sbdcsierra Chapter 1488 It still has to be EXO
Chapter 1488 It still has to be EXO
Chapter 1488 It still has to be EXO
Seeing that it was getting late, Kim Ji-ah said goodbye to her friends and ran home as fast as she could. Her backpack straps swayed wildly on her back, and her cheeks were flushed from running so fast. Her eyes were full of eagerness and anticipation.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Put your shoes away properly!"
"I want to see the oppas' first stage performance! It's about to start, I'll miss it if I don't!"
Back home, the loud slamming of the door and the commotion drew a chorus of curses from her mother. Kim Ji-ah gave a curt reply, kicked off her shoes, and jumped in front of the TV, grabbing the remote and quickly switching to the SBS channel.
The timing was perfect. On the TV screen, "Inkigayo" was playing the interview segment. DIA's Jung Chae-yeon, holding a script and with a bright smile on her face, shouted loudly at the camera: "Today, an exciting group has made a comeback, which is... the kings of K-pop, the world's boy group EXO!"
As the words fell, the camera slowly zoomed in, revealing all nine members of EXO standing neatly in the interview area in the center of the stage, their figures gleaming under the stage lights.
Wow! So handsome!
Kim Ji-ah sat up straight on the sofa, her eyes glued to the screen, unable to suppress a soft scream of excitement, her fingers unconsciously gripping the pillow in her arms.
To be honest, while the colorful hair of boy band members might look visually appealing under stage lights, it can easily appear strange and cheap in everyday interviews. Few boy bands can pull it off perfectly.
EXO truly lives up to their reputation as trainees carefully selected by SM Entertainment, earning them the title of "visual miracle" from fans. Even their exaggerated hair colors appear exceptionally harmonious on them, and each of them can confidently hold their own in front of the camera.
Especially... during these kinds of interviews, Ji Jingyuan usually hides in the back. He was standing on the left side of the third row, in the corner, but Kim Ji-ah still spotted him at a glance.
Unlike the other members' bright colored hair, his short black hair stood out in the crowd, and the neat buzz cut made his features look even more rugged and deep.
Gone is the gentle long hair from the MV; replaced by a refreshing and sharp look. Paired with a simple style, it makes her stand out even more, seemingly radiating light even when standing in a corner.
"Hello everyone, we are EXO! We are making a comeback with our fourth full-length album, THE WAR. The overall concept of the album is youth, freshness and hip-hop. The title tracks, DNA and Power, are light and lively. We hope to bring you a different feeling and we hope you will like our new work."
During the MC's interview, leader Kim Junmyeon introduced EXO's comeback with a smile, and then the group performed a simplified dance of "DNA" on the spot.
Although it's been a long time since her last comeback, she showed no signs of rustiness and exuded the confidence and ease of a senior idol. Despite the short length, Kim Ji-ah thoroughly enjoyed watching it.
"Ji-ya, come and eat quickly. Come over after you finish watching this part!" Oh Mom's voice came from the restaurant, tinged with a hint of helplessness.
"Okay, Mom~"
Kim Ji-ah shouted without turning her head, her eyes still fixed on the screen: "I'll go eat after I finish watching EXO's performance, just for a little while!"
For the next few performances, Kim Ji-ah seemed a little distracted, frequently glancing down at her watch, eagerly awaiting EXO's performance.
The third-to-last performance was Momoland's "BBoom BBoom," a song that became a huge hit at the beginning of the year. Kim Ji-ah initially loved it and often hummed along and danced. However, after listening to it and watching it for a while, she found it a bit tacky. At that moment, she couldn't muster any interest in the stage performance and only glanced at it perfunctorily before starting to look forward to EXO's appearance.
Finally, EXO's stage video started playing on the TV screen. Close-up artistic photos of the nine members slowly appeared one by one. Each one was incredibly handsome, with deep eyes and a strong sense of atmosphere. Kim Ji-ah instantly sat up straight, her spirits lifted, and even her breathing became rapid.
Meanwhile, the audience at the Inkigayo concert was already packed with people, so densely packed that there was hardly any space between them.
