I’m not too sure if this is the appropriate time to be posting this, as we’ve known about the comeback since the 17th; however, in light of the official release of the album, there’s something I’ve been wanting to say to everyone.

Congratulations.

I am completely sincere when I say I want to extend my praise to every EXO fan who waited for this comeback for so long. I know, just like everyone else, that it was painful. It seems like a strange thing to say about something like waiting for an album, a word usually reserved for more serious matters. Yet, every one of those 426 days was painful in its own right.

What SM did with EXO was unusual, and not in a good way. After releasing countless teasers and two “prologue” songs, EXO finally debuted with Mama - and then disappeared. While other rookies released song after song, filming variety shows and meeting with fans, EXO performed Mama. Over, and over, and over. It’s strange, really, to think what a fanbase they managed to amass, because what SM did with them was give us a taste of something we loved and take it away.

While other fandoms happily connected with their oppas over shows and songs, EXO remained barred to us, something we liked but didn’t know. SM held EXO out of our reach for 426 days, allowing us neither a chance to get to know their musical style nor a chance to get to know them.

I have seen many complaints about how EXO fans wouldn’t shut up about the comeback, how other groups went long periods of time without a comeback too. However, it must be kept in mind how inexperienced EXO was. They debuted and left. Oftentimes it seemed that we would never really get anything out of the emotional investment we made in twelve boys who performed the same song over and over.

That was tough. EXO was like some kind of black hole, one that sucked you in but never gave anything back. The marketing techniques SM exhibited had some nasty results: many, many leaks of songs and videos, as well as some fans that didn’t seem to understand that EXO deserves respect. All this time with no real connection to their idols left fans bereaved, and some of them cracked.

But I’ll wrap this up: it happened. Some ugly things have occurred along the way, doubtless. Yet where it would have been easy to give up on EXO and leave, we stuck it out. We haven’t been a perfect fandom; yet, EXO hasn’t been a perfect group. To all of you who stuck it out 426 days, pushing through with little hope to be seen on the other side, without infringing upon EXO’s rights as artists and people, congratulations, and thank you. I truly hope that from this point SM will allow EXO to show their full potential, in both their music and their personalities, and EXO fandom - I know now that we can stick it out.