K-pop idol group EXO will revive the K-pop from the 1990s in an upcoming TV show.
The 11-member group will shed new light on first-generation K-pop by reinterpreting once-trendy tunes in a more contemporary perspective on Mnet’s entertainment program “EXO 902014.”
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The EXO members, who were all born in the early 1990s, will look into the nostalgic music and trigger vivid recollections for those in their 30s and 40s who grew up with first-generation idols such as H.O.T, g.o.d and Seo Taiji.
“I wanted to bring back past memories and help the different generations better communicate through music,” the program producer Jung Yoo-jin said at a press conference on Monday.
In the show, EXO will partner up with a slew of popular artists and remake their songs and music videos, aiming to narrow the generational gap.
“I have been interested in the music of senior singers. I think that being part of this program will be a crucial opportunity for us to learn music,” EXO leader Suho told the reporters.
For the young Chinese members, songs of the senior singers can be quite new. Asked whether they felt unfamiliar with it, Tao confessed that he didn’t know much about it.
“I don‘t know about the Korean music from the ’90s. ... But I listened to it while shooting the program and thought it was good. I am learning now. ... I am sorry (that I don’t know much...),” Tao added, drawing laughs from the reporters and fellow members.
The show host Jun Hyun-moo said that he discovered enthusiastic sides of EXO while shooting the program.
“EXO members must have some songs they don’t know from the ’90s. But they showed genuine interests and great passion in the music and tried to learn from it,” Jun said, labeling EXO as a “hard-working band.”
The memory-stirring entertainment show is scheduled to air at 10 p.m. every Friday on Mnet from Aug. 15.
By Ock Hyun-ju (
laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)
