into a butterfly. , she could clearly understand every note and every lyric of the song while flying in the air.
This song touched her so much in terms of lyrics, melody, emotion, and the person singing it.
However, a burst of loud music brought her back to reality. Najing Nan raised her head and frowned slightly. After clicking pause, she took off one of her headphones and looked over.
As soon as I took off my headphones, familiar but noisy music entered my ears:
"Call me baby, call me baby."
Hirai Momo set up her mobile phone and played the MV, while she stood in front and studied the dance in it very seriously. She first broke down the various movements in it, and then imitated it non-stop with great concentration.
Sighing softly, this relative liked the choreography of "Call Me Baby" very much after watching the MV. He took the time to learn it after class in the afternoon and was very motivated.
However, her talent is indeed quite good, and she has learned well. Even the crotch part is done with precision and precision. She is indeed the one with the most outstanding dance ability among the surrounding trainees.
After dancing for a while, Hirai Momo seemed to notice Minami's eyes. She smiled at her, walked up to her, turned off the music and moved her body: "XO, the choreography of this song is really good, not only does it look good, , it’s also very exciting to dance.”
"Um……"
Mingnan seemed to be thinking about other things, and nodded a little perfunctorily. At the end, he pondered for a few seconds, and looked at her with a serious expression: "By the way, momo-chan, do you still remember what we saw near the company before?" A Mercedes coupe? The one you said was very handsome."
"Remember, it's the one Zhou Ziyu got on."
Hirai Momo bent down and blinked: "Remember, what's wrong?"
"If you've seen the MV for "Call me baby", there's a close-up of a row of sports cars at the beginning, and one of them is exactly the same. I went back and watched it several times. No matter the color, brand, or model, it's all the same. "
Najing Nan frowned, her cheeks slightly tensed, and she looked a little serious while analyzing.
Contrary to her companion, Hirai Momo didn't care at all. She straightened up and glanced at Nai Nan strangely, and said casually: "So what, it's just a coincidence."
"..."
This person had no idea where her focus was.
Seeing her nonchalant look, Mingjingnan pursed his lips slightly and said no more. He lowered his head, picked up his phone and clicked a few times, then began to study for himself, pouting and thinking to himself:
"What a coincidence..."
…………
After the official comeback, EXO has been busy at two levels. Not only has the previous work not stopped, but after recording the first stage, they will also start running various post-comeback promotional schedules. If the time is not too tight, SM company has reduced the number. There are many commercial performances and book signing activities, and it is estimated that even the preparation progress of the follow-up album will be affected to a certain extent.
However, this long-lost busyness made Chi Jingyuan feel a sense of fulfillment, as if he had returned to the peak years of EXO in 13 and 14 years.
At the same time, with the continuous promotion and the influence of the singing stage, EXO's popularity and popularity have also increased at a speed visible to the naked eye. The first single album "E" has obviously been liked by many passers-by and fans. The surging numbers on the album sales chart in just two days are the best proof.
In this case, although all members are tired every day, they are tired and happy.
To be honest, I wouldn't be the envy of other boy bands.
The day after the first stage, Ji Kyung-won and the others were called by their manager early in the morning. After going to the beauty salon for styling, they got into a nanny car and headed to Seoul Hallim Arts High School in Songpa-gu to prepare for the recording of the KBS variety show " Entertainer Agency".
"The Entertainer Agency" is a variety show broadcast weekly on KBS 2TV. It focuses on the latest hot entertainment consulting content on the peninsula. While interviewing current popular stars, there are often some special arrangements.
For example, this time, EXO will conduct a 'surprise guerrilla date' at Hallym Art High School in Seoul. The school that has been communicated with will gather many students together first, and the invited artists will suddenly appear in front of the students without prior notice. , letting the camera capture the most realistic reaction when bringing them a huge surprise.
This pattern is very common in peninsula variety shows. For example, Girls' Generation often participated in this kind of activities before. During the peak of their popularity, every appearance would cause a great response.
However, this kind of "surprise date" is very friendly to the most popular idols. Seeing that they are so popular will give them a sense of accomplishment. However, those artists who are not very popular and no one knows them will make the scene a bit embarrassing.
"By the way, I remember you weren't from Seoul Art High School. Why didn't you go to your alma mater this time?"
Chi Jingyuan looked away from the window, remembered something and turned to look at Wu Shixun sitting in the last row: "Zhongren seems to be from this school too."
"It was arranged by the company and the program team, how do I know?"
Wu Shixun shrugged his shoulders to express that he did not know, and then nodded to answer Chi Jingyuan's last question.
One good thing about EXO is that the remaining nine members have quite high academic qualifications. Not to mention Ji Kyung-won who is studying at Yonsei University, most of the other members have college degrees. Among them, the eldest brother Kim Min-seok is said to be preparing to take the master's degree exam. , Bian Baekhyun also has this idea.
Regardless of whether it is an art major or not, at least you have this academic qualification.
In the entire group, excluding Do Kyung-soo who graduated from an ordinary high school, the two with the lowest academic qualifications are Oh Se-hun and Kim Jong-in, who graduated from an art high school.
But even the two people who are lagging behind are pretty good among other idol groups. The members of the Peninsula idol group generally have low academic qualifications. Most of them graduated from junior high school or even high school. EXO's average cultural literacy can be considered outstanding.
This is also something that Elly likes to brag about, often leaving her fans speechless and angry.
But when it comes to this topic, Chi Jingyuan is actually quite curious about the life of students in art high schools. He turned sideways and asked with great interest: "So what do you usually teach in art high schools? How is it different from ordinary high schools?" Is it the same? By the way, how were your grades when you were in school?"
