Anneke R Hardianto

EXO NEXT DOOR: Oh Sehun of Unexpected How would it feel like to have EXO living (your) next door? What if you can meet them by chance and fall in love with them? 

‘EXO NEXT DOOR’ has started its ambitious broadcast with a title that is filled with all these fantasies of EXO fans. The interesting is that the person who catches the most attention in this web-drama is not the soft heroine Yeonhee (Moon Gayoung), not the ‘Tsundere’ Chanyeol, not the typical sweetheart boy D.O., not Baekhyun who showed off his sweet voice through the OST, but Sehun. Of course, Sehun is a member who cannot help but to stand out with his height and the face that is of like a statue, but relatively he wasn’t really a member who took a large part on stages or on tv shows (broadcasts). He, who is like that, has grabbed everyone’s attention with appraisals such as “(I) didn’t know he was this great at acting” from this web-drama. Actually, ‘EXO NEXT DOOR’ in some ways have more unrealistic points than fantasies. In the development, it is hard to find probability and the heroine is more like a character who is standing between the line of a stalker and ‘a girl who causes nuisance’ rather than an EXO fan. Even if you take into an account that this is a web-drama lead by idols, there are already so many problems even before that. Sehun definitely stands out with his appearances throughout ‘EXO NEXT DOOR’, giving us calm entertainments.

As if my own little brother, Oh Sehun’s natural acting who acts Oh Sehun

Sehun’s charm in ‘EXO NEXT DOOR’ comes from the naturalness that feels like it can be found around you so easily. Sehun’s face and body are overly unrealistic, but the way he acts and his attitudes are just so realistic. Such gap between the two entertains the viewers. From undone hair, those eyes that won’t open even though he got up, and to the figure who walks away towards the ‘good smell’ while his hands are shoved in the pockets of his tracksuit. Those images are Sehun’s, but the actions depict of those younger brothers in the mornings of the weekends for sure. Besides this, Sehun’s natural, realistic acting shines throughout every scene. Sehun heading straight to the sofa to lie down as soon as he gets home, seems even more natural under the explosive situation where Chanyeol yells at Yeonhee. He (Sehun) has also done a smooth job for the scene that could have been seen as deliberate, when he was turning his head towards the back while saying that he’s bored with his hands on the sofa.

Sehun’s ‘Attention Snatching’, (is) not because of his face

Sehun certainly is a person who stands forth even just with his existence itself. However, Sehun in ‘EXO NEXT DOOR’ snatches attention in a way that is a bit different. In the end of episode 1 and the start of episode 2, Yeonhee drinks water when she chokes on rice cakes and spits water at Chanyeol, who was standing at the very front, as she gets surprised at seeing EXO who suddenly appeared. At this moment, Sehun suppresses his laughter between D.O. and Baekhyun who are opening their eyes wide. This is the moment that attracts the crowd as Sehun’s personality reveals. He has also grabbed attention with him sleeping as he was scolded by the members when he was complaining like “There’s no bed!” at the beginning of episode 2. The way he seemed like a caterpillar buried in his yellow sleeping bag presented pitifulness. In episode 3, Sehun explores around the house, while wearing sunglasses, as if he’s moonwalking. This funny scene joins with Yeonhee’s younger brother, Kwangsoo (Jang Yoosang)’s strange behaviours and therefore it gives off a synergy effect for laughter.

’Scene Stealer’ Sehun’s crucial word

A ‘Scene Stealer’ stands for a supporting actor in movies or dramas who captivates the ‘scene’ with his excellent acting skills or unique charm. Sehun in ‘EXO NEXT DOOR’ is also serving his role greatly as the ‘Scene Stealer’. Particularly, if you think about the words one by one, spat out by Sehun the character, it is often the case that those are the words that remain in one’s memory the most from the drama. Sehun’s distinctive pronunciation that ends somewhere between ‘요 (-yo)’ and ‘여 (-yeo)’ is also a key point. “Are there many pretty girls?” The first thing Sehun asked during the video call with Kai. The awkwardness of Kai on the video has somehow given reality to the scene. (episode 2) “When did you even prepare for this? Just because you (the members) did this, I’m moved. So very moved.” The words which Sehun said to the members while having breakfast. It proved that you need to listen untill the end to know the true meaning behind Korean. (episode 3) “Ah hyung, what do you mean by hometown*. Is it dumplings**? Ugh this oldie.” The words that ‘dissed’ Chanyeol, who was asking Yeonhee’s hometown all of sudden, while being quite courageous. Though it seems like Sehun is the one who likes the address term ‘인천댁’*** the most. (episode 6)

(*The word used for hometown is ‘고향’, which young people nowadays hardly use when asking where someone’s from. It’s a rather old-fashioned term imo.) (**There’s instant dumplings in Korea named ‘고향만두’, obviously Sehun was joking around with the word 고향) (*** ‘인천’ is Incheon, an area in Korea and ‘~댁’.. to put it simply, was just a way to refer women by attaching the name of the area where they lived in. This is also hardly used these days as far as I know.)

