EXO is a Sino-Korean group released in 2012 by SM Entertainment. The group originally consisted of 12 members, eight Koreans and four Chinese, and is divided into EXO-K, which operates in Korea and EXO-M, originally created to cover the Chinese market and sings in Mandarin. The proposal was to promote the EXO simultaneously in Korea and China with the same songs as a group of dual nationality.

In 2014 two members (Kris and Luhan) left SM Entertainment and consequently the group. In 2015 Tao also gone. The new composition is:

EXO-K: suho (JunMyeon, leader), Baekhyun, ChanYeol, DO (KyungSoo), Kai (JongIn) and Sehun (maknae).

EXO-M: Xiumin (MinSeok), Lay (Yixing) and Chen (JongDae), two Koreans and a Chinese.

In early 2011, SM Entertainment announced plans for the opening of a new business group, nicknamed at the time of M1. A photo of M1 was eventually leaked later on Weibo, showing 7 members (we can see Luhan, Kai, Sehun, Kris ...), which made Internet users believe that this would be the final training.

Back in May of the same year, Lee Sooman, representative of SM, spoke about the group's separation strategy into two units in a business seminar at Stanford University, explains its goal to reach the Korean market and the Chinese from a group dynamic which would cover both markets to promote with songs in Korean and Mandarin. Thus, in addition to M1, M2 has come

Various dates have been speculated to debut M1 and M2, but this was increasingly delayed. Until the end of December, SM Entertainment updated its official website with a clock counting down 24 hours for the world know the EX. The picture does not show much, just a picture of space with "FROM.EXO PLANET" written, which means "the planet EXO" or "exoplanet", marking the official group name as EXO and divisions as EXO-K and EX-F.

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December 21, 2011: Beginning of the era of teasers

In late December, the EXO started something that has never happened before in K-pop: a series of videos prior to the debut of a group.

The first teaser, filed on December 21, starring the member Kai dancing to the song My Lady. The official sites EX and EX-K-M were also open on the same day, confirming the theory that would be two groups derived from a. At the time did not know much, and the main doubts were the real name of Kai (Kim JongIn) and My Lady was sung by him.

A total of 23 teasers, starting on December 21, 2011 and ending on March 1, 2012. The composition was varied, some videos were half of a song sung by EXO (as Into Your World / Angel in the teaser 9, What is Love the teasers 13:14, Two Moons in the 12th and Baby Do not Cry in the teaser 21), some had instrumental music we would know later in the album XOXO (as the instrumental of the Black Pearl teaser 8) and others had any samples which is easily online (such as music used in the teaser 20).

In order, the 12 members were presented in the following teasers:

Kai on teasers 1 (My Lady), Luhan on the 2nd (Time Control), Tao on the 3rd (Metal), Sehun on the 7th (Run & Gun) Lay on the 10th (Phoenix), Xiumin on the 11th (Let Out The Beast), DO and suho on the 16th (Reflection), Kris on the 17th (Into Your World / Angel), Chen and Baekhyun in 19 (Beautiful) and ChanYeol in 20 (El Dorado). See all the teasers here.

.In December 29, 2011, it was presented at the SBS Gayo Daejun¹ the station SM Orchestra performance - The sound of Hallyu², with members of all SM Entertainment groups in dance performances, singing and instrumental. Took part members of Super Junior, f (x), The TRAX, SNSD, DBSK, and especially Chen Kai, Luhan and Tao EXO.

Kai Luhan and participated in dance performances with members of Super Junior and SHINee, both later singing briefly. Tao presented his skills in Wushu and Chen sang in Korean. In fact, many fans even joked that "Chen had a 23 seconds teaser in Gayo Daejun" because in all 23 teasers and dozens of photos, JongDae did not have much prominence.

¹Nos last three days of the year, some of the largest emitters of Korea (MNET, SBS, MBC and KBS) make a super special New Year which features performances of promotional music and special performances of the most popular artists in the K-pop (as well as rookies who stood out). The SM, as the largest company in the Korean musical entertainment, always has benefits, and in 2011 it was shown by SM Orchestra.

