By Ethel Navales and Kristine Ortiz
There’s no denying it- when it comes to KCON 2013, EXO easily ranks as the group we’re most excited to see. Admittedly, we had some doubts when we first laid eyes on this group. You see, EXO is separated into two subgroups, EXO K and EXO M, which promotes in Korea and China respectively. But together? This boy band totals to 12 members. Overwhelming? Just a bit. As much as we wanted to get to know the line-up for KCON, was learning all 12 members worth it?
YES. The answer to that question is a very enthusiastic yes.
Any doubts we may have had about this group were blown out the window when EXO released the music video to their song “Growl” and created an online frenzy. How good is this thing? People who had no previous interest in KPOP what-so-ever were complimenting the song, the hypnotizing dance, and the music video style.
Needless to say, we had this video on repeat for days. In less than four minutes, the boys were able to grab our attention and keep it there. Suddenly we were watching their interviews, listening to their songs, and slowly but surely learning their names and personalities. (We were also squealing, blushing, and hyperventilating over our favorites, but lets not get into that)
So we’re here to help you out. Having some trouble distinguishing the boys from one another? Check out Audrey’s Ultimate Guide to EXO and you’ll be all set for this weekend!
____________________________________
EXO K
1) S U H O
NAME: Suho (Kim Joongmyun)
HEIGHT: 5’8″
BIRTHDATE: May 22, 1991
NATIONALITY: Korean
POSITION: Leader, Lead Vocalist
IDEAL TYPE: Suho likes a girl with an interest in literature and long, straight hair. He wants someone that is knowledgeable with an explosive personality.
FUN FACT: Known for spoiling his band members by buying them lots of food.
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: It is said that he looks similar to Super Junior’s Choi Siwon
__________________________________________
2) B A E K H Y U N
NAME: Baekhyun (Byun Baekhyun)
HEIGHT: 5’7″
BIRTHDATE: May 6, 1992
NATIONALITY: Korean
POSITION: Main Vocalist
IDEAL TYPE: Baekhyun likes a gir that is full of charm. He likes a girl that looks good wearing jeans, which means someone with a good figure.
FUN FACT: Some of his international fanbase has nicknamed him “Bacon”
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: Thick Eyeliner and Charming Smile
__________________________________________
3) C H A N Y E O L
NAME: Chanyeol (Park Chanyeol)
HEIGHT: 6’1″
BIRTHDATE: November 27, 1992
NATIONALITY: Korean
POSITION: Main Rapper, Vocalist
IDEAL TYPE: Chanyeol wants someone cute, someone who smiles a lot, and someone who is sincere person. Someone who will laugh when he is talking to her and has a bubbly personality.
FUN FACT: He is very musically talented and plays the guitar, drums, bass, djembe, and more.
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: Big Smile (sometimes jokingly a creeper smile)
__________________________________________
4) D. O.
NAME: D.O. (Do Kyungsoo)
HEIGHT: 5’8″
BIRTHDATE: January 12, 1993
NATIONALITY: Korean
POSITION: Main Vocalist
IDEAL TYPE: D.O.’s priority is that the girl is kind and appreciates good food. He wants a sexy, cute, and beautiful girl.
FUN FACT: He is the cleanest and tidiest member of EXO
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: Thick lips and strong brows
__________________________________________
5) K A I
NAME: Kai (Kim Jongin)
HEIGHT: 6’0″
BIRTHDATE: January 14, 1994
NATIONALITY: Korean
POSITION: Main Dancer, Vocalist, Lead Rapper
IDEAL TYPE: Kai likes girls who are gentle and passionate. His ideal type is Han Ye Seul.
FUN FACT: He has amazing dance skills – He’s been doing ballet and jazz since childhood
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: ABS
__________________________________________
6) S E H U N
NAME: Sehun (Oh Sehun)
HEIGHT: 5’11”
BIRTHDATE: April 12, 1994
NATIONALITY: Korean
POSITION: Lead Dancer, Rapper, Sub-Vocalist
IDEAL TYPE: Sehun likes girls who are bright and cheerful. He also wants them neat and clean.