’EXO NEXT DOOR’ The best one minute, The Friend Compact

Sehun playing an active part in the drama up until now, compared to this scene, is just like a normal coffee*. Sehun, who walked out of the house wearing sunglasses as he wanted to drink drip coffee, encounters Yeonhee’s brother, Kwangsoo. Sehun even had the thought of initiating a conversation with Kwangsoo, who was fighting desperately with some clothes hanger, Sehun then asks Kwangsoo where he would be able to find a coffee shop that sells something like drip coffee. However, Kwangsoo the eccentric makes real coffee by grinding coffee beans using millstone, instead of telling Sehun the location of a coffee shop. Sehun, who was deeply moved by the ‘millstone coffee’ says “Hey friend, let us get along very well (for real).” and hugs Kwangsoo. It is the moment when ‘The Legendary Friend Compact’ was entered. This scene is the passage for where the charm of Sehun and his natural acting skills all appear. The words he says with his unique accent, every one of them are so vibrant. The way he is sitting down at the tent and shyly gathering his legs are way too natural. The moment when Sehun screams for his friend with a satisfied look on his face after tasting the coffee, and the scene where Sehun hugs Kwangsoo while not being able to control his emotions are the best one minute of ‘EXO NEXT DOOR’.

(*This was a slogan for T.O.P coffee advertisement in Korea, “If this is just a normal coffee, then this is T.O.P.”, emphasising that T.O.P coffee is like.. beyond the level of ’normal’ coffee.)

150623 Choi Hwa Jung Power Time radio

A fan sent a message to CHJ radio and asked if EXO could to the ‘I dreamt, I dreamt about ghosts’ aegyo. CHJ told EXO about this and they practiced really hard. CHJ asked if CY, Chen and SH have a lot of aegyo, Chen said Sehun does and CHJ said Sehun would be the last to show his ‘ghost aegyo’ since he is the best at it.

Chanyeol: There’s a popular term among fans, it’s called “세업찬”. (Chanyeol raised Sehun) Sehun: …did you raise me? CY: ………… SH: Ok. Let’s just say that you raised me. Yeah~ CHEN: Do it nicely~ CY: I raised him by slapping his butt. SH: You? Raised me? CHJ: You were close since childhood right? SH: No.

When asked about any interesting moment in Thailand

Chanyeol said he and Sehun went to get massages. Chanyeol said he find it a bit painful and Sehun seemed to enjoy the massage. CY said when he was getting a massage, he was expressing the pain but the masseur thought he was laughing(ticklish or something lol) and continued massaging him. Since CY doesn’t know Thai, he tried to communicate in English but the masseur didn’t understand him so in the end he just endured the pain.

Sehun asked Chen why he didn’t go with them and how it was sad because he wanted to enjoy and talk with his Chen hyung. Chen said he was very tired at that time and was a bit lazy to move.

♡

When asked to choose who they want to go on a vacation with:

Chanyeol chose Sehun. He said he wants to play with Sehun like what they did during the old times, and since they are both hyper they would have a really fun time even if they have to go at a deserted island.

Sehun said he wanted to spend time with Chen. He said Chen is really sweet and takes care of him well. He also said if he’d go on a holiday vacation he would also like to go with Suho.

Chen chose Xiumin as the member he wants to go on a vacation with. He said going with Sehun would be really fun, too, but at the same time it will be tiresome because he has to look after Sehun.

♡

When asked who reply to text messages the fastest:

Chanyeol said it’s probably him since he always has his phone in his hands. He said in their group chat, the members who always talk and joke around are Baekhyun, Sehun and him. Lay and Kyungsoo talk/chat only if they have something important to say. Suho replies to messages, too. CY said he isn’t sure if Kai doesn’t read their message or if he reads but does not reply coz Kai checks his phone like only every 6 hours or so…Sehun said since Kai doesn’t reply that much, sometimes he’s worried if Kai was still alive or not.

(Oh my god Sehun idk anymore LMAO) ♡

When asked who was the last person (from SM) they texted with:

Sehun said the last person he texted was SuJu’s Donghae. CHJ asked what was SH’s text message to Donghae. Sehun said that he texted DH that he misses him and that they should hang out with each other soon.

*cries*SeHae*cries*

 When asked about the last song they downloaded:

SEHUN: I really like “Lay It Down” by Lloyd. I really enjoy listening to this song but minors should not listen to this.

(i searched the lyrics and i puked rainbows, oh sehun you lil —- i’m so done)

SOHU Interview - (Sehun’s parts only) 

Q: Which song/performance do you think is the hardest? 

SEHUN: When it comes to complex choreography, I think the hardest song is 《MAMA》. 

 Q: What Chinese food is a must-eat for you? 

SEHUN: I like Kung Pao chicken as well as huo guo (hot pot). 

 Q: Who among the members studies Chinese and shows great improvement? 

