EXO-Killing Voice Deep Analysis
That was a lot of fun to watch, they are super charming and killer singers!
Comments (24)
Informative while kind of annoying. If you want a cookie cutter group there’s plenty out there. I came for your reaction to EXO not how they compare to others. I’m sure they don’t create music for that purpose. Once you get to know their body of work, you’ll realize there is no comparison. The recording studio videos are great. One of the best is Crown, their 2025 release. Your knowledge of singing is amazing. I’m largely here for EXO. If you take a deep dive, I’ll follow!! Thanks
From what I see you haven't reacted to EXO recently so I don't know if you got answers to your question. I'll try to answer some of them about the timelines and members EXO debuted about 3 weeks before BTOB in 2012 as a 12 member group - 4 Chinese and 8 Korean They rose to the top 3 boy groups pretty fast and were the no1 group from early 2013-2016 when BTS took the first place EXO is still in the TOP10 most popular boygroups overall even now despite being inactive for several years 2014-2015 three of the Chinese members left the group and the company 2016 Lay started his solo career in China 2017 Lay stopped most group activities, and concentrated fully on solo career. As far as I know he only participated in the Chinese version of the song Tempo in 2018 From 2019-2023 6 of the 8 Korean members did their military service, in 2023 there were a few months when they were all out, before Kai enlisted so that's when they recorded the album they promoted in Killing Voice - Exist. It had all 8 of them on it. Their previous album before that was a 6-member release in 2019 because 2 oldest ones were in the military already. In Korea you're not allowed to do "paid work" while in the military but if the work was done before the artist enlisted, then the song/album can be released while they're in the military. In 2023 EXO's subunit CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) left SM for their solo and CBX unit activities but stayed members of EXO Sehun enlisted Dec 2023, returned sept 2025 June 2024 CBX vs SM legal battle started fully and is still ongoing. From what I read it's become very messy. January 2026 EXO released Reverxe with 6 members - without CBX but with Lay, but Lay didn't join them for promotions and performances
As for their sound, yes, it's different from Stray Kids and newer groups. Mainly because 2018 when Skz debuted was the start of 4th gen, while 2012 when EXO debuted was start of 3rd gen Generations are somewhat defined by music styles among other things But also, SM is known for their vocals. You've reacted to SHINee (2008, 2nd gen), Red Velvet (2014, 3rd gen) and Aespa (2020, 4th gen)
They have a b-side medley which is sort of similar to this killing voice but you get to hear some of their lesser known songs in that. Another one is an acoustic medley where they sing a few of their songs including call me baby (which was also featured in the killing voice) in acoustic form. B side medley video: https://youtu.be/KINzWn7XMrI?si=k6cfO5cFNo41fHiW Acoustic medley: https://youtu.be/IgT_CxUuFK8?si=AASz4R0xB3JcbLtT
I also recommend checking out BtoB, who are 3rd Gen as well. They do a lot of ballads and are well-known for the quality of their vocals. (Eunkwang especially, who did a cover of Golden btw.) Their fanbase is called "Melody"
I love the killing voice videos! I also recommend checking out BTOB’s killing voice as well! They have really strong vocal songs. They also debuted the same year as EXO. Also looking forward to exo live concerts! They are so good live :)
yesss I love these killing voice reactions as someone who is a fan of like all kpop groups LMAOO such a fun way to hear new voices
I recommend you do the ateez one next :)
Up until Huntrx 'Golden', the song that most all korean singers went to to display top top top belting skills was a 90s techno song called 'Tears' by So Chan Whee. It goes up to a G5 (so just 1 step below Golden) and Chen (along with Eunkwang from the group BTOB) have performed it at concerts and on korean variety NUMEROUS times. Those are 2 dudes.........belting a 5th octave G (sometimes mixed....but NOT full falsetto). Let that sink in
here's a short YT reel that's like a minute long of Chen and the indie/ballad singer Hynn doing a duet to 'Tears' https://youtu.be/W8Rmbxu14DI?si=hZF5stTtJ0WRKh4x
also, i think i can comment on the englification of korean titles in kpop being bilingual. And what I'll say is this...........I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE why certain english titles literally have NOTHING to do with the original korean titles of songs. It's honestly one of the WEIRDEST things that kpop companies have always done and continue to do. There are times when a song will have an english word as a title bc it's actually said in the song (Oh My Girl's song 'Remember Me' comes to mind bc they actually sing the words 'Remember Me' even though the title of the songs when translated means Spring Flower Day) but there are countless cases where it's literally just some random word never said (or even the korean translation of the word is ever said).
