EXO Kai's thanks to in EXO's full-length album 8th 'Reverse' moved fans' hearts.
On the 19th, released after about 2 years and 6 months, EXO's full-length album 8th Reverse presented the title track 'Crown' on a showcase via YouTube and other platforms. The five members of EXO, unchanged from their early debut days, showcased perfect visuals in various ways, and the name EXO and the so-called 'SMP' style pursued by SM still showed itself, unlike the recently trending K-pop songs, firmly charting their own path and making fans' hearts beat anew.
At the showcase, EXO repeatedly expressed gratitude to fans, and leader Suho said, without crying that day, "I was happy as EXO." Kai, reported to have cried along, said lightly, "I didn't cry. That's why image is important," but since they had experienced successful solo activities and yet said they hoped to meet again as EXO in their respective positions, those words were sincere.
When the album was officially released, fans were deeply moved by Kai's thanks. Kai, who is sincere in communicating with fans but rarely shows pain or hardship, gave a metaphor to EXO-Ls called "you," saying, "I learn again every time how much strength there is in the fact that there are hearts that recognize you without explanation and how grateful that is," meaning he endured thanks to the fans. About that endurance, he left a line saying, "Words of thanks are always insufficient, but still I want to leave them today. Thank you."
Kai also told EXO members, "There were moments I could endure simply because we were looking in the same direction," saying, "I'm grateful that you and the hyungs are members." In addition, Kai thanked the company and staff, saying, "Thank you for pushing this process before the music and taking care of people."
Having a career that has never failed since debut does not mean there are no hardships. Also, negative news articles published under the name EXO have continued. Regarding this, Kai and the members did not complain. Rather, on such days they would ask about fans' daily lives via social media and reveal photos that fans would like.
In particular, when Kai won his first No. 1 with his third solo album, he always maintained the same initial intention as when he won a grand prize in his sixth year as EXO and acted accordingly. Rather than confessing hardships, he always left long messages of gratitude to fans. Kai, whose first message of the year was the same, in this thanks-to wrote, "There were no days that passed easily, and that's why I didn't want to miss them more. This album is not because it's perfect, but a record of the moments when I chose to keep going despite wavering," expressing his will plainly but metaphorically. In his own sophisticated and refined language.
This long letter, which showed no desire for achievement or past glory or personal fame, contains Kai's gratitude for the time spent with the people who love him, such as his fans, members, family and friends. It was something that someone who knows the value of the process could say.
Fans expressed overwhelming emotions such as, "So many events that happened over the past six years flash by," "When a person who never speaks of hardship expresses their feelings in such refined words, I wonder what kind of sadness they endured at each moment that passed," "I thought he had already shown his resolve with skill and album, but Kai's words make me feel that sincerity once more," "Kai, who already shows it through actions, gives words that are one huge sincerity," and "Forever we are one."
Meanwhile, EXO, which includes Kai, released the full-length album 8th 'Reverse' on the 19th and plans to hold an EXO concert in April alongside broadcast activities.
[photo source] Kai channel, SM Entertainment, internet user account
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