Besides the series of teasers, the EXO's debut also featured the novelty of two prologues singles.

What is Love was launched online on January 30 in Korean music sites, Chinese and iTunes. The song was produced by Teddy Riley, Yoo YoungJin, DOM and Richard Garcia. It was written in Korean by Yoo YoungJin and sung by Baekhyun and DO, and was written in Mandarin by Han Kilin and sung by Chen and Luhan. The intention obviously was to present the main vocalists of the group, so they just sang.

History was launched on March 8, also online. The song, unlike What is Love, was sung by all members of EXO-K and EXO-M. The production and composition was on account of Thomas Troelsen, Remee Mikkel Sigvardt Jackman and Yoo YoungJin; the letter was written in Mandarin by Liu Yuan and Korean by Yoo YoungJin.

EXO held two special showscases debut, one on March 31 in Korea and the other on April 1 in China. The Korean showcase was hosted by Leeteuk, a member of Super Junior, and had the performance of History, What is Love, part of Baby Do not Cry, Two Moons, Tao in Wushu and MAMA, as well as games and interaction between members and fans.

The mini-album MAMA was released on April 9, with the eponymous title track and songs What is Love, History, Angel (aka Into Your World), Two Moons with the participation of SHINee Key and Machine.
So finally, EXO debuted on April 8, 2012 simultaneously in Korea and China. The EXO-K performed with History and MAMA on Inkigayo while EXO-M presented with MAMA in the 12th Billboard Music Awards.

To The Beautiful You and For You In Full Blossom was a Korean drama that aired in August 2012 on KBS broadcaster. Production was partnered with SM Entertaiment, with several artists of the company. The drama tells the story of Gu JaeHee, played by Sulli of f (x), which passes for kid to get into the same school where his idol Kang TaeJoon, played by SHINee Minho's, study.
EXO had just debuted at the time, and as tactical SM Entertaiment, the boys (except Chen, Xiumin and Tao) made brief appearances in the drama as extras, appearing as students in some scenes.
In late October 2012, SM Entertainment introduced a new special group, called Younique Unit, created in favor of a collaboration of the company with Hyundai. The group consists of members of other SM groups: Luhan and Kai EXO, Girls' Generation's Hyoyeon, Henry Super Junior M, Eunhyuk of Super Junior and SHINee Taemin's.

The Younique Unit sang the maxstep range, launched special mini-album PYL Younique Album Vol.1 (PYL: Premium Younique Lifestyle), which featured three songs: Lookin BoA soloist, My Lifestyle Jessica of Girls' Generation and maxstep.

A brief return to Gayo Daejun 2011: maxstep was the song chosen for Kai dance performance, Taemin and Eunhyuk. Only part of the song featured, as part sung by Eunhyuk and Taemin. At the time no one knew that maxstep would be officially launched.

On May 15, 2013, SM Entertainment confirmed the long awaited comeback of EXO. It was announced that this time the EXO promote united, the 12 members, traveling between Korea and China to perform.

WOLF was the track chosen to be promotional, for all in case of leakage.

If leak?

Yes. In its first comeback, EXO faced a series of leaks, including the complete demo in good quality Korean version of WOLF and 3.6.5 in February (long before the comeback), and then, a few days before album's release, of the ChanYeol rap on Baby Do not Cry and video of the boys rehearsing the performance of WOLF, which, in addition to confirming the deals like 12 and deliver all the choreography, showed the audience how was the final version of music. To crown in May 28 leaked all Kiss version XOXO.

The first teaser WOLF MV was released on May 23, and the two versions of the second teaser were released on the 18th.

The normal version of the MV was presented on May 30, and the drama version (finally) got his first part released on Youtube on 15 June.

XOXO, which has the Kiss version of EXO-K, and Hug version, the EXO-M, was launched official on June 3. The songs chosen for the album were WOLF, Baby Do not Cry, Black Pearl, Do not Go, Let Out The Beast, 3.6.5, Heart Attack, Peter Pan, Baby and My Lady.

