Hit Producer Reacts: EXO "Monster" 

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People throw around the phrase ‘cultural reset’ a lot these days, but Monster was legit a cultural reset in Kpop. The fan chants alone sound like they could topple a building. There was just so much excitement over this track.

Facts: you'll never regret reacting to any exo songs or MVs

They actually can sing all genres

whenever people praise exo for their vocals, it added 100 years to my lifetime istg

The vocalist who hits the highnote in this song and in Obsession is Chen EXO's main vocalist he really does have a wide range from high to low note. I also appreciate your observation that EXO can do a wide range of genre and every member has a genre they excel at but EXO's sound as a whole is the BEST!

I think "Going Crazy" and "Forever" by EXO will be a great song to break down as well 😊 (Though these are b-sides from their "The War" album)

Please watch their live performance. 1. MAMA - monster - wolf live in japan. 2. El Dorado live in japan

You’ll probably enjoy dissecting EXO’s “going crazy” and “Forever”.. it doesn’t have an official music video though!..its a b-side tract.. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it..

SM vocalists were trained to sing while on a treadmill. Right, Ls?

The producer is LDN noise! Crazy talented and they looked super proud whenever they did a showcase for their exo’s song. The way they use exo’s vocal layering and harmonising is 😘😘😘😘

they trained while running in the treadmill so yes their vocal training itself was wild

Omg... I think you should listen to EXO - Mama (means "Your Highness"), their debut song. It's orchestra-rock. It's EPIC. EXO is so versatile, they can do any genre. I'm not even exaggerating. I guess that's what happened when you managed to combine some very talented people into one group, you hit the jackpot. Throw any kind of music at their way, and they will eat it.

I only realized today that there is always a lot of things happening in EXO's Music videos 😭

Their vocals are perfected because in kpop industry, idols are trained for years before they get to debut. Of course except to some lucky and talented ones who get to debut with just months of training. Also, SM Ent is said to be a vocal powerhouse.