Although fans on music shows are assigned areas according to the artists, EXO-Ls always manage to squeeze out other people's quotas and attend in excess. Today's scene was a sea of silver, with fans holding EXO's light sticks, member banners, and having stickers of the members on their faces. It looked just like an EXO fan meeting.
"Aaaaaaah~"
As the video ended, the stage lights came on, and the nine members of EXO slowly walked onto the stage. The audience erupted in deafening screams as fans waved their light sticks and cheered loudly.
When fans saw the members' outfits clearly, many instinctively covered their mouths, their eyes filled with surprise and delight.
Most of the nine people were wearing loose and comfortable shirts, with a slightly lazy style, like carefully designed pajamas, but not casual. Instead, they exuded a subtle charm and a faint 'desire'.
Meanwhile, Chi Jingyuan, standing in the crowd, was wearing a pure white shirt with a simple black tie at the collar, which swayed gently with his movements.
The shirt was made of a light and thin material, slightly see-through, which outlined his tall and straight figure, and even the waistline could be vaguely seen inside. When he stood on the stage, he exuded a cool and abstinent aura.
His neat black short hair paired with this outfit created a striking contrast, exuding both youthful freshness and mature allure, instantly eliciting screams from the fans in the audience.
"Ahhh~"
"Look carefully."
"Through your panicked gaze."
"The city walls that eventually collapsed"
The intro slowly began, and as the accompaniment grew stronger, Do Kyungsoo spoke first, his deep, magnetic voice ringing out.
"This song?"
This is not "DNA" nor any of the title tracks from "Power".
It is actually a track from the fourth album, titled "THE EVE".
For some fans and viewers who only listen to the title track, this is the first time they've heard this song.
As the song ended, the performance officially began.
The stage design for this song is clean and crisp. The background screen plays psychedelic geometric patterns and flowing light and shadow on a loop, creating a mysterious and alluring atmosphere. The lighting is mainly black, gray and red. The blue beam at the beginning is cool and focused, falling precisely on each member, making their figures even more alluring. Instantly, the atmosphere is full of charm.
Most of the members wore fitted outfits in black and white, with clean cuts that perfectly accentuated their shoulders and waistlines. Each wave was impactful, exuding a strong sense of power and allure.
Kim Jong-in was the only member wearing a black off-shoulder tank top, completely revealing his arms and waistline, subtly showcasing his smooth body lines, which made the fans scream.
This song's style is completely different from the fresh and youthful style of the title track. It is full of restrained power and sophisticated ascetic beauty, a rare sexy style for EXO.
If I had to describe it in one word, it would be sexual tension.
Every movement, every glance, exudes intense sexual tension, making it impossible for people, especially female fans, to look away.
"We must break through, we must clash."
"To make us visible."
"Shout it out loud."
"Let the sound travel far and wide."
Soon, the song entered the chorus, and the nine members quickly changed positions. Ji Kyung-won took the center position, and everyone assumed a horse stance, with their pelvises slightly tilted forward, right hands raised high, and fists clenched tightly against their foreheads.
Then, a smooth wave movement unfolds slowly, perfectly combining strength and grace. The power starts from the shoulders and slowly flows to the waist and hips, rising and falling like ocean waves, neither too fast nor too slow. It has both the sharpness of power and the grace of lines, and every detail seems to be perfectly controlled.
"Ahhhh!"
The fans below the stage erupted in even louder screams, sharp and frenzied, almost drowning out the music on stage.
This move was so alluring; the restrained sexiness was more impactful than a direct display, making fans' hearts race and many of them so excited that their eyes reddened and their bodies felt hot.
This iconic dance consists of a series of continuous, rhythmic, and controlled movements, with the core being the ultimate use and restraint of "waist power".
The members will perform a series of continuous, powerful pelvic thrusts and retractions together. This movement is clean and crisp, without any unnecessary swaying, and each thrust is precisely timed to the beat of the drum.
Another key movement is the continuous chest wave, where the power starts from the chest cavity and flows through the abdomen and pelvis like waves. The whole process is smooth, slow, yet full of strong control.
These continuous pelvic thrusts, crisp turns and pauses, and controlled chest waves together create the iconic charm of "The Eve's" chorus, a choreography that straddles power and sexiness, neither vulgar nor lacking in impact.