Despite all the problems, the album reached incredible brands: 300,000 copies were sold only in presale six days (!). WOLF much as the album took first place in several Korean and Chinese charts, also managing to stay at No. 1 on the weekly Billboard chart of the world. With 112,435 copies sold only in the first week, XOXO hit the best-selling album ever in a week in Korea, remember that previously belonged to the group DBSK, the same company EXO, with Mirotic album released in 2008. Between June and July, all programs where the EXO participated achieved high ratings, including radio the like Sukira (Super Junior Kiss The Radio) that had the server of your overloaded website with thousands of hits and more than 100,000 messages, as much as Sukira the broadcaster of a radio program has received.

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14, 15, 16 and 19 June 2013: 1st win and several wins in a row

On June 14, 2013, EXO got his first victory in Korean music programs, ahead of more experienced groups. The group performed with an introduction and WOLF in the program Music Bank KBS broadcaster, which calculates the winner of the day with 65% for the number of digital sales, 15% for the number of physical sales, 20% account for the number of times the song was played in the programs of KBS and 10% for the public vote.

The second victory came on 15 June at the MBC Music Core. The third took place on the 16th at SBS Inkigayo and the fourth win was on June 19 in Show Champion MBC. All programs follow the same line to calculate the score of the artist, always mainly based on online sales.

In late November 2013 SM Entertainment announced a new mini-album EXO. The special winter EP was called Miracles In December and contained six tracks: Miracles In December, Christmas Day, The Star, My Turn To Cry, The First Snow and Miracles In December (Classical Orchestra). The promotional song of the time was Miracles In December, later followed by Christmas Day.

Confusion at the time was given to the fact that the Korean version of Miracles In December be sung by Baekhyun, Chen and DO and the Chinese by Baekhyun, Chen and Luhan, which made many fans think that sub-groups were being created, already SM that other groups have units with the main vocalists. At the end the company denied the rumor and promotions followed with the four until Christmas Day began to be performed on the twelve in Korea.

The EP was released in was also record sales, with 400,000 copies sold only in the pre-sale, and then another 200,000 in the early days. Adding MID sales with XOXO, EXO ended the year with more than 1.5 million albums sold.

In early April the SM released information about the new EXO comeback, this time with the mini-album Overdose. The album would be released on May 7, containing the tracks Overdose, Moonlight, Run, Thunder and Love Love Love.

At the same time the group has received much attention for having made five consecutive mini-concerts in Japan, although they have not officially debuted in the country, attracting more than 100,000 fans to EXO Greeting Party in Japan'Hello! '.

The first performance overdose would happen on April 15 in the EXO Comeback Show, an event held by SM in partnership with Samsung, however, as well as in XOXO, five days before a recorded video for the Show Champion program was leaked on Youtube showing a group of test and revealing the promotional track and whole choreography. SM announced that it would take legal action against the person who posted the video.

In the middle of May Sina, a Chinese website, reported that Kris was asking for contract termination with SM, and the company confirmed the intentions member a day later. It was a shock to the fandom, as the EXO's career was taking off. Kris claimed that his contract was abusive and unfair, he had to do unforeseen things and that the company would not let him go away promotions for health reasons, which made him develop a kidney problem.

The company claimed to be surprised by the charges and would collaborate with the Seoul court to ascertain the truth. Some EXO members also expressed on social networks in general against Kris action. Promotions overdose usually followed.

But the year was not over. In early October the SM reported that Luhan would not participate in two shows of SMTown, claiming that the member was physically worn out due to tour EXO FROM PLANET # 1 - The Lost Planet. However, on October 9, Sina reported that Luhan had opened a process to achieve the end of his contract with the company. Some of the causes that the member is alleged that there was discrimination in the treatment of Chinese and Korean, also faced health problems due to physical wear and psychologist, and that SM had no plans to develop his career.

.In April to SM confirmed information on the first tour of EXO, EXO EXO FROM PLANET # 1 - The Lost Planet, which had the first two shows in Seoul with 11 members because Luhan attended the concert to ask for termination of the contract. Tickets for the performances in Korea sold out in just a few minutes. The tour had a total of 31 shows in eight Asian countries, and 9 only in Japan.