Everything EXO is involved in, and I literally mean almost everything, is connected in some way to their concept and storyline. EXO's MVs are kind of like a movie -- it's a movie that has been going on for the past 9 years -- since predebut -- and it has no sign of coming to an end any time soon. The one thing you have to keep in mind with all of EXO's MVs, and I really mean all of them -- including their sub-sub-unit MVs and a majority of the member's solo MVs. And because Baekhyun and Kai are involved, even SuperM's storyline -- is that they are all connected and they all tell a little more of EXO's story. To truly understand EXO you need to know that EXO debuted in 2012. So to really understand EXO you need to start from the very beginning and watch both of their "Mama" MVs. From day one, EXO's concept is that they are aliens from Planet Exo and they came to Earth with superpowers to protect the Tree of Life from the Red Forces. Each of the members has a superpower that is unique to them. Exo, as in exoskeleton, means "outer," so as a member of EXO they are outside the ordinary.The group's concept comes from the real term exoplanet, which is a term that is used for a planet that is outside our solar system, so their name was chosen to represent the fact that they are stars that are "out of this world" when it comes to their talents. Now you also need to know that In the beginning there was 12 members and they were split up into 2 groups EXO-K and EXO-M. EXO-K sang and performed their songs in Korean and EXO-M sang and performed those same songs in Mandarin Chinese. EXO-K had 6 Korean members and EXO-M had 4 Chinese members and 2 Korean members. However, since then, 3 of the 4 Chinese members have left the group (short answer to focus on their solo work back in China) but there is still one Chinese member left, Lay. (Any performances or MVs you watch that took place prior to May 2014 you will see all 12 members.) However, now, because they no longer have enough Chinese members they no longer do separate promotions, but they still produce almost all of their MVs and main songs in both Korean and Mandarin they just now promote all as one big group EXO with 9 members. So each new MV or project from EXO tells another part of the story, and over the years we fans have started to create a timeline and idea of what we think each part of the story is telling us. As the English lines in "Monster" say ... They're "Creeping, Creeping Creeping .... Creeping in your heart babe" "You can call me Monster (because) I'm creeping in your heart babe." "She got me goin' crazy." The song's called "Monster," so the words are about acting like a monster: "Don't be afraid, love is the way ... i'm sorry, you make me sooo craaaazzzy, you know you dooooo." So the floating watch and the car that is on fire in reverse, etc., I think was -- on top of being a metaphor in the story -- also supposed to be the members using their superpowers. And the snake, like a monster, mirrors the beat of the song, which kind of slithers like a snake as a metaphor for the way the guy slithers in and out of the relationship stealing warmth and affection from the girl, but in the end, leaving her cold and alone like a cold-blooded snake, etc. However, the lyrics of the song have very little to do with the story in the MV. If you want to know what the song is about, you should look up an English translation of the lyrics. Because the lyrics tell a different story than the story in the MV. In the song the members are talking about a girl and they are telling the girl that "You can call me Monster" because I know I am bad for you and I will ruin you. I know that when we are over that I will have destroyed everything that is good about you, but I don't care because I want you so much that it doesn't matter to me. But the MV is about EXO's origin story and about the fact that they have come to Earth on a mission. Also, the majority of the choreography for "Monster" has to do with the members using their powers, so when/if you watch the dance practice and/or watch a live performance, if you know what you are looking for, you will see that each move is done for a very specific reason. The X they make to represent EXO is only the beginning of the story in their choreography. Every move of the choreography has been designed to be an extension of their story and it uses elements of their dance to represent several of the members using their powers. For example, D.O. has the power of super strength, so during his part in the song and choreography you will see that he waves his hands and the other members are pushed away from him or pulled toward him. When you see Suho in the middle of the group and they have a hold of his arms, he rotates his body around like swirling water because Suho has the power to control water. Xiumin has the power to control snow/ice/frost, so during one part of the choreography you will see that each of the members pause as if frozen as he moves in front of them. Sehun has the power to control wind, so during his parts, you will see the other members shuffle around him as if they are creating a windstorm. And the part where they are sitting on the ground is supposed to represent a sundial -- EXO gets their power from the eclipse and their powers are affected by planetary and solar phenomenon, so the sundial is meant to represent the passing of time and their connection to the sun. You should also make note that "Lotto" is a prequel to "Monster," so when you watch "Lotto," just keep in mind that what you saw happen in "Monster" is what is going to take place after or in conjunction with the events in "Lotto". How "Monster" and "Lotto" tie into EXOs larger storyline is a little open ended, but because "Lotto" is thought to be the prequel to "Monster," I think the story starts out in "Lotto" where the members have somehow infiltrated this big gambling ring and are undercover as they work to uncover a clue or something they need in order to accomplish their tasks here on Earth. I think the underground gambling establishment is run by a gang of bad guys who are probably members of the Red Force. "Lotto" is where we are introduced to a girl who is being held captive. And ultimately, I think what EXO are trying to do is rescue the girl from the Red Force, but they are trying to do it without blowing their cover or being found out. So, that's why you see in "Lotto," and continued in "Monster," the members are fighting against the police because the police have come in to take down the gambling ring and rescue the girl, which is also what EXO are trying to do. However, the members of EXO don't want to be discovered, so they play along as if they are part of the bad guys. But we see in the end of "Monster," Baekhyun disguises himself as one of the police and helps the other members escape before they are taken to jail and/or captured by the Red Force, etc. You also see Lay crouched in the middle of what looks like a pile of people -- I'm not sure whether these are the FBI agents, or if these are members of the Red Force -- and I think he is checking to make sure they are OK and possibly trying to use his power of healing to fix things and heal the injured. Because some theories believe that EXO are traveling between time periods and dimensions, I think in "Monster" they also might be showing how some of the members are arriving on scene at different moments in the timeline of events that are taking place in the MV -- the members don't necessarily arrive at the location together. For instance, you also see Kai standing on or near a giant pile of people as well, and he seems to be standing over them. Some have pointed to this as possibly showing evil X-EXO Kai -- Kai's alter ego clone that was created by the Red Forced and introduced in EXO's "Obsession" MV -- who has done something bad, but I think this may be showing good EXO Kai, who has just shown up at that moment, observing what has taken place. Because Kai has the power of teleportation he is the one that is in charge of bringing the members together and traveling between time and space, so I think he has shown up from a different time or place and is now trying to figure out what has happened, etc. In "Obsession" the members in the bright colored clothing with the crazy makeup and hair are supposed to be X-EXO and the ones in the black or dark colored clothing are supposed to be EXO. So, in the parts where they are dressed in all black in "Monster" I think this is showing EXO, and where you see them in the red, this might by showing X-EXO. At the time when "Monster" was first released, we had no idea about X-EXO's existence, but since "Obsession", we have started to go back and reanalyze some of their older MVs, and it appears that what we thought was always EXO, may have been in fact X-EXO some of the time. As you can see, EXO's story is always evolving and changing, and just when you think you have one part understood, SM introduces a new piece of the story and changes the direction of the narrative. It's also thought that red light represents the Red Force and blue light represents EXO. So in EXO's MVs when you see red light this is where the Red Force has control, and when you see blue light this is where EXO has the upperhand. However, if you see purple light this is thought to be when the line between EXO and the Red Force is blurred and they are battling to gain control. Unfortunately, as you can see, what makes EXO's storyline even more difficult to follow is the fact that nothing is ever in chronological order. So you really have to pay close attention to every detail, to even begin to make connections. To see a list of the members and what their role within the group is and what their superpowers are, please check out the reply attached to this comment.

