EXO

boston had so many different foods to offer that i’m mad i couldn’t try them all. i might need to go back and try more. did you find any that you fell in love with?

"Honestly, I feel that. You definitely should go out that way again and try more. Might find some hidden gems there that you will want to go back to as well. I found a few. I hope to go out that way again myself when I tour to try more foods."

alright so i've been gone for a while and just been enjoying time with my husband. i see we have a trip to boston coming up soon and i can't wait for that. what's something you've heard about that's there? i need to immerse myself even if we only have three days. @hfrpstarters

"I mean, that's nice to do especially when you aren't as busy. I'm ready to try the food. I've heard that they have good food in Boston. There are plenty of museums that I feel I'll wanna check out when given the chance."

I've even set up some competitions to encourage it more, and had people coming to my concerts in cosplay and all that stuff, it's so much fun. I get when people are weirded out by it, because it kinda is at first, but I love it. Thanks, man. Definitely will be expecting to see you and the boys there if I come to Korea.

"It sounds fun. I don't think I'd do something like that, haha. Fan love dressing up in outfits that would mesh well with music videos or concepts pictures I've done. I can imagine it's great seeing the fans cosplaying you when performing. I mean it just shows how much they adore you which is great in my eyes. You're welcome. Oh,we'll be sure to be right there cheering you on."

They do the craziest shit, there's so many talented people out there. They're cosplaying as me, they're animating shit, they're coming up with creative dances - all kinds of things. I love scrolling through videos to my songs on TikTok, I could do it for hours and not get bored. Yeah, you guys deserve more freedom - I could never cope even with just an American record company trying to have control over what I do, let alone an idol company. Yeah, I'm really hoping to. I love touring that part of the world.

"I love all that. It's so amazing seeing how talented they are and what they put out. I've seen some kpop fans dress up as idols when they debut and I can only imagine the cringe the idol feels. I bet. I scroll there sometimes and love seeing what the fans come up with. We really do. We don't need to be pushed into a certain mold so much and at times it's so hard to keep up the facade at times. It's definitely not for everyone and I know people have left being an idol due to the all the restrictions. Crossing my fingers for you. I know everyone in East Asia would enjoy seeing you there."

it's just a really nice idea to have a family to call your own. i'll keep my fingers crossed that we both get there one day. your company? tell me more about this. oh? what was stopping you from doing things before?

"I am as well. We both deserve that so hoping life lets it happen for us and doesn't make us too busy. I decided for my solo activities, I made my own company to do more which has been nice. It's usually the company I'm under for my group. I feel they aren't dong enough for us at times so there's a lack of new content from us a lot."

Right and everything is under a microscope and being watched. I miss being carefree but I don’t think I ever was with how I grew up. Adulting sucks sometimes.

"It really is and it sucks that you can't do anything without everyone's eyes being on you. I miss that feeling and not having to worry too much about what was going on. It really does. Adulting has too much going on for it and I wish we didn't have to do it at all."

That's one thing I don't have as much, choreo to songs. Well, there's a couple, like the one I did with Smosh, but otherwise, I just like seeing what other people come up with, and it's crazy. But also since my music is pretty memeable sometimes, people seem to like doing skits and shit to my songs, instead of just vibing. Which is cool, too. I guess that allows for a little more creativity to get your point across, which can be fun, but yeah any kinda restriction on what you wanna do is a major bummer. I'd love that! I'm doing some shows in Europe over the next couple months. Hopefully doing some shows in Oz/NZ and east Asia soon. I'll keep you updated.

"I mean not everyone does but the fans for sure come up with some cool choreo of their own for songs that don't have it. It always leaves me in awe. Oh, I can imagine they do. Your fans just seem to be super creative when it comes to your songs so it makes me wanna see the skits they do to your songs. It really does plus then no one knows it's sexual unless they really look into the song. It really is. I feel that's why a lot of idols go off to be solo and apart of their own companies so they have more freedom with what they do. Hopefully you do shows in East Asia soon! I'd be able to catch a show to one of those dates much easier."

biggest goal? hm. i feel like this is a bit of a lame answer but i think my biggest goal is to start a family of my own one day. i've already hit all my careers goals so now all that's left are the personal ones. what's yours? nah, mine's fake too. i think we all put on an image when we're on stage or in front of a camera. helps the nerves, i think.