then again.....kpop's use of english has always been kind of weird since the beginning. MANY kpop groups are acronyms for english words but, in english, they actually make no sense. Since the beginning.....H.O.T. is largely considered the very first boy group under the kpop trainee system that still exists today (and elder group of EXO actually) and HOT stands for "highfive of teenagers". Even EXO's original concept was slightly bizarre.....EXO was short for 'exoplanet' and the concept were that the boys were aliens with superpowers (don't ask). It's all pretty goofy
just re the original poster's comment about the members who aren't returning and the relationship between idols and their companies. I usually refrain from STATING something IS something (like stating that a company doesn't treat their idols well, etc) bc the honest truth is we don't know. We don't know what goes on behind the scenes, we don't know what larger issues are at play (whether regarding money, or individual contract stipulation disputes), we don't know any of these people personally so don't understand the relationship dynamics between members or between member and company. If I could give a tip.....don't even dip a toe into those waters, when relationships break down....there are multiple sides to the story that NONE of us know (even the most die hard fans), just enjoy the music and the talent
Thanks for the reaction! They are super talented. Exo debuted in 2012 and are in the 3rd generation of kpop (we are in 5th). You asked why the song Overdose was named overdose when the Korean title is Addicted. Kpop and k dramas do this all the time where instead of using the direct translation they will give the song or drama a completely different English title. I think they do this because the direct translation may not have the same effect or a negative connotation.
Im not saying you're wrong......I think you're actually correct but being korean and knowing how korean companies are set up, these decisions on the backend are made by people who, for the most part STILL, are korean korean and what they THINK english words connotate isn't usually the case. In the case of Overdose vs Addicted.......Overdose 1000% has a WAY worse connotation than Addicted IN ENGLISH. however, korean words and english words operate WAY differently.....generally speaking korean words have WAY WAY WAY more subtle meanings depending on the context that you use the word whereas english words tend to have very established definitions. You're right that they THINK the different english word is "better" in their minds but often, it actually isn't (and a lot of times just doesn't make sense)
Chen definitely has that effect! You get the feeling like 'It's always Chen' when it comes to high notes or so called killing parts in EXO songs. You already said you got goosebumps during Chen's part in the 'Obsession' reaction btw. And you asked 'Who is this guy?' Well now you know! 😉 And now imagine some EXO-L (fandom name) wanted him kicked out back in 2020 when he made it public that he was going to marry his then pregnant non-celebrity girlfriend. Dating in KPop, like with all boy and girl groups all around the world, is an absolute no-no. Some fans even sent destroyed albums and merchandise back to their company SM Entertainment. The Korean Times have an article about it, if anyone is interested.
The whole situation with Chen was crazy 😵💫
If you want another live snippet mix of some less known song they did Iove this mix they did with guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXp3ted3kbs&list=RDeXp3ted3kbs
Songs from here we should check out in full: (I’ll put them in replies and you can go off of likes if you want! I left out the ones I feel are unlikely to be requested)
Growl
Their current status: having a comeback in December!! The youngest (Sehun) just completed his military service last month. So we will get new music (and hopefully a tour!) sooner rather than later 😄
Obviously they are all excellent singers, but there is a sub-unit of EXO called EXO-CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin); any song performed by them feels like too much concentrated singing power 🤯. Xiumin doesn’t really get to show off here, but he is also capable of some jaw dropping singing. (Edit: Xiumin sounds like SHOO-mihn)
Did you recognize the 2nd song from K-Pop Demon Hunters? That (the full movie reaction) was actually the first time you would have heard EXO in your channel reactions! 😄
Oh wow!!! 😮