For me, EXO are one of K-pop’s most important pillars. Their discography often represents the very best of the industry. But if I’m being honest, very little of the members’ solo work has captured my attention. No member has capitalized on the “EXO sound,” choosing instead to pursue different genres and largely forgo the bombast associated with their group. Because of this, I’m delighted to hear a bit of EXO flair in Xiumin’s new solo single Overdrop.
Much of Overdrop feels like a less-developed Love Shot, even falling into a drop-style chorus. But as we move toward its climax, the song delivers a surprising sucker punch. Electric guitar joins the mix for an exciting finale that completely elevates the track. I’m not sure why we couldn’t have more of this sooner, but I’m happy Overdrop at least makes an effort to build to some sort of high point. Too few K-pop songs do these days.
Sadly, there’s a lot to slog through before we hit this climax. Overdrop‘s verses and chorus feel obligatory rather than thrilling, unveiling a series of dull melodies supported by solid-but-unremarkable production. I’m beyond sick of the bass guitar anti-drop approach in K-pop choruses and this segment isn’t long enough to make any notable mark. Thank goodness there’s payoff at the end of Overdrop, but I’m wondering if listeners will stick around long enough to hear it.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
“No member has capitalized on the “EXO sound,” choosing instead to pursue different genres and largely forgo the bombast associated with their group”.
I completely agree, and what I’m asking in return is: has any of them ever sung something they were actually keen on, or none of them is singing anything they are actually keen on right now as solo artists?
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Kamenashi Kazuya from KAT-TUN is on Spotify… Including Emerald, Wonderful World, 1582, and Pure Ice.
I’ve been listening purely to kattun for months at this point so I’ve not been following the blog and you might already know but I still figured I’d share
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te o nobase (aka one of my fav kame songs) is there too ❤
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I’m so sorry to have to say this that this song is really just a complete mess, it’s just awful.
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I mean, technically the purpose of members going solo is to pursue other sounds outside of what their group is known for 😅 but as a devout EXO-L, i love this lol the B-side is also nice too
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i just appreciate the variety we’ve gotten so far, i feel like no two EXO members have the same discography which is how it should be 🙂
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It’s fine. I mean it’s fine. It’s just not leading man material, the song, the production, the performance. It even shows in the video where there is a phalanx of backup dancers, because they just have to be there to fill up space because his presence is just not enough.
Here is a recent example of Leading Man, How it is Done. JaeJoong Rhapsody”. ex-TVXQ, for the kids info here. (Side note – the kid in me has always loved how his name is written in Japanese.) He owns the song. He owns the performance with no dance required at all, just moody shots on sets. I bet he picked out his own clothes too, like Imma gonna wear this. He is fully present, and how. (Also, looking mighty fine for 39 years old.)
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You said a lot and said nothing at the same time… The only thing you were specific about, it was him having backup dancers, suddenly that supposed to be a bad thing? I check-out JaeJoong’s Rhapsody, I thought it was going to be a Farina vs Fariana, where she did all the work with her charisma or something like an amazing session on Tiny desk/COLORS were artist keep you watching just with their talent and charisma but It was him with a bunch of people (band), effects and production to fill up the space for him. All of that is ok, not everyone has the charisma OR they need more than just them for creative reasons, of course there is more room to explore in dance (i.e. formatioms) that don’t work with a person or a vibe that is not possible without a band, effects, camerawork, etc, all of that add to the final product and it isn’t a bad thing per se.
I’m not saying it’s the masterpiece of the year but trying to put somebody works down BECAUSE they danced and had backup darcers sounds like your hating for the sake of hate, especially, when your example of a “leading man material” (that was never the topic) is a person pulling all the tricks to fill up the space with every trick known instead of doing it just with his presence. Now if you have something to say about the production/performance besides “he danced and have backup dancers, buhhh 👎” that would have sense.
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You said a lot and said nothing at the same time… The only thing you were specific about, it was him having backup dance.
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It’s fine, definitely something to hold me over among other EXO solos and group songs until their December comeback.
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