No matter how many times i listen to EXO songs, I don’t get tired of them cos there’s so many things to listen for. Rhythm, synth, vocals, harmonies, little connectors and now thanks to you, delays! 😆 Personally I love the rubato and RnB vibes when they sing, and the runs they do (yeh yeh yeh yeah) just colors their music so vibrantly.

Highly recommend you checkout EXO-Going Crazy. I think you’d really enjoy it.

I dare you to break down EXO’s debut song ‘Mama’!

Please react to EXO - ‘Overdose’ and ‘Call Me Baby’ too. Thanks a lot!

You need to react their concert too... there is middley section in their concert. It dope... they did remix and no lipsing... if i am not wrong it was in elyxion exo planet 4 concert in seoul. Middley songs was diamond+coming over+run this+drop that+power... it was seems like in the club... and thank you for reaction exo... your reaction educate us... it help us to understand about music... thank you

I'm early! Thank you once again for reacting to EXO. I would like to recommend you to EXO Live, EXO - MAMA + Monster + Wolf (1.2M views) and EXO - Diamond + Coming Over + Run This + Drop That + Power. MVs: Love me right, MAMA, Call me baby.

dude i really wish you also check out their live concerts version, especially the japan concerts. their live performance is just insane! that is why i love EXO.

EXO has insane vocal layering!..

i’m not even part of the song making or what but I’m proudly smiling with all your praises for them. thanks for it. looking forward!

Yesssssssss, EXO are kingssss! Thank you so much!

SM artists are all to the highest level in terms of vocals. When I first introduce to kpop, Super Junior and Girls Generations/SNSD are the SM artists that I admire their music and later discover the rest artists under that company, now EXO set the standards so high. Watching their live performances, concerts, it makes me losts my words and goosebumbs.

I really love your EXO reactions! I’m learning a lot! Please react to more EXO! EXO’s Call me Baby won’t disappoint I swear! 🥺 … fun fact though EXO’s live concerts are better than their studio versions so you might want to react to their lives too in the future! I don’t know why I listen to other kpop groups too but there’s something about EXO that really WOWs me!!! Maybe because they’re so talented and very versatile! Even when some of them left and some are currently enlisted their popularity ever since debut is the same 😅 I hope to see more of you! 🥰 Fighting! OH! And the genres you’ve mentioned 💯💯💯…. Wait till you hear their ballads they’re INSANE!!! 🤣

EXO, kings of harmonies, kings of vocals, music versality

Here I am smiling like a proud mother. Do watch Wolf remix Japan

What I love about SM's producers and vocal teachers is that they take the particular skills that each one has and blend them very well. EXO has very particular members that have very very different styles and its amazing that they can actually match really well

Yes, that's the same guy who hit the D notes on your previous reactions. They are all talented and have amazing vocals.