The combination of supple body movements and precise control instantly propelled the song's alluring atmosphere to a climax, leaving the fans in the audience mesmerized.
"This song is so cool and sexy..."
"It feels even better than the title track, it's totally my style!"
A fan in the audience murmured to himself, his tone full of infatuation.
The fans in the audience were so excited that their eyes were red. They were extremely engrossed and thoroughly enjoying the show. Some fans were even so aroused by the extreme sexiness that their bodies were burning and their clothes were damp. They kept shouting the members' names, and cheers and screams rose and fell.
"..."
When the performance ended, Kim Ji-ah, watching on TV, felt a surge of heat throughout her body, a faint blush rising to her cheeks, her heart pounding as if it would burst from her chest. She was the kind of fan who had only heard the title track and hadn't yet had a chance to listen to the other tracks.
To her utter surprise, the album contained such a hidden gem of a song, with a powerful stage presence; every movement and every glance captivated her.
"So sexy..."
Kim Ji-ah muttered to herself.
The dance scene kept replaying in her mind; the members' costumes, their dance moves, their eyes—they were all so cool that she couldn't take her eyes off them.
Especially Ji Kyung-won, whose short hair initially raised concerns that it wouldn't suit the youthful style of this comeback. However, paired with the sexy atmosphere of the song "The Eve," his black short hair gained a unique charm. The strong hairstyle, deep eyes, and slightly see-through white shirt accentuated his tall and slender figure.
Every wave, every rhythm, seems to hit right in the heart.
"Ahhhhh! Yuan oppa is so handsome!"
Kim Ji-ah couldn't hold back any longer. Hugging her pillow, she let out a soft scream, her face filled with ecstasy and joy. But after screaming, she subconsciously glanced back in the direction of the restaurant, seemingly a little worried that her mother might come over.
However, she didn't have to wait long. As soon as the "The Eve" stage ended, before the fans' screams could subside, EXO's next stage performance began, followed by another round of VCR playback.
This time, it's the stage for the title track "DNA". After the video ended, the nine members appeared on stage.
The stage had undergone a dramatic transformation. The stage lights instantly became bright, bathing the entire stage in warm yellow light. Gone was the mysterious allure of "The Eve," replaced by a relaxed, cheerful, and hip-hop atmosphere.
Chi Jingyuan stood in the center, smiling as he looked at the camera carried by the VJ in front of him.
His look is similar to that in the music video, but with a touch more hip-hop vibe: a light-colored denim jacket, white casual pants, and a simple shirt underneath. The shirt has colorful paint-like patterns, making him look casual yet stylish.
With his neat short black hair and a white baseball cap, he exuded youthful energy, a stark contrast to his sexy and alluring presence on the "The Eve" stage.
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
A faint smile played on Chi Jingyuan's lips as he lightly snapped his fingers, the crisp sound perfectly timed. Then, he pursed his lips slightly and whistled his signature tune.
The whistling was clear and cheerful, with a touch of lazy ease, unhurried and captivating, just like in the music video, but with a more vibrant stage presence. As soon as it started, it grabbed everyone's attention, and the fans in the audience fell silent for a moment.
Then, an even louder scream erupted.
Although it only lasted for one day, this whistle has become the signature of "DNA", and the fans in the audience have long since learned it.
Even the many artists and idols gathered at the backstage exit, waiting to watch EXO's performance, were familiar with this whistle, and many of them couldn't help but snap their fingers and whistle along.
Even though they are both idols, many people think that the whistle sounds great and the action is cool. They think that snapping your fingers and whistling like that is very cool.
When Ding Huiren heard the familiar whistle, he subconsciously turned around and saw Hwasa, who had been complaining for a long time in the dressing room and was somewhat dissatisfied with meeting EXO, also lightly snapping her fingers.
Ding Huiren's lips twitched a few times, and he couldn't help but find it somewhat comical.
"I recognized you at first glance."
"It's as if we've been waiting for each other for a long time."
"The DNA in my blood is telling me this."
"You are the one I have been searching for all along."
As the melody of "DNA" officially began, Chi Jingyuan's movements were light and agile, exuding youthful energy and confidence, kicking off the entire stage performance. He whistled and swayed gently to the melody.
