REVIEW – 'EXO 'CLOCK' : EXO FANMEETING

EXO’S FANMEETING ‘EXO ‘CLOCK’ SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS AS GROUP’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED RETURN TO ACTIVITIES

EXO ‘travel through time’ in their 11th anniversary fanmeeting, and once again prove themselves as leaders in the K-pop industry.

SM Entertainment’s supergroup EXO celebrated their 11th anniversary with fanmeeting ‘EXO ‘CLOCK’ on April 8th and 9th. The fanmeeting was held in person at KSPO Dome on both days, and streamed online through BeyondLive on April 9th at 4pm KST (5pm AEST).

The fanmeeting marks EXO’s first group activity since member Baekhyun was discharged from the military on February 5th, 2023.

EXO debuted on April 8th, 2012, and currently consists of 8 members; Suho, Xiumin, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O, Kai and Sehun.

In line with the title theme ‘EXO ‘CLOCK’, the group “went back in time” to perform their most iconic tracks from the past 11 years. The setlist included both old and news songs that showcase EXO’s incredible vocals and performance, and solidify them as leaders in the K-pop industry.

The setlist incorporated a combination of songs that showcased the group’s amazing vocals and powerful performance. Tracks such as The Eve, Love Shot and Growl include complex choreography that are iconic to EXO, and others such as Don’t Go and Lucky focus on the group’s legendary vocals that are renowned throughout the industry.

The fanmeeting included both performances and games that allowed the group to interact with their fans and highlight their great chemistry as a team. Despite being separate for an extended period of time, it is obvious that the members love being in front of fans, and being back together, too.

The games similarly followed the ‘EXO ‘CLOCK’ theme, and saw the members travel “back in time” through their previous eras. Throughout their different ‘time periods’, the group completed various games and challenges. These included dance challenges, such as KAI’s own Rover and New Jeans’ Hype Boy, telepathy games, and other missions.

It is through games such as these that the members were able to interact with and feel closer to fans. ‘EXO ‘OCLOCK’ was the perfect way for EXO to celebrate their 11th anniversary together with their fans, both in Korea and around the world.

The members further discussed what it was like to be together as a group again after so long. Leader Suho described how emotional he felt thinking about how much time had passed since EXO’s debut, and member KAI promised that the group would continue far into the future.

The members also shouted out international fans viewing ‘EXO ‘CLOCK’ online, assuring them that EXO will be seeing them soon.

Suho addressed international fans in English. “We will be there as soon as possible,” he promised, “please wait for us.”

“Livestreaming concerts is great,” said vocalist Baekhyun, “but in person is better.”

To conclude the fanmeeting, the group unveiled their unreleased track Let Me In, surprising fans and raising anticipation for a possible comeback. The members also teased an upcoming release, with D.O telling fans to “please look forward to it.”

EXO’s previous album, DON’T FIGHT THE FEELING, came out in June 2021, and fans are incredibly excited about possibility of a new release after almost 2 years.

Overall, ‘EXO ‘CLOCK’ reaffirmed the group’s position as top performers and vocalists in the industry, as well as top personalities. The humorous and at times touching interactions between members highlight how EXO has managed to not only survive, but thrive for over 11 years – not just because of their incredible talent and skills, but also them as human beings.

‘EXO ‘OCLOCK’ was streamed online for international fans through BeyondLive on April 9th, from 4pm KST to 7pm KST (5pm AEST to 8pm AEST). The setlist for day two, livestreamed online for international fans, is listed below:

1. The Eve

2. Love Shot

3. Don’t Go

4. Unfair

5. Lucky

6. Growl

Encore

7. Love Me Right

8. Angel

9. Let Me In (unreleased track)