EXO’s Suho “I Learned About CBX’s Press Conference Through News + Sorry to Fans as Leader”
As he busily navigates between group activities, solo ventures and acting, his thoughts about himself and the components that make up his identity have deepened. In MBN’s Saturday-Sunday drama “Missing Crown Prince” (written by Park Chul, Kim Ji-soo, directed by Kim Jin-man, Kim Sang-hoon), which marks his first attempt at a historical drama since his debut, Suho’s role as Crown Prince Yi Geon has brought out new emotions and past memories he did not know he had. He said, “I wondered if the writer wrote this character knowing me.“
In relation to “Missing Crown Prince”, which concluded on June 16th, we met Suho at the SM Entertainment building. This interview, conducted just before the drama’s conclusion, coincided with the reignition of conflicts between EXO members Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin (CBX) and SM Entertainment. Suho addressed the heightened attention on him and calmly answered sensitive questions. He expressed that “EXO Suho” now feels like his full name and spoke of his desire to continually and newly challenge himself as both an EXO member and an actor.
– Recently, EXO members Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin (CBX) had conflicts with SM Entertainment. How did you feel as the leader of EXO?
▶ The remaining members were very surprised and upset to learn about the press conference through the news. We could feel that the fans were also struggling. Last year (during the contract disputes between CBX and SM), I felt bad for causing fans such worry, and as the leader, I am sorry for this.
– What is the progress of EXO’s full-group album?
▶ Since Sehun and Kai are getting discharged, we had been continuously discussing the album with the company and making plans for full-group activities. However, due to the current situation, these plans are on hold for now. I hope to resolve everything well with the members and show a good image as EXO.
– This issue arose just before the interview. Fans are very concerned.
▶ Fans have been very worried. Looking back, whenever former members left or when EXO had big or small issues, I often ended up speaking publicly. I realized that maybe it’s because I am frequently working and thus more exposed in the media. As the leader, I think these situations naturally come to me. Although I can’t guarantee everything as the members are independent and have their own identities, I want to comfort the fans and apologize for their worries.
– How is it to live as the leader of EXO?
▶ Initially, being the leader of a large group was burdensome, but as the members and fans trust and rely on me, I feel both a sense of responsibility and burden. My personality naturally takes responsibility, so I am rather thankful and happy for this role.
– What does EXO mean to you?
▶ EXO is my full name. I am “EXO Suho”. There was a time when I thought I should show myself as Suho or as Kim Jun-myeon when acting. But living as Kim Jun-myeon made me realize that both “Kim Jun-myeon” and “EXO Suho” are part of my identity. Even when receiving awards, I say “I am EXO Suho”. I think EXO cannot be excluded. In the end, both Kim Jun-myeon and Suho exist, but when meeting fans and the public, “EXO Suho” feels like my full name. I believe this is true not only for me but for all EXO members.
