i just hope people won’t compare svt and exo as groups. every group has their own hardships, and we’ll never truly know what happens behind closed doors or what each member has had to go through. but i’m really glad that the show is such an eye-opener, not only for the leaders but for the fandoms as well.
being a leader isn’t just about guiding a group or being the person who speaks on behalf of everyone. it also means carrying responsibilities, making difficult decisions, looking after the members, and sometimes having to stay strong even when you’re struggling yourself. they may share the same title, but that doesn’t mean they’ve had the same experiences. every leader has faced different situations, dealt with different responsibilities, and found their own way of taking care of their group.
i hope people can appreciate their journeys without comparing who suffered more or whose group had it harder. we can recognize what svt and exo have been through without making it a competition. both groups have gone through different experiences, and both deserve the same respect and understanding.
what i love about the show is that it reminds us that leaders are people, too. they’re not just the ones who have to protect the group, reassure the members, and keep everyone together. they also have their own worries, fears, and moments when they need support. seeing them share their experiences makes me appreciate them even more, how much they’ve endured and how much they continue to do for their groups.
i just hope this show won’t make other fandoms feel like their groups are being compared or that their experiences are being invalidated. i don’t think that’s the point of the show at all. we can appreciate svt, exo, and every other group’s journey without taking anything away from one another. every group has its own story, and every leader deserves to have their struggles acknowledged and respected.
“because we have a leader like you exo could continue until now. i think that’s a big factor, because suho hyung is the leader” members doesn’t keep appreciating junmyeon just for anyone to question his role
i can’t really call myself an L since i’ve only listened to a few of their songs. but even though i wasn’t a part of their fandom, i witnessed everything that happened to EXO throughout the years, and one thing i can say with certainty is that he endured EVERYTHING. they endured EVERYTHING.
can you imagine experiencing all those hardships while also having a company that constantly failed to treat you the way you deserved? and yet, despite everything, he still kept everyone together. he continued to show up, protect the group, and carry the responsibility of being their leader, even when he was probably struggling too.
that’s why i immediately remembered what mingyu said during salon drip, that leaders aren’t chosen simply because they’re the oldest, but because they’re the ones who are trusted to look after the group. and that is exactly what he did. he looked after them, stood by them, and continued holding EXO together through everything.
and despite all the pain, disappointments, and hardships, he still chose EXO. he chose to stay. he chose his members and the group they built together. and look at them now, still thriving.
i don’t think i’ll ever be able to express how grateful i am that he held on. thank you for not giving up, for continuing to love EXO. i’m so grateful that EXO still exists, and that you’re still there with them ❤️🩹