Baekhyun (EXO) has a knack for doing the unexpected and disrupting everyone’s expectations. And if the new teasers for his upcoming album, “Delight” is any indication, this habit isn’t going to break anytime soon. The concept of this album isn’t perfectly clear. Just when I think I’ve grasped the concept of the album, that idea gets turned on its head. But that is exactly the point. “Delight” is ever bit as ambiguous and varied as the man himself.
EXO-Ls are in for a treat as Baekhyun takes on, not just one concept, but three different concepts. Suffice it to say, our normal concept of candy is being stretched and reinterpreted. The “cinnamon” version of “Delight” is the “spicy” seductive version of Baekhyun, the “mint” version, is the cool, fresh Baekhyun.
The “honey” version showcases the sweet and pure aspect of Baekhyun’s personality. Interestingly, honey has antibacterial or purifying properties. But the “honey” version isn’t simply sweet. Everything is complex. The “Honey” teaser images actually look quite unhappy. There is this sense of lost childhood or someone who isn’t as naive as he looks.
None of these concepts fit into a neat little box; rather the three concepts share some overlapping themes. By including the lollipop and pastel colors, the cool “mint” concept teaser images adopt some playful elements. The spicy “cinnamon” teaser image is seductive, but with the candy red blush, it also has tinges of naivety.
In some aspects, “Delight” is an expansion of EXO’s “Obsession” where we were introduced to Baekhyun and X-Baekhyun. Two sides of Baekhyun’s personality. As Kpop fans, we constantly talk about duality in our idols, but in “Delight” we are dealing with tripleality+. “Delight” expresses the many facets of Baekhyun as an artist and a person. Most idols are in reality deeper than this black and white concept of duality. They’re human and thus have so many other aspects to them than simply their off stage persona versus their on stage persona. And I love how “Delight” is exploring, subverting and expanding on this idea.
Baekhyun is like a box of chocolates.
You truly don’t know what you are going to get. Baekhyun can be very playful and soft, but he is also capable of being strong and serious when needed. And while Baekhyun is very cute, he can likewise be chic and cool. Then he has this very innocent quality to him, but there is this sensual side buried underneath that.
And honestly, I’ve stopped trying to put labels on EXO because musically they tend to span the entire spectrum. EXO as solo artists, are no different. “Delight” is just as complicated and multifaceted as Baekhyun. Baekhyun possesses a musical fearlessness; he is willing to try any concept and he can pull off any concept. He’s never afraid to experiment or try something different or risky. And honestly, at this point he can just do whatever he wants!
Baekhyun’s “Sweet” teaser mood sampler video is so nuanced and multidimensional just like Baekhyun. There are so many different moods in the “Sweet” teaser. I was expecting the “Sweet” teaser to have a cute concept. This is cute and sweet. But it is also dark, pure, vulnerable, lonely, eerie, melancholy, and seductive. And somehow Baekhyun manages to pull off all these different concepts simultaneously! Where’s my man’s Oscar???
This is all part of the attraction of Baekhyun. The title track “Candy” compares Baekhyun’s many charms to sweets. Baekhyun’s personality is in constant flux, and that is part of his appeal. Thus, I am happy to see how “Delight” is showcasing Baekhyun’s many flavors.