A Guide to EXO's storyline

(Kstationtv, 2023)

SM is known for its complex universe with interconnected storylines from each group. Here is my personal take on EXO’s storyline that is portrayed throughout their MVs.

“What is Love”

“What is Love” introduces all the members and the two subunits. It also hits at the members' powers and the eclipse that will become important later on. 

“Mama”

The “Mama” MV sets up the premise of the story. EXO are aliens from another planet that have been given powers by the Tree of Life. In order to protect the tree from the Red Force, it was split into two halves (the two subunits) and will only become whole again when the two halves come together during an eclipse. 

“History”

“History” emphasizes the separation of the members in the two subunits. Especially in the lyrics with lines like “A never-ending war scene/The despair of a divided sun.”

“Wolf”/”Growl”

Both songs refer to the members as wolves. The moon is often associated with wolves and is also something that is brought up throughout the song. This connects back to their concept and the importance of an eclipse in their story.

“Overdose”

The maze in “Overdose” was likely put there by the Red Force to capture the members. In the music videos, it is seen that the members are making their way through the maze only to be captured once they reach the center.

“Call Me Baby” - Pathcode teasers

The teasers show each of the members alone, likely to show how they were separated in the maze. In some of the teasers members such as Chanyeol have difficulty controlling their powers which could indicate that being in the maze was messing with their powers, so it makes sense that they end up being captured. 

“Luck One”

The MV shows the members in the Red Forces lab being experimented on. At the end of the MV, they are able to escape, but some of the nurses are seen watching them through a monitor.

“Love Me Right”/”Ko Ko Bop”

Both of these MVs show Exo under the control of the Red Force while they are being experimented on. They take pills at the start of “Ko Ko Bop” which put them under a trance that takes place during both MVs.

“Tempo”

“Tempo” shows the formation of X-EXO, clones of the members created by the Red Force. The members are in the white boxes while X-EXO are the one’s actually in the MV.

“Monster”/ “Lotto”/ “Love Shot”

All these MV’s follow X-EXO. “Lotto” and “Love Shot” show X-EXO wreaking havoc on Earth by doing a lot of questionable things. However, they are caught and arrested, only to be later saved by X-Baekhyun at the end of “Monster.”

“Obsession”

“Obsession” shows the battle between EXO and X-EXO on Earth. At the end of the MV, the planet is burning, likely showing that X-EXO won the battle.

EXO alternative universe:

“Power”/ “Don’t Fight the Feeling”

These MVs take place in an alternate universe where the members are normal teenage boys who are playing video games, and imagining themselves as superheroes. This is apparent in the cartoony style of “Power” and the promotional material of both comebacks. This could possibly mean that the EXO story takes place in a game being played by the members in an alternative universe where the members are imagining themselves as EXO.

Other:

“Cream Soda”

I’m not sure where this MV takes place. The MV shows the members living lavishly and partying, so maybe it takes place around the same time as “Love Shot” and follow X-EXO. Alternatively, it could somehow take place after “Obsession” and show X-EXO celebrating their win.