With his tall stature, long legs, and long arms and legs, any dance move seems to look exceptionally good in his hands. The hem of his denim jacket spreads and waves with his body, the wind blowing across his temples and forehead, complementing his bright smile. He exudes a sunny and handsome charm that makes fans' hearts flutter.
"No matter the time, the stage, or the song, Yuan will always be the most handsome one."
"And she dances exceptionally well."
Below the stage, two fans who were enjoying the performance up close were already incredibly excited, exchanging their thoughts in trembling whispers.
Soon, the song enters the chorus, which is also the climax of the entire song.
The nine members quickly changed formation, spreading out horizontally and rapidly gathering into a tight group.
The next second, it exploded again, instantly spreading across the entire field in symmetrical movements that were both clean and powerful, creating a strong visual impact.
The most brilliant touch in this choreography is undoubtedly the way they use the twisting and stretching of their arms to draw the shape of the DNA double helix structure directly on the stage.
The arms of the nine people were like tightly interlocked chains, sometimes intertwining and crossing each other, as closely linked as the base pairs of DNA, their movements fluid and tacit.
At times, it rapidly expands in all directions, mimicking the twisting and undulating motion of a double helix structure.
Every movement was precise and synchronized, so synchronized it was astonishing.
Many viewers felt that the choreography in this chorus was dazzling and pleasing to the eye, from the rapid gathering to the explosive dispersal, and then a very neat synchronized dance that made their hearts race, followed by another very distinctive choreography that made them groan with pleasure.
From melody and music to dance, and even the members' appearance and stage effects, this song seems to embody all the characteristics of K-pop. It's a masterpiece that blends various elements and has no flaws.
The terms and concepts of 'Kpop' and 'boy band dance music' seem to have come to life on this stage.
Many casual viewers who had been watching since The Eve stage, even without having read the online reviews, had a vague feeling:
"EXO's stage performances seem to be a level above others, not only in terms of member lineup and spirit, but also in terms of dance, lighting, rhythm, fashion sense, and the overall viewing experience. They are all significantly better."
"...PDnim, the current live viewership ratings are already..."
Backstage, the staff monitoring the data saw the real-time viewership statistics and, somewhat trembling, reported to the head producer next to them.
"How many?"
The PD, who was originally looking at the monitor, immediately turned his head and asked nervously and expectantly.
"It has already reached 3.5%, which is the highest rating tonight!"
The staff member excitedly announced, "Compared to last week's issue, it's increased by about 270%!"
"Sigh~"
Upon hearing this, the chief PD's eyes flashed, and while his face showed surprise, a smile instantly bloomed on his face.
SBS's "Inkigayo" has maintained stable viewership ratings. In the past two months, with no major artists making comebacks, the average viewership rating has remained around 0.9% to 1.3%.
Even if popular celebrities appear, it only increases the viewership by a fraction of a percent. The audience is already fixed, so it's hard to see any major fluctuations.
EXO's comeback appearance today has already raised the show's ratings.
I just didn't expect such a dramatic increase.
270%?
And it's estimated that prices will rise further.
The PD muttered to himself, his smile growing brighter and brighter.
Looking at the nine people on stage on the screen, I couldn't help but sigh:
"It still has to be EXO."
As the song drew to a close, the final chorus sang "LA la la la la la," bringing the stage atmosphere to its peak.
The nine members lined up and danced together under the bright lights, their smiles radiant and full of energy. The fans below waved their light sticks and sang along loudly. Screams, cheers, and singing blended together, echoing throughout the recording venue.
The deafening screams reached backstage, startling the artists gathered at the backstage exit, many of whom instinctively covered their ears.
Senior groups like MAMAMOO, who have encountered EXO before, are already used to this kind of commotion and don't feel anything except for a little envy.
However, for idols who did not make a comeback at the same time as EXO, such as the members of Momoland, this was the first time they had shared the stage with top idols of EXO's caliber.
Seeing such enthusiastic fans and awe-inspiring scenes firsthand, he was completely stunned, his face filled with amazement and anticipation.
Hearing the frenzied atmosphere and deafening screams, several girls covered their ears, exchanged glances, and muttered something under their breath, their mouths moving in unison:
"This is EXO..."