React to their Wolf MV too. It's a really unique song. The sound baffles, even the classical musicians.

Been listening and digesting this song for 5 years but I heard the delay in the vocal for the first time today!

How did they perfect it?? It's years of practice.... they still take vocal lessons that's how they perfected it these guys are the most dedicated passionate artist in the industry

EXO with MONSTER VOCALS! And ofcourse I'm here again thank you so much for this reaction will look forward for more!

Thanks for doing these breakdowns. It’s very informative. Really cool to hear all the stuff going on in the song that I didn’t notice before. EXO harmonizing is amazing and it was really neat when you pointed out when it was happening in places I didn’t even realize. I would love to see song breakdowns on EXOs Baekhyun solo work (Bambi) or the group SHINee

SM entertainment started the trainee system where they perfected their skills before debuting these amazing idols Main vocalists are top tier but the rest of the team would have either addictive baritone or honey glazed unique sound to each of them And yes, SM artists are insanely famous for their vocals. It’s so colorful in a group hence their harmonising is top notch

This is what got me hooked on EXO

True! Kpop loves to mix different genres into one song! *Kick It by NCT 127* is like metal mixed with hip hop and r&b!! And the concept is martial arts and is a tribute to Bruce Lee!

I just want to share this fact. EXO releases a new logo every comeback.

EXO is just different, unique. Even though I dislike SM Entertainment they will always have my respect when it comes to tutelage. They know how to create artists, singers, performers. Artists work ethic is so high they are in competition with themselves. The nostalgia in Kpop is the best part, 70's 80's 90's. Enjoy your journey.

I love this 😭 WE NEVER GET A BAD REACTION FROM ANYONE WHO REACTS TO EXO BE IT VOCALS OR LITERALLY ANYTHING 🙇🏽‍♀️

1:53 now that he mentioned that sound, I can't unhear it throughout the mv lmao. It's just like Tempo with the squeaking sound!

EXO are KINGS

I'm an EXO-L (EXO's fandom name) but I would like to request Taemin's ADVICE mv. It's very rare for me to get hooked to a song in the first listen but this song did it. I was wondering why. Thanks in advance, Sir Adam!

So far you are the only one i watch that review it meticulously...not only the visual. Review the things that usually dont notice by the viewers and reviewer. Thanks. I love EXO so much.

They were trained to sing while running on a treadmill and they sing while running around and carrying a wheel 😅 That's why their vocals are that good

Yey! Overdose, Wolf and Growl Pleeeease! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 For ballads: Miracles in December, For life, Universe ♥️♥️♥️

LDN noise other famous songs like Exo’s - Lighsaber, Lotto, Gravity, Damage Baekhyun - Cry for Love (one of exo main vocal solo track) Astro - Crazy Sexy Cool SuperM - dangerous woman

yeyy.. SM Vocalist not joke. They can sing all genres. Thank you already react EXO.🥰 please add in your list to react: Girls' Generation (SNSD) - I GOT A BOY EXO-MAMA EXO-DROP THAT

absolutely loving how you're on an EXO reaction train :") thank you so much

I'm doing a private live stream reaction and breakdown for EXO "Mama" on Sunday. I hope to see you there! Grab your ticket here: bit.ly/exomama

him: pointing out the bass pattern and explaining it really good me: waaaiiiit, I actually hear it

What song do you want me to break down next? The track with the most upvotes will be selected.