Finally to end the year, EXO has released the first live album of the group, referring to The Lost Planet, called EXOLOGY Chapter 1. The album was divided into two CDs that together add up to 36 songs, including the December, 2014 (The Winter 's Tale), the promotional track that was sung in Korean music programs.

Despite all the problems, 2014 was a productive year in question dramas and movies, both for the current members and for the former. THE Cart acted in the film and drama It's Ok, That's Love. Suho participated in two episodes of Prime Minister And I drama, and along with Xiumin served on the first musical hologram in the world, School Oz. Baekhyun starred in the musical Singin' In The Rain with other SM artists.

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March 2015: More performance, Exodus, EXO From. Exoplanet # 2 - The EXO'luXion

2015 began with some movie releases. Luhan estrou in theaters with 20 and 12 Once Again Golden Ducks. Kris was protagonist of the film Somewhere Only We Know, and ChanYeol acted in his first film, JangSoo Store.

Due to the activities of the former members, SM Entertainment has sued the two to continue with the activities. A month later Luhan was confirmed for his first Hollywood movie, The Great Wall.

In March came the second tour of EXO, called EXO FROM PLANET # 2 - EXO'luXion, in a total of five days of shows only in Seoul. Despite the comeback have official date set for March 30, the group sang the nine new tracks on the album Call Me Baby, minus the promotional song of the same name, which was presented as a VCR.

The ten songs are: Call Me Baby, Transformer, What If, My Answer, Exodus, El Dorado, Playboy, Hurt, Lady Luck and Beautiful.

On March 18, the SM started the dissemination of teasers from EXODUS, starring the members in different parts of the world showing his powers.
When the teasers were released, fans had to discover the xaradas response in EXO site to access the content. The tips were given by the official Twitter,PathcodeEXO, at the end of all teasers presentou fans with a song that was available for only 10 hours.

The album Exodus and the MV Call Me Baby was launched on 30

During the promotion for Call Me Baby Tao stopped perform. The rapper had an ankle injury and could not recover as needed dance. Tao posted on social media messages such as "I will improve" and "It hurts but I still want to dance. I let them down by today's performance. I will listen and improve. "
But Tao did not return. On April 22, his father released a letter and an interview with Sina, in which expressed his desire that his son nulificasse the exclusive contract with SM, since according to him, the priority was the health of Tao, the son already I was in high-risk programs, had an ankle injury and that SM had no plans for the development of his career. Following this, on 26 Tao posted a message on Weibo saying, "Sorry. Grateful. "

The weather was a bit tense because Lay missed some performances in the middle of promotions, and EXO performava only 8 Korean members.

During May to SM stated that "It can not be confirmed if Tao stay or go. Negotiations are still going on, "and then confirmed he would not attend the revamped version of the album. In July the company withdrew his name as an official member of Facebook EXO-M.

On July 23, Tao debuted as a soloist in China under the name Z.Tao. The SM blocked the MV teaser based on copyright.
On August 28, Tao officially filed a lawsuit asking for nullification of the exclusive contract with SM. On September 22, the SM sued the rapper in the court of Beijing for "illegal activities such as celebrity" and the agency that produced your album, and on 23 the Tao studio officially responded.
EXO released Love Me Right, the revamped version of Call Me Baby, on June 3, and the concept of MV was Alice in Wonderland. The album included four new songs: Love Me Right, Tender Love, First Love (which had already been launched for 10 hours) and EXO 2014 (Promise), which was made in two versions for Lay, ChanYeol and Chen.

Lay was heavily criticized and received a considerable amount of hate some fans because he had not fully participated in the promotion of Call Me Baby, lacking in some performances because of activities in China, and when he returned to promote Love Me Right he was asked several times, directly or indirectly, I would leave the group.
On September 16, more information was released, and it was confirmed that would debut group in a mini-album, released on November 04, with four tracks: Love me right - Romantic Universe, Drop That, Love Me Right - Romantic Universe (Less vocals) and Drop That (Less Vocal).