EXO - Universe - UK K-Pop Fans Reaction
Vložit
- čas přidán 15. 03. 2024
- 🎥 Along for the Ride
☕ EXO - Universe - UK K-Pop Fans Reaction 🌌💔
Kerry and Simon are warming up with EXO's "Universe", a poignant ballad that delves deep into themes of love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of one's cherished "universe". This winter-themed track is distinguished by its stirring piano melody, powerful vocals, and emotive lyrics that convey a deep sense of longing and determination to overcome any obstacle for love.
In this reaction video, Kerry and Simon explore the layers of "Universe", from its lyrical depth to the exceptional vocal performances that highlight EXO's range and emotional resonance. They'll discuss the music video's aesthetic, which perfectly complements the song's melancholic yet hopeful tone, and share how "Universe" stands as a testament to EXO's ability to connect with listeners on a profound level.
🔗 Watch EXO's "Universe" here: • EXO 엑소 'Universe' MV
☕ EXO - "Universe"
🌟 Unlock Exclusive Content on Our Patreon:
For more reactions that uncover the emotional impact of K-pop's most moving ballads, join our Patreon community. Your support enables Kerry and Simon to share their passion for the music and stories that touch our hearts, offering unique insights and heartfelt reactions.
Become part of our journey here: / alongfortheride899
🤝 Connect with Our Community:
Engage in discussions about "Universe" and its place within EXO's discography in our Discord community. It's a space for deep conversations and connecting over the tracks that evoke the strongest emotions: / discord
🔔 Stay Updated:
Follow us on Twitter/X @AFTRreacts for the latest reactions, updates, and insights into the songs that define the emotional landscape of K-pop. If EXO's "Universe" has moved you, hit the like button and share your thoughts on this soul-stirring ballad in the comments.
For any inquiries or to share your appreciation for EXO's music directly with us, please contact us at alongfortheridereacts@gmail.com.
#EXO #Universe #UKKpopFansReaction #PoignantBallad #EmotionalDepth #VocalPerformance #MusicVideoAesthetics #HeartfeltMusic #KpopEmotions #AlongForTheRide #AFTRreacts
I understand ballads typically feel sad but this one just gives me comforting vibes, like a warm hug or enjoying a hot cup of coffee.
Not a fan of ballads - but then along came EXO! EXO ballads are on a different universe! This song never fails to give me goosebumps. I see people sad, their life filled with knots holding them back, then they get together, reach out with that coffee and find each other. When they rely on each other, their troubles are loosened and drop away. To me, the MV is about the power of friendship.
The same thing happens to me, I don't usually like ballads until, that I discovered Exo I love all his ballads there is something in his ballads that don't seem like ballads, I don't know how to explain it with words
Bottom of the barrel? Excuuuuuuuuse me? Ahahaha. You haven’t even scratched the surface of Exo discography… fyi “Ballads” as a genre are a huge part of South Korean pop music and of Exo discography as well, Exo have well over 400 songs group, solo, sub-unit collabs… 😂 And UNIVERSE is actually one of the most streamed kpop songs on Korean streaming platforms…
Edit:
Simon, yes bang on the rock opera feels and the Queen like vocals. Universe is gorgeous
It'll be a while before Kerry lives down that slip of the tongue!! She, of course, didn't mean anything negative about the song neither of us had heard before... ballads just hit her really hard emotionally and it had her all in a muddle. Hopefully our appreciation of the beauty of the song came through regardless
@alongfortheridereacts I don't like 25% of exo's song. Universe is in the list. First Snow also.
I mean... it's okay if we don't like something. Music is about personal taste
@@rayaayre2074that’s true I think it’s all about what kind of music someone likes. I love Exo songs and almost all of them I like. But then when you tell me to listen to other songs I would probably not prefer it and will not be my type. I mean there r some songs that don’t fit my music in Exo but I don’t force myself to listen to it. I think that’s what I respect about reaction groups a lot because they react to a lot of songs from a lot of genres. If it was me I would not be able to 😅.
My mistake I said reaction group instead of reaction channel 😅😅
@sarahkhairi928
Agree hahaha....