Ah yes, the cultural reset that queen Monster was, I was there and I will never forget that moment lol Thank you for such an insightful reaction, you are very knowledgeable! I really want to recommend their debut song MAMA (its from 2012) bcs its a very unique song, you'll be in for a ride, trust me. Also their b-side track Forever (from their album The War), it was produced by the same producers from Monster (LDN Noise). They also have brighter title tracks like Kokobop, Love Me Right and Call Me Baby if you wanna check it out! Overdose and Growl (the song that made them famous) are also amazing. Again thank you for the reaction!!!

you should watch EXO live performance and also the acoustic one

the high note part is Chen's. Chen he is the best male singer no3 from 2016-2018. And become the no1 best male K-Pop singer from 2019-2020 according to Korean music experts . He's the best male singer in EXO, he has the widest vocal range for a KPop tenor, From low notes to high notes Chen can easily do it. He is known as the king of ost and prince of ballad SM. He is very good at singing rock songs and ballad songs. He has two solo albums 1. April and flower, 2. Dear my dear. Now he is on military duty :)

It's good to see someone appreciate how great EXO & their music are~ You might want to check out their live performances

it'd be interesting to watch u trying explain wtf is happening in exo's debut song 'mama' and also 'wolf', red velvet zimzalabim or girls generation - i got a boy, those are some of the oddest songs i ever heard lol 🕴

I am very curious what will you say about the Exo’s debut song: MAMA! I’d like to see you react to this, it’s iconic!

U will never get bored with exo songs.. U r right they have a little bit of everything in one song!

17:02 adlibs. EXO songs ALWAYS have adlibs. and the king of adlibs, riffs and runs in EXO is D.O. (kyungsoo) his vocal is very R&B-ish

Seeing as you're a music producer you would probably be interested in checking out LDN Noise's Behind the Beat for EXO's Monster

Thank you for reacting to our loved EXO. I will go for "Cosmic Railway " and then Overdose

*Superhuman by NCT 127* next please!! 🦸‍♀️💚 This song is dubbed by Umu from ReacttotheK as the best kpop boy group song!! I also am looking forward to your interview with her!!

You should react to exo's side tracks : 1.Forever 2. Diamond

*EXO's 'Monster' is one of the tracks from their 3rd Full Album "EX'ACT"*

EXO is not only a group with vocalists dancers and rappers but members can produce, write lyrics, choreograph , act and much more..

Its Chen, the tenor vocalist you’re talking about. Chen is the main vocalist of Exo.

EXO's music is way ahead of their time. Monster was released in June 2016. Imagine that? Props, really not just to EXO but to everyone behind their music and MVs.

they learn to sing while running the threadmill, its part of the agencies training ^^

Thank you for reacting to EXO and for bringing my attention to so many things I didn't notice before. I am not a musician, never studied anything related to it, but I love to see your reactions because, thanks to your knowledge, I can appreciate EXO and everyone that's behind them even more! Please react to some of their live performances! Then you will really see why they are the vocal kings of k-pop. I don't know if you enjoy ballads or slower songs, but as mentioned by a lot of EXO-Ls, they can sing everything!

You really need to react to their live vocals... Thnx for reacting to EXO

EXO king of vocals in kpop never failed us. I stan the right group. Without proper promotions they've reaches this far. I'm so proud of them. Thank you for ur reaction. #EXO

Their live stage performance 100% more more better and fire cek it out.

not really important opinion but the "E" in EXO means EVERYTHING! ♥

Im soo proud of exo because of your review. They can literally do everything. Thank you for your review! I learned a lot. 😊

PLEASE DISECT EXO'S FOREVER AND GOING CRAZY! It's one of their songs in their album and I'M SURE you're gonna love dissecting it

I really like yor reviews the small details that you notice from their MVs Im already amaze wth their MVs and song but hearing a lot from you makes me really proud to stan these talented guys. Looking forward for more EXO MV's reviews. Yes all the members are really talented & their vocal is amazing they wont be kpop vocal king for no reason and btw the main rapper Chanyeol arent just a rapper/ singer and a dancer he can play differents instrument as well as Lay. Chen who hits the high note are same from the obsession.