FUN FACT: He is the youngest of the group and has a habit of sticking his tongue out
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: Uninterested/stoic resting face
__________________________________________
EXO M
7) X I U M I N
NAME: Xiumin (Birthname: Kim Min Seok)
HEIGHT: 5’8″
BIRTHDAY: March 27, 1990
NATIONALITY: Korean
BAND POSITION: Lead vocals, Lead dancer
IDEAL TYPE: A comforting person who can keep him warm with hugs and will also smile at him brightly.
FUN FACT: He’s often been told that he looks like the Wonder Girls’ Sohee (http://24.media.tumblr.com/ff03db8621b7dd8579a0993a88b390d2/tumblr_mprfjwCbom1st49nxo1_500.jpg_ ) and is the “high note champion” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqaWYRvk2P4) of the group.
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: Sharp eyes and round cheeks (one of his nicknames is Baozi, or “Little Bun”)!
__________________________________________
8) L U H A N
NAME: Luhan (Birthname: Lu Han)
HEIGHT: 5’10”
BIRTHDAY: April 20, 1990
NATIONALITY: Chinese
BAND POSITION: Lead vocalist, lead dancer, “Face” of the group
IDEAL TYPE: A gentle, quiet girl who is graceful and elegant and someone who will cheer him on. Physically, he likes a girl with long straight hair and fair skin.
FUN FACT: He’s scared of heights; in fact, when the group went to Disneyland, he stayed with their manager and didn’t go on a lot of the rides.
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: Large, doe-like eyes
__________________________________________
9) L A Y
NAME: Lay (Birthname: Zhang Yi Xing)
HEIGHT: 5’9.5″
BIRTHDAY: October 7, 1991
NATIONALITY: Chinese
BAND POSITION: Main dancer, Vocalist
IDEAL TYPE: A girl who is kind-hearted, cute and respectful with a positive personality. Physically, someone who has large eyes, long hair and shorter than him.
FUN FACT: In 2010, he was in SHINee’s concert tour as Jonghyun’s dance replacement.
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: One dimple on his right cheek
__________________________________________
10) K R I S
NAME: Kris (Birthname: Wu Yi Fan)
HEIGHT: 6’1.5″
BIRTHDAY: November 6, 1990
NATIONALITY: Chinese-Canadian
BAND POSITION: Leader, Main Rapper, Sub-Vocals
IDEAL TYPE: Likes girls who can cook, are kind-hearted and willing to take care of people.
FUN FACT: Though he doesn’t draw well by most people’s standards, he firmly believes in his artistic ability.
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: Strong, bold eyes and eyebrows
__________________________________________
11) T A O
NAME: Tao (Huang Zi Tao)
HEIGHT: 6’0″
BIRTHDAY: May 2, 1993
NATIONALITY: Chinese
BAND POSITION: Lead Rapper, Vocalist, Maknae (Youngest)
IDEAL TYPE: A girl who is pretty with a nice body and has a nice personality. But, he’s revealed that love isn’t something he’s necessarily looking for, saying in an interview, “I really don’t care [about love/ideal types] because I’m still young and I’m a hardworking ninja that want to focus on my career.”
FUN FACT: He’s trained in wushu, a skill he often shows off on variety shows.
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: Dark circles under eyes (One of his nicknames is Kung Fu Panda!)
_________________________________________
12) C H E N
NAME: Chen (Birthname: Kim Jong Dae)
HEIGHT: 5’8″
BIRTHDAY: September 21, 1992
NATIONALITY: Korean
BAND POSITION: Main vocalist
IDEAL TYPE: Someone who is noona-like (“noona” = a woman who is older) and will take care of him and treat him well. He also likes a girl who is pretty when she smiles, has a faithful personality and an open mind.
FUN FACT: His main specialty is singing high notes (and even participated in a high note battle against fellow EXO members Xiumin and Baekhyun).
DISTINGUISHABLE TRAIT: A super sweet smile