I miss the time they released winter albums every year 😭😭 nobody does christmas music like exo it's too good seriously
Universe is one of the most streamed song on korean platforms
Let me explain one of the theories behind the story in EXO's "Universe" MV. First off, "Universe", as you are discovering, with most everything to do with EXO, is connected to EXO's concept and storyline. So some of the scenes are designed to make connections to EXO's story. The most obvious point is that in the lyrics they are talking about "Searching the Universe" for that lost or missing love. So you can see how that parallels how EXO are searching the universe for the Tree of Life and for a way to fix everything that is going wrong, etc.
The theme of the MV is “cafe universe" and one theory is that the story is being told through coffee metaphors. As you may remember, EXO's official fan color is Cosmic Latte -- the color that is said to be created when you combine all the colors of the stars in the universe -- which is thought to be why this whole MV uses the creamy tan and brown tones and why it is centred around coffee.
In order to understand what is happening in the MV, you should be aware that the story is not unfolding in chronological order. The plot is more like an explanation of feelings than a straight storyline.
One theory is that the coffee is a metaphor for the feelings of bitterness. Two guys share a coffee, but they both hate its bitter taste. They think that if they add something to it, it will be less bitter. One person (Chanyeol) wanted to fix things by making it sweet, so he decided to add sugar. The other guy (Suho) tries to fix things with a more mellow, smooth approach, so he adds milk or cream to the coffee. However, there are limits to everything, and even when you have the best of intentions, you can take things too far. As the leader of the group, Suho wants to smooth things over, so he keeps adding milk as he tries to cover the bitterness, but in doing so it also masks the sweetness of the sugar and the pure taste of the coffee. So this is where you see the cup overflow as it is overpowered by everything being added to it. By covering the bitterness with an overwhelming amount of cream and sugar it has now made the coffee something neither one wants to drink. So in other words, making hasty decisions without considering others feelings, viewpoints and opinions will ruin relationships in the process.
The story seems to primarily focus on Suho, Chanyeol, and Sehun. Some theories say that it looks as though Suho and Chanyeol are not on good terms. Which is thought to be a continuation of how we saw Chanyeol and Suho fighting in "Sing For You," but instead of solving the conflict by talking it out, they turn their backs and build a wall around the problem. At one point you see Chanyeol with his back turned and his cup sitting upside down, and he is staring blankly at an empty spot, which is thought to be Suho's place.
The conflict is affecting their friendship as a group and Sehun wants to help his friends. But it is unclear what Suho and Chanyeol are really fighting about because they are hiding their true feelings and are passivagressivly pretending like everything is OK.
This is where Kai, Baekhyun, Chen and Xiumin enter the plot. Some theories have interpreted the teaser images from "Universe" as showing the members split into two groups. It is thought that Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin and Kai represent the internal struggles of the group because we see them in the MV and in the teaser images for "Universe" sitting at the table almost as if they are restless and struggling to come up with an answer for how to fix things or to smooth things over, etc. And the other members -- Suho, Chanyeol, D.O. and Sehun -- represent the physical manifestation of that conflict.
Sehun figures that if he understands his friends' (Suho and Chanyeol) internal struggles he can figure out how to fix things. Sehun's internal struggle is depicted by Xiumin who contemplates how he can fix his friends’ mistakes (Kai and Baekhyun). You see Xiumin sitting at the table with a glass of water and tissue paper. Mirroring the problems caused by Chanyeol and Suho, we see Baekhyun add too much sugar to the coffee and Kai adds too much milk to the cup and spills the coffee.
However, Xiumin seems to have come up with a solution: water can dilute the sugar and make it less sweet and the tissue can clean up the spilled coffee.
D.O. and Chen are the two that are thought to represent the bitterness of the coffee in their parallel groups.
Chen scribbles on the paper almost as if this represents the internal struggle that the group is going through, as if the pain, emotion and conflict is just a big mess that they are struggling to work out. Kai (who is representing Suho's internal struggles) blames himself as the reason for Chen's scribbles (Chen represents the coffee's bitterness, which is the problems within the group). Kai's (Suho's internal struggle) guilt becomes so encompassing that it turned those scribbles into physical ropes that tied him up and traped him.