"I don't think that's a lame answer at all. Honestly, I feel I wanna do that myself down the line whenever I have the chance. For me, I feel I'd love to do more with my company as well as with my group members. Feel with how things are going, we can do so much more now than we could before. That's true but I feel some fans can see past that persona and expect me to act the way I am on stage."

oh tell me about it because it's like if you pick the wrong toilet paper it's like now all the little things count as an adult. i agree.

"Every little thing matters now. Like you can't just be carefree with everything like before. You gotta think of everything as an adult. It sucks honestly."

Thank you, you're very sweet to say that! I don't know though, part of me is curious about doing the whole solo thing, especially since so many people do it. But then I'm slightly nervous about doing things without my girls, you know? Acting would be kind of cool though, could you see me being part of a K-drama? Though you're kind to say you'd think I'd do good with acting, that might give me the boost I need! I'm laughing a little bit because convincing SM on anything is rather difficult, isn't it? Sometimes I'm curious what it would be like to be part of a new company, not going to lie. Maybe one not so strict would be the dream!

"You're welcome! I mean I get that. Doing music solo feels so different than having your group right there with you. Though I know the girls would send you all the support possible. I could! You could easily be apart of a K-drama and I'm sure your fans would love it as well. I'm glad I was able to do that though I'm just being honest here. SM doesn't seem to want to hear what we wanna do so I know it would take a whole army just to convince them. One that is less strict would be great or even having one of your own. I enjoy running my own company and getting to do things that I couldn't with SM."

you aren't the first person to tell me that, and i'll be honest some days i wish i was shorter. it's a lot harder getting in and out of vehicles, having to duck through some door ways— i can say with confidence that it has it's advantages and disadvantages. i'll be honest i've just been spending time with my girl. i'm taking things a lot easier these days. what about you?

"I get that. I know I idolize being tall but it does have disadvantages. Especially if you have a room that the ceiling is a bit lower in. I guess I'll be content with my height, haha. Just doing a mix of relaxing and working away on my own stuff. Waiting to do music with my group members until our last member is back with us again."

I like that, I'm totally the same. Love listening to new music, especially if it's something that's trending on TikTok or something, it's good to know what other people like and why. Yeah, that's so weird, like why would you wanna encourage sexual dancing, but not let you sing about it? The best combo is both. I'm on tour all over the US right now, ending in LA on the 21st of the month. So if you're able to make a show, I'd love to have you, dude.

"I get that for sure. It's always cool seeing what people like that ends up trending. Plus I do love seeing people making dances to songs or doing the already created choreo for the song. It's odd. I think the only way some idols have talked about it has been with using different words to not outright talk about anything sexual. The industry here just seems to be more strict with that. I got a bit caught up with things and missed out. Maybe another time down the line when you tour again, I can be there."

exactly, the most you had to worry about was getting dirty while outside playing. i wish we could go back to being kids too life was so smooth.

"And now we gotta worry about every little thing possible instead of just living carefree. I feel that. I definitely would be better if we could do so. It was a similar time as a child."

"Wait a minute, I know you're not saying that you feel old at twenty-one. I know we're not about to have this conversation when I'm turning thirty-three next month. Maybe we should bring you in for some idol training, hitting the clubs will feel like nothing after those moments trust me on that. I'm just teasing you, for the record. I just thought it was funny since when I debuted you were still in elementary school."

you aren't the first person to tell me that, and i'll be honest some days i wish i was shorter. it's a lot harder getting in and out of vehicles, having to duck through some door ways— i can say with confidence that it has it's advantages and disadvantages. i'll be honest i've just been spending time with my girl. i'm taking things a lot easier these days. what about you?

"Have you ever been to Korea? I only ask because some of our doorways are short and even the ceilings are, so I would actually pay to see that. Not that you're a sideshow or anything, I just think it would be interesting to see the different cultures collide. Not that everyone here is short, most of us are average. It's just that most of our doorways max like.. 5'10 at most. I will be your personal tour guide if you do decide you want to check things out."