EXO

EXO – South Koren – Chinese group

SM Entertainment formed Exo (sometimes stylized as EXO) in 2011 in Seoul. Its members are Suho, Sehun, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Xiumin, D.O., Kai, Lay, and Chen. They perform in Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese.

In 2012, with SM Entertainment’s assistance, the group released its debut EP, Mama. The success of the first album was overwhelming. It climbed to the top of South Korea Gaon Weekly Albums Chart and came in 8th on Billboard’s World Albums Chart. The Chinese version of the album settled on the second spot of Sina Album Chart (China) but didn’t make it to the US charts. Soon after the release, many fans tried to book Exo for private events, but their schedule was tight.

In June 2013, the artists recorded their first LP, XOXO. Two months later, the Chinese version came out under the name of Growl. Both albums were released in Kiss and Hug editions. They reached the top 10 of South Korea Gaon Weekly Albums Chart, South Korea Gaon Monthly Albums Chart, and South Korea Gaon 2013 Yearly Albums Chart. The album also climbed to a high spot on the Japan Oricon Weekly Albums Chart. It became successful in the USA, topping Billboard World Albums Chart and reaching the 23rd spot of US Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart.

The same year, the group released its second EP, Miracles in December. It topped the South Korean national chart and came in second in China.

In 2014, Exo recorded its first live album, Exology Chapter 1: The Lost Planet. It became successful in South Korea and Japan. Songs "Machine (Live)", "History (Live)", "Breakin' Machine (XIUMIN Solo) (Live)", and "Peter Pan (Live)" became hits.

The same year, the musician recorded a new EP, Overdose. It featured six songs. One of them, “Overdose”, became a huge hit. The album brought the group a variety of awards, including a prize at Mnet Asian Music Awards for Album of the Year, Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards for Artist of the Year (Album), SBS Awards Festival for Best Album, 8th Miguhui Awards for Best Performance, and 3rd YinYueTai V-Chart Awards for Album of the Year

In 2015, the group presented another LP in two versions, Exodus and Love Me Right and an EP Sing for You. The latter topped South Korea Gaon Weekly Albums Chart and South Korea Gaon Monthly Albums Chart. It also came in second on Billboard World Album Chart. The LP was also a success. It reached the 95th spot of Billboard 200 and the 4th position of the South Korean chart.

In 2016, Exo recorded Ex'Act (Lotto for China). The album topped South Korean Albums, came in 8th on Japanese Albums Chart and reached the 2nd spot of the Billboard World Albums Chart. The same year, the artists recorded a new EP, For Life. It also climbed to high spots on South Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and American charts.

In 2017, the artists presented a new EP, Universe. It topped South Korean Albums and Japanese Western Albums Charts and came in second on US World Albums Chart. The next LP, The War, came out in July. Two months later, its Chinese version The War: The Power of Music appeared. The albums reached high spots on the charts and sold over 1.5 million copies. The same year, the musicians presented a new live album, EXO PLANET No. 3 - The EXO'rDIUM.

Exo began the next year with a new LP for the Japanese fans called Countdown. It topped Japanese Albums Chart and came in fourth on Billboard’s World Albums Chart.

In November 2018, the group released Don't Mess Up My Tempo. It topped the Korean chart and reached high spots on European and American charts. Its Chinese version is yet to be released.

The group has achieved immense popularity in both Korea and abroad. They continue recording new songs and performing live.