CHANYEOL: Sehunnie~ Sehunnie~ 

CHEN: Wu ShiXun~ (Sehun’s Chinese name) 

SUHO: Sehun can’t even pronounce his name (吴世勋) before. 

CHANYEOL: That’s right 

D.O.: But now Sehun even communicates with the fans, greeting them in full Chinese during concerts and events. I’m really surprised. 

CHANYEOL: Sehun studies really hard even when we are at hotels, so hard that when you walk into the hotel room you could see him with lots of papers spread around. Although, I don’t know if he’s really studying.. 

SUHO: It’s somehow sad(?) that Sehun had been holding the same paper for a few months now. 

CHANYEOL: Don’t be mean to him, he’s studying really hard~ 

SUHO: I was about to add that Sehun had been going over the lessons and is definitely working hard. 

 Q: (To Sehun) Can you show/say something in Chinese? 

SEHUN: *immediately understands the question even without the help of translator noona* 

EXO: woooaaaaahhhhhh~~~ 

BAEKHYUN: What will you do? 

SUHO: Something like “bobo chu” (aegyo kiss)? 

SEHUN: No~ Is “么么哒” okay? (me me da; pronounced as mo mo da; something like “mwuahh~”) [And he did it (＾་།＾) I’m dead] (here)

SUHO: It’s similar to “bobo chu~" 

EXO: *they all laughed at Sehun’s aegyo* 

SEHUN: ahhh~ why are you all like this~~ 

Regarding his SNS / Weibo (Chinese platform kinda like Twitter) 

SEHUN: Sometimes I check comments on my SNS account, especially when I’m bored. Yeah.. 

EXO: (Your) Weibo~ Weibo~ 

SEHUN: Regarding Weibo… Weibo is an SNS mainly for Chinese fans. I made a weibo account I few months ago so I could communicate with the fans more. I post pictures in Weibo along with some words in Chinese, although my words are really simple/short. 

Trans: oshxciv​

This year in April, EXO released their second album 《EXODUS》 with their title track 《CALL ME BABY》 which swept Korean music program’s charts with 18 wins, surpassing their record for their song 《GROWL》; this month of June, they released a repackage album 《LOVE ME RIGHT》, total sales of both albums exceeded 1 million, it’s been 3 years since they debuted and (for the second time) EXO became a million-seller group again, the “hallyu wave” was once again proven! Their second tour “EXO PLANET #2 -The EXO’luXion-” stop in Shanghai officially started at the end of May, 30th and 31st, all members were in Shanghai because of schedules and at the same time they started their promotions for 《LOVE ME RIGHT》 in South Korea, their schedule is tightly packed.

In such a fully-packed schedule, our fox (Sohu TV haha) did all we could to score an exclusive interview with EXO, except for Lay who wasn’t able to attend because of his personal schedule, acting, variety, dance, food, slimming, some Chinese test with questions and answers; Baekhyun sang 《EXO NEXT DOOR》 OST live, “No. 1 Cassiopeia” Xiumin sent his blessings to TVXQ Yunho who is about to enlist, Sehun showed “么么哒” (aegyo) combined with a flying kiss; the cute and handsome EXO came, something EXO-Ls definitely don’t want to miss!

Second album title track 《CALL ME BABY》 surpassed 《GROWL》; Xiumin shyly expressed his gratitude

When the interview started, EXO members kept on telling 大哥 (eldest hyung) to answer the questions, shy Xiumin kept on twisting and turning, a bit embarrassed but still cute, when asked how he feels that their song is getting good results, he said: “Of course we’re happy!”. He turned to the other members and asked “What to say next?”. Leader Suho continued: “Thank you to Korean, Chinese and all of our fans, without you we wouldn’t be able to achieve this success!”

EXO also had a fan meet event in Japan, they also just started promoting for their comeback and because they missed some music shows in Korea, they didn’t expect to top the week’s music chart and even get their first win since comeback. Xiumin was once again appointed to say something, he shyly said: “Thank you everyone”…Leader Suho added that the members were all surprised, and immediately expressed their gratitude towards fans by posting on the official website, he said there are more surprises ready for the fans.

EXO members said that 《WOLF》 is probably the hardest song so far in their 3 years since debut, they recorded eight times before they all got it right.

Repackage album title track 《LOVE ME RIGHT》 CHEN, CHANYEOL and LAY co-composed 《PROMISE》

During the week of the interview, they were asked to bring a copy of their repackage album 《LOVE ME RIGHT》. The members sang the chorus but during this time (when the interview was held), the song was not released yet so Chanyeol cutely said: “We can only show a little part of it, you cannot spread it!”. Chen introduced song 《PROMISE》 which he composed together with Chanyeol and Lay. Baekhyun said that this album is special, it was a challenge for them because they haven’t tried “American Footbal” clothes/style to show a new side of EXO.

Since their debut 3 years ago, XIUMIN hyung finally speaks up (lit. opens his mouth)

D.O.’s 四字走天下 (four words to walk the world) (meaning he doesn’t talk much)