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Exo

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Exo is a highly influential South Korean-Chinese boy band based in Seoul.

Logo de EXO
Logo de EXO

Formed by SM Entertainment in 2011, the group officially debuted in 2012. They are famous for performing music in Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese. Many people refer to them as the "Kings of K-pop." Others have called them the "Nation's Pick" in South Korea. The group currently consists of nine members: Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun.

The group's structure began with a unique dual-sub-group system. Originally, twelve members were divided into two units. Exo-K included Suho, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun. They performed primarily in Korean. Exo-M included Xiumin, Lay, Chen, Kris, Luhan, and Tao. They performed primarily in Mandarin.

Exo 2012
Exo 2012

This allowed them to promote the same music in different regions simultaneously. Following the release of their third EP, *Overdose*, in 2014, the members began performing exclusively as one unified group.

Building the group required years of intensive training and auditions. Suho was the first member to join SM Entertainment in 2006. Kai joined in 2007 after winning the SM Youth Best Contest. Sehun was scouted at age thirteen and underwent four auditions over two years.

Exo at Ex'Act press conference June 2016
Exo at Ex'Act press conference June 2016

Other members joined through various global auditions and casting systems. Between 2014 and 2015, the group faced changes when Kris, Luhan, and Tao departed. These departures occurred due to individual legal battles with SM Entertainment regarding their contracts.

Exo has achieved massive commercial success through several major milestones. Their first studio album, *XOXO*, was released in 2013. Along with the single "Growl," it sold over one million copies. This achievement made them the first Korean act to reach that number in twelve years.

Exo, MAMA 2014
Exo, MAMA 2014

Their later Korean studio albums and their repackaged versions also sold over one million copies each. In 2018, their album *Don't Mess Up My Tempo* reached number 23 on the US Billboard 200. This remains their highest position on that American chart.

The group's sales figures continue to reach record-breaking heights. Their eighth studio album, *Exist*, released in 2023, is their best-selling album in South Korea. This album sold over 2 million copies.

Beyond album sales, they are highly successful live performers. They have performed over 100 concerts during four headlining tours and several joint tours. Their popularity is so high that tickets for their first headlining tour sold out in only 1.47 seconds.

Members of Exo also explore music through specialized sub-units and solo work. In 2016, Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin formed the sub-unit Exo-CBX.

161031 첸백시 1주년 3
161031 첸백시 1주년 3

In 2019, Sehun and Chanyeol began promoting as the sub-unit Exo-SC. All nine members also maintain individual careers in television, film, and music. This versatility allows them to remain active in the entertainment industry even when not performing as a full group.

Exo's influence extends far beyond the music charts into culture and philanthropy. They have been ranked among the top five most influential celebrities on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list from 2014 to 2018.

Exo at Ex'Act press conference June 2016
Exo at Ex'Act press conference June 2016

The members also serve as brand endorsers for companies like Samsung and Nature Republic.

EXO-M at Nature Republic's press conference
EXO-M at Nature Republic's press conference

Additionally, they participate in the Smile For U project. This is an ongoing philanthropic effort with UNICEF that started in 2015 to support music education for children in Asia.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Logo de EXO.png
Logo de EXO.png
File:Exo 2012.jpg
Exo 2012.jpg
File:Korea President Park KPOP cONCERT 20130628 07.jpg
Korea President Park KPOP cONCERT 20130628 07.jpg
File:EXO at 24th Seoul Music Awards 03.jpg
EXO at 24th Seoul Music Awards 03.jpg
File:Exo at Ex'Act press conference June 2016.png
Exo at Ex'Act press conference June 2016.png
File:161031 첸백시 1주년 3.png
161031 첸백시 1주년 3.png
File:EXO at Dream Concert on June 3, 2017.jpg
EXO at Dream Concert on June 3, 2017.jpg
File:After the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony 4.jpg
After the 2018 Winter Olympics closing...
File:Exo, MAMA 2014.jpg
Exo, MAMA 2014.jpg
File:EXO-M at Nature Republic's press conference.jpg
EXO-M at Nature Republic's press conference.jpg
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