There are K-Pop fans across the globe who share the same passion. But on online platforms, it is hard to know about each other’ stories and K-Pop life. Even if we are in the same fandom, it is hard to get to know each other. So at Kpopmap, we started the Kpopmap Fan Interview Project to get to know more about K-Pop fans from different countries: more about their K-Pop life and tastes and to give them the opportunity to share with our readers about their favorite group(s) and bias. Admin Bee of the EXO fanbase called EXO-L YouTube Team, is the next fan to answer our questions. She is a fan of EXO, and particularly of BaekHyun, D.O., and SeHun. Check out how she entered the fandom, the songs and content she advises to new fans, and much more! Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from? I am Admin Bee and I am from the U.K. I have been an EXO-L since 2019. How and when did you enter the fandom? I was watching “Goblin” and really liked the OST. Especially ‘Stay with me’. I looked it up on YouTube and found it was sung by someone called ChanYeol and Punch. I wanted to see more of what he sang. ChanYeol led me to EXO. It was love at first listen. What are the reasons why you love your favorite artist? EXO are truly well rounded artists. They can sing, dance, rap, act. They’re all amazing visuals and their discography is the best. Despite being so successful and amazing at what they do, they are so humble and I love them for that. Who caught your attention at first and why? BaekHyun caught my attention at first, as soon as I saw ‘Monster’ MV. He was so pretty and his face chain was something else. He remains my bias to this day. Who is your bias, and why? Other than BaekHyun, along the way, I have added SeHun and D.O. I can even tell you exactly when it happened. For D.O., I was watching a performance of ‘XOXO’ live and he went crazy with the runs in the background. SeHun was the most recent and it was during the song ‘Say it’, by the subunit EXO-SC. His vocals were perfect. Which song by them caught your attention at first and why? ‘Monster’. I absolutely love how the beat drops, it sounds grungy and dirty- in the best way possible! Also, the rap there is one of SeChan’s (SeHun and ChanYeol’s) best. Can you recommend a title track and a B-side track for new fans? I recommend ‘Monster’… … and ‘She’s Dreaming’. Can you recommend a fancam, V Live, cover video, cover dance, or individual content video of your bias to our readers? From BaekHyun, I suggest watching his dance break during ‘Monster’ performance and his piano solo performance of ‘My Turn to Cry’. From SeHun, I like his dance practice video of ‘They Never Know’.
A post shared by SEHUN (@oohsehun) Lastly, from D.O., I recommend his performance of Justin Bieber’s ‘Boyfriend’, with ChanYeol playing the guitar. Can you also do the same type of recommendation for the group? ‘Love Shot’ stage in “Inkigayo”, the one where Kai is wearing a holster… And their Winter Olympics performance- legendary. Honestly, there are too many to name. Can you share with us one of your favorite lyrics? “Every time I fail, every time I fall, give me strength so I can become stronger” - ‘Stronger’ Are there any quotes by your favourite artist that you would like to share? “EXO-Ls are our youth.” What kind of influence has your favourite artist had on your daily life? Over the years, they’ve become a huge emotional support for me. In addition to friends and family, whenever I feel down or anxious, they’re my go-to place. With them, I feel safe. For you, what is your bias’ best stage outfits until now? Please share a picture or fan cam. One of my favourite stage outfits was from the Elyxion concert when they performed ‘The Eve’, ‘Forever’ and ‘Ko Ko Bop’. They had these white and black blazers on and looked so handsome. This is closely followed by one of their ‘Lotto’ performances where they were dressed casually and they looked absolutely incredible. Here are the photos: What is your biggest dream for your favorite group/bias aside from being happy and healthy? My biggest dream for EXO is for their company, SM Entertainment to allow them to reach their full potential. As a group, they are super talented and together they create magic. It is no secret amongst the fandom that many offers and opportunities have been declined for EXO along the years and I wish that they can finally expand their horizons and reach what they are capable of. I wish for them to have proper promotions and a fully dedicated team behind them. If you go to only one, would you go to a concert, fan meeting, or fan sign? A concert. I absolutely have to see them live. Describe them in 5 words. Talented, humble, funny, amazing, gorgeous. Would you like to see your bias group in variety shows? What type of variety show would you like them to do? I think EXO would be great in variety shows. They are unintentionally hilarious and that would make for some pretty amazing TV. I would love for them to be in some sort of food programme, where they cook for one another and rate each other’s dishes. A survival game show would be hilarious (and disastrous). I would also like for them to be in any game shows where wacky and fun games are played because they are so competitive with one another. What is your favorite side of fangirling/fanboying? New music and anticipation before a music release, before a comeback and discovering the new concept. You know, the shaky hands, heart hammering, dry mouth kind of feeling you get as you open YouTube to check out the song for the first time, that’s my favourite part. Do you feel there are any misunderstandings, things that are not well known, or any prejudices about your favorite artist from other fans (non-fans)? I see a lot of misunderstandings about EXO and the members and it really hurts to see. The narrative that EXO is not talented and they only lip sync, I wish people would just look and listen to them properly before jumping to false conclusions. Admin Bee’s message for EXO: EXO, I love you. So much, that not even I don’t know how much. I will walk with you for however long you want to walk together. We are one. Always. Thank you for answering our questions, Admin Bee. Note: Kpopmap Fan Interview includes some of the interviewed fan’s favorite pictures. If you are interested in joining Kpopmap Fan Interview Project, please get in touch with us at [email protected] Everyone is welcome to participate.
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