It’s not impossible for EXO.

South Korean boy group EXO has proven again and again its popularity and position in the K-Pop scene as one of the best Korean boy groups of this generation.

Every comeback is met with anticipation and overflowing support from its loyal fan base EXO-L that it is no surprise that in five years, EXO set records and reached heights no other group has achieved.

EXO during the press event for “The War” album on July 18. (Photo from Yonhap)

The Korean boy group sans member Lay is now back to wage war in the music scene with its fourth studio album The War. And EXO did not hesitate to reveal its ambition to set another record with its newest release.

“We will do our best to earn the title ‘quadruple million seller’,” said Kai during the press event in Seoul on July 18. “We’ve already been successful with our albums three times, so why not four times?” he added.

Kai at the press event (Photo from Yonhap)

It is indeed possible. After all three of its full-length album sold over one million copies, a “quadruple million seller” feat is not impossible for the boy group who stormed major music streaming charts in South Korea and conquered iTunes charts of 37 countries with title track “Ko Ko Bop” and album The War.

EXO’s fourth studio album has also reached 800,000 copies in pre-order, according to SM Entertainment. This beats out the previous record of 660,000 copies pre-ordered set by its third studio album EX’ACT.

The music video for “Ko Ko Bop” has also reached over ten million views. As with its previous music video releases, there is an expectation for it to reach 100 million views. If it happens, “Ko Ko Bop” will be the sixth music video of EXO to achieve such feat. The music videos for “Growl”, “Overdose”, “Call Me Baby”, “Monster” and “Wolf” have garnered more than 100 million views on YouTube.

An Album with a Message

The War contains nine tracks namely “The Eve”, “Ko Ko Bop”, “What U Do?”, “Forever”, “Diamond”, “Touch It”, “Chill”, “Walk On Memories” and “Going Crazy”. The album features tropical-tinged reggae-electronic dance music hybrid, as well as mid-tempo electro pop songs.

Baekhyun admitted that working on the title song was a “big challenge” as it is a genre that is different from their previous releases. In “Ko Ko Bop”, EXO took on reggae and EDM. “Even people who don’t know much about music can naturally feel the bounce while listening to it,” said Baekhyun.

Baekhyun at the press event (Photo from Joy News)

Members Chanyeol, Chen and Baekhyun also participated in the production of the album through lyric writing. “I used my real name Kim Jong-dae as the lyric writer because writing lyrics is (as serious as) learning about life,” Chen said. Chanyeol added that through participation in the production of the album, the members can grow.

Leader Suho expressed his confidence in the album which, according to him, defines the world view of the group. Sehun also explained that the new album focuses on delivering hopeful messages, and to bring the world together through their music is EXO’s ultimate goal.

“This year, many bad things have happened inside and outside of Korea. As a global group, we want to send out a hopeful message through our music,” Sehun said.

EXO’s fourth studio album may be waging war in music charts, but holds hopeful messages. (Photo from SM Entertainment)

The boy group expressed their intention to visit China and reconnect with their Chinese fans. Because of the on-going dispute between South Korea and China after the deployment of US THAAD missile system in their country, Korean entertainers are unable to hold performances in China.

“We haven’t been able to visit Chinese fans for various reasons. We hope to hold concerts in China and make harmony with our fans there if we have opportunity,” said Suho.

A Chinese version of The War was also released. A music video of the Chinese version of “Ko Ko Bop” was uploaded in YouTube.