Hearing people and professionals mention how great and proficient their vocals are over and over and over again never bores me and only proves just how legit they are. I've heard them sing live before, I wish you had that experience too!

I subscribed because of EXO. I’m not in a music industry but you really make me appreciate their work even more. On top of that I watch your video to improve my listening too. First time I listen and reading it, second time I don’t. So thank you

Thank you so much for this new reaction to EXO!! *^* Would be really awesome if you could react to Baekhyun (EXO lead vocal) - Bambi. The song is really amazing and I think it would be very interesting for you! :)

Listen to their song "Forever" i think it's musically and vocally insane. There's so much technicalities tho.

Yeah.. I've watched some reaction videos by youtuber and producer in korea said, they really admire SM's music skills and they wanna learn about SM's music & sound system because SM's music sound is really on another level.

EXO are know for being k-pop Power house. crazy dances? we have It! Hook melodys? We have It! Bop b-sides? We have it! Stage presence? We have It! Concept with storyline that set the standart for kpop? We have it. Really crazy vocals? We also have it! and many many more things Their are called kpop kings/vocal kings for a reason

Wow I'm so early!! First of all, Thank you so much ! Monster is my favorite EXO title track. 🥰 Girls' Generation (SNSD) - I GOT A BOY next pleaseee! The Bohemian Rhapsody of K-pop! I thought of this song immediately when I first heard Aespa's Next Level! SM really loves these kind of songs. (me too ❤)

please give any reactions about their B side songs in album Don’t Fight the Feelings like “Paradise” “Runaway” “No Matter” etc..

Thank you for reacting to monster. I've watched your other EXO reactions hoping that you would do monster, as it is my favorite EXo song. Chen kills the high notes while Chanyeol's rap in the bridge is one of the best raps that I've heard in any kpop song. You have me an even deeper appreciation for this song. Especially with the info about the delays 😊

Could we have Love shot tomorrow?

Oh, I wish he would have did a lyric video as well. Monster is one of Exo's most 🥵.

wow... i never realized it before... i watched/listened about 100 times lol it's really my fave and the reason why i like EXO.. they're talented!!

Yes, EXO is PERFECTION. Wait till you see their live performances. They are MONSTER when it comes to live performances, vocals, dancing skill and visuals.

For kpop they trained for years before debut. For EXO, they longest one who trained is their leader, Suho (Junmyeon) for 6 years and shortest were Baekhyun and Chen (Jongdae) for only 2 months, the two of them are also 2 of the 3 main vocalist. All of them are equally talented and support certain vocals to give color to each songs. They are claimed as Korea's vocal kings, even rappers and dancers sing in exo which not an ordinary occurence to kpop groups. Thank you for sipporting exo. Please enjoy it alot!!!

Another fantastic video, such a wealth of knowledge. It's nice to know what's going on production-wise. I see people suggesting Going Crazy and Forever and I wholeheartedly agree. A breakdown is needed!

Yes! That harmony @6:53 is like A Kiss from a Rose. Beautiful.

EXO is called "The Vocal Kings of Kpop" is not for nothing!!! 😎 When it comes to singing, vocalizing, vocal range, harmonization, etc. they are simply THE BEST!!! And what makes them even more SUPERIOR is that they sound as AMAZING when they perform live!!! You should really check out their live performances too! 🙏🏻 And also, EXO is THE MOST VERSATILE group exists, in every aspect, from their music, singing, genre, style, concept, to performance directions/productions. They're just PERFECT!

I’m probably going to be the only one asking you this since it’s not one of their most famous songs, but I’d like you to break down EXO debut song “MAMA”. It has a very particular structure and I’d love to see an analysis

It’s very interesting to learn about song structure. I’d like to hear your critique of another SM group, NCT127, who occasionally put out experimental songs. Perhaps Simon Says or even their debut song Fire Truck.

EXO - WOLF next please! This song is so grand and epic!! Very complex too. 🔥 oh btw, this was time when they were still a 12 member group. You might get confused because I knew that you were informed that there's only 9. (EXO originally had 12 members in the group, but currently have only 9)