At one point you see Kai sitting at the table covered with cups of coffee. Each cup is different and that is thought to represent a different memory of moments in their friendship. Each memory is unique and special, but Kai seems to be overwhelmed by it all. He sits with his head on the table trying to sort out all his feelings and emotions, etc. But if you notice, what he is focused on the entire time is the plate of sugar cubes.
But before Kai's guilt (Suho's internal struggle) can really consume him, Sehun steps in and gives him a new cup of coffee. Allowing Kai to have the chance to start over. Sehun also handed Kai a saucer with sugar cubes. He knows that Kai's (Suho's) regret is rooted in the fact that he was not able to give his friend Baekhyun (Chanyeol) the simple taste of sweet coffee. Which is a metaphor for not being able to provide a simple fix to their problems. If Kai (Suho) can make the coffee the perfect amount of sweet for Baekhyun (Chanyeol) this time he may be able to move on and stop holding on to the guilt, regret and anger, etc. which will help to resolve the conflict within the group.
Also, it seems as though parts of the story are being told from Kai's point of view. Some theories think that this connects to the story in their "Sing For You" MV as well. In "Sing For You," Kai was the one that seemed to be interpreting the emotions in that MV through his dance, so some say he is also the interpreter of what is happening in "Universe."
Next you see that the table becomes empty and the only things remaining are the sugar cubes, the cup of coffee and the glass of water. Some say the sugar represents their ability to carefully create a sweeter future, while the water is a reminder not to repeat past mistakes.
In the end, Kai decides not to add anything to the coffee, and instead, he gives Baekhyun the coffee in its pure black bitter form. Because he has now learned that there is no reason for them to keep trying to change each other. As bitter as life can be, they come to the conclusion that they should accept its imperfections -- that in friendships, there will be struggles and misunderstandings, but sugarcoating it or pretending that everything is watered down or milky good, isn't being honest with themselves. Which is what is really happening within Suho and Chanyeol -- they may be sitting next to each other but deep inside, they're opposing one another as shown through Kai and Baekhyun's actions.
On the surface it seems as though the members are all talking about their friendships and the struggles they had over the past few years. But, as we have discovered with many of EXO's songs, SM has actually been planning their song releases and MV storylines since their pre-debut days, way back in 2012, as we hear in EXO's pre-debut teasers. So, if that is the case, then that was before EXO had even gone through any of their major struggles as a group, so I think the meaning of "Universe" may have evolved only because we as listeners have reinterpreted it to fit a new narrative. That's the beauty of songs like this, you can interpret it however you want and make it fit whatever story you want or need it to.
wow! New theories to learn from. Thank you for sharing your EXO knowledge 👍
Wah, Im impressed by your Theory.. Its lovely to be in EXP PLANET🤍
This is a long detailed explanation for one song ! You did an excellent job.
And my heart hurts typing this, but this was the last Winter album we got from them ❤️🩹 South Korea loves their ballads and EXO delivers the ultimate experience (as they always do). ❤
Not that big of a ballad fan but I actually do love EXO's ballads. Nothing too cheesy or anything. Music is subjective so we all perceive music differently but I adore "Universe"... the lyrics, the music, melody, the vocals, the visuals all make for a lovely song and mv imo 🥰
EXOs ballads are actually very popular! It’s one of their things every single year since 2013 they were releasing winter albums that are full of ballads! They charted really well. No other Koop group releases this much ballad and is actually successful and Koreans actually LOVE ballads. They chart really well there
This was my FIRST EXO MV, my INTRODUCTION TO K-POP & EXO. & that was 4 years ago. I’ll never be the same 😊❤
will you be doing album reviews? they have many hidden b-side gems!
EXO Universe song is about the guys searching the universe for their long lost love pouring their heart out to make that person come back. And when you see the knots in the strings and Kai tied up and Chen drawing a picture with knots is about life being tangled up and they don't know how get out of it and things are going wrong in their lives until that person comes back and they break the ropes and everything is back to normal because they searched the universe and found the person they love. And the theme for the comeback is EXO are coffee Baristas it's something xiumin loves to do make coffee and he wanted to own his own coffee shop and it was a good thing for the winter season and he was really happy to find out they were doing a concept like this and they have real Cups like that they sold the EXO coffee cups
Plus EXO'S fandom color is Cosmic latte (the sum of all colors of the universe)😊
Coffee's color is cosmic latte which is the official color of the fandom. Cosmic latte is also known as the color of the universe. To be honest "Universe" can be interpreted in so many ways analogically. It could taken as them taking to fans, them having inner struggle or them having a hard time trying to search for the heart of tree of life.
EXO Ballads is the best out there!
Omg. This song and the visuals are so beautiful! Disagree about the ballads.
This is the song that made me an EXO-L.
EXO winter albums are on a different level everytime!!!
Coffee: Cosmic Latte ☕
"Scraping the bottom of the barrel". Amazing judgement about a top tier song by EXO.
You have soooooooo much more EXO left to find. My favorite part of this is steamy, bald Kyungsoo. It’s a look 👀 and Suho/Chanyeol harmonies. Notice: the dark then light mood& the “knots”.or entanglements…..
Exo ballads are top tier, I would recommend giving “my answer” a listen, it’s such a beautiful song.
exols, calm down 🫂 hehe they're exoplanet babies, still exploring exo discography 😊
and yes, this ballad is beautiful, thank you for reacting!
Winter albums are EXO's best. Enjoying their voices, Harmonies, feelings is the most rewarding. It doesn't matter if they are Christmas, love, heartbreak, positivity, sadness. Enjoying these songs is the best thing 🫶🏻
but i am waiting for you guys to react to EXO PROMISE live 🥲
They are no ready, Promise is going to be too much for them.
but it is a rite of passage for every exo-l 🥲hehe. plus, chanyeol's rap part is 🔥 @@ChanyeolsHaneul
maybe they should watch that fanmade EXO and EXO-L is family, with PROMISE live at the end @@ChanyeolsHaneul
@@user-hu8be3rd6g I agree with you but it seems songs like that one are a bit too emotional for her so maybe when they had have much time listening other less heartbreaking songs they may be ready to react to Promise. I mean I am an EXO-L since their beginning and I can't listen to Promise without breaking in pieces, specially Chanyeol's rap.
Transformer
Hurt
Jekyll...
( Suho - Hurdle ; Xiumin - Serenity; D.O - The View; Chen -Hello )
Baek - Cry for Love
Still sooooooo many to go❤
@@Italian67foreverexofan yes
I Love all of their Acting in this MV and EXO Ballads are something else Universe Album is soo good .
Exo's winter albums are very captivating ❤
Always gives me goosebumps, Universe. 😢
This is one of my favourite songs, I like it so much that is set it as an alarm 💕This is a beautiful and meaningful song (for them as a group, for the storyline and for us)
One of my favourites. Such a beautiful song.
Waiting for EXO thank you both
Yaaay. I love universe😍😍
I suggest read the translation of the songs before watch the video. I think will help understand the videos.
( not everyone, bc somes really dont make sense 😅)
All tracks in the universe album are all Amazing!
My fav song at the moment its just perfect...my favorite song changes every month tho
Universe is part of the GREATEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME. yes even though it's "just" a winter album it's one of their best
ILOVE YOU EXO ❤❤❤❤❤❤CBX - cry '(live) CHEN - light out 🙏
"Cry" Not "kry"
EXO ballads are gorgeous beautiful and meaningful
Off of this album, "Universe" the title track isn't even the favorite for me. That should tell you something about how amazing the other songs are. My favorite is "Fall" talk about operatic and harmonizing deliciousness. Then followed by "Stay" which hurts your heart in a good way, and then "Universe".
Uh, nothing about EXO is operatic. I can say this with confidence as a classical music fan.
I love EXO's ballads, and this is one of their best. The music video is beautiful as well. I love the untangling that happens towards the end.
Exo ballets 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾❤❤❤, someone said this is comforting here and it is so true...
Thank you for the reaction guys ❤.
Yesssssssss!
✨engagement✨
Also love the Millinda call out!
Also, my own call out!
All that engagement paid off!!
Such a beautiful song!❤
Thank you for the reaction guys❤
Exo ballads are just beautiful. Waiting for more winter album since 2017.
One of my favorites!
Commenting before watching the video...because this is my FAVORITE EXO ALBUM (the songs are to my genre) (just had a hard time putting it at no.1 because Lay is not there 🥲)
Winter albums tend to go soft and in the feels.
Winter albums are so warm and healing to me! Have a great day! 😊😊
Also Unfair. It has many versions. You'll enjoy watching and listening to them.
The visuals of this song are some of my favorites
This song and its album are my comfort song/album.
I love this song ♡︎ whenever I’m feeling down, listening to it and watching it’s MV makes me feel better, it’s like it’s telling me that even if everything seems wrong and tangled, all I need to do is have a cup of coffee and keep doing my best ~ Then everything will work out and the problems will be solved .
Thank you for the Exo reaction ~
You guys really loved the whale before and wanted it to be here 😂😂 I love you guys so much ❤ you guys make my days and I’m always anticipating for the videos 😊
It’s my comfort song! It’s one of the first song I play while enjoying tea or driving in the morning
Universe is their last winter album to date. the whole album is so beautiful! If only all their songs have MV, more would discover and realize that EXO has an exceptional discography. sure, there are less liked songs but EXO has no bad song. thank you for this reaction 😊
I love the simplicity of the Universe (musically wise) and yet it's so impactful. And the mv plot is meaningful. My favourite EXO ballad mv
I enjoyed your review Mr.as have great insight. The negative Mrs was difficult to digest. She outweighed your wonderful positivity. .
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Kai spilling things is actually a part of his personality in real life... spills everywhere. Universe is a beautiful song and the color palette for the MV was gorgeous. EXO has a lot of music and the B-sides, R&B gems. Plus music still sitting in SM vault we've never heard before... Anyway, great reaction.
(Kai's bestie Taemin used to set things/food on fire so they go hand in hand)
I kinda understand Kerry's hesitancy about ballads & sad songs in general. I am a feeler too, & if I let myself be engrossed with the song, I'm gonna be a mess that I physically feel pain in my chest lol, just because of a song I don't even understand the lyrics of 😅 so sometimes I try to divert my attention to other things so it's not too heavy for me, while still enjoying every bit of the song.
Enjoyed your reaction btw! This song can really move you, just like all their other songs ❤❤
Bottom of the barrel?! Well if it’s the bottom of the barrel of their title tracks+ones that have MVs, then acceptable 😂❤
wibbly wobbly timey wimey ❤😂❤😂
Even Michael made it into a video hahahahhah
2:51 I'm also in a bad mood together 😂 I think I feel her.
Suggest Cosmic Railway
Universe winter album is the best you should listen and react this full album it soooooo beautiful
Milinda has a template of comments to put in Exo reactors comments section. She is not a bot from what I know as she respomded to me before in other reactors comment section 😅
I did not like ballads and Kpop in general, then EXO happened......happening and will happen for 70 more years.
You should search the lyrics right after you watch the video you're missing a lot especially with Exo songs
I think the reason I like Exo songs so much is bc they have lyrics I can relate to...Kpop is such a vast 'universe' 😏more than explosive performance songs I rather remember and hold in my heart those kind of songs so no wonder Exo discography is so loved and people keep going back to their songs
Did you just say scraping of the barrel 😂😂😂😂😂I’m sure you were joking
100% joking. Off camera joke about doing the ballads last arrived on camera out of context ❤️
I think you need to read the lyrics.
0:50 I must have missed something in your previous reactions, who's Melinda?
A frequent commenter of epic proportions
@@alongfortheridereacts thank you for letting me know ❤️
Lmao yall. You talk enough at the end of these video anyways, you mays well pull up the lyrics and learn something while your blabbing 😂