XOXO (Exo album)

XOXO is the debut studio album by South Korean-Chinese boy band Exo, released on June 3, 2013, by SM Entertainment and distributed by KT Music. The album is a follow-up to the group's debut EP, Mama (2012). The album was released in two versions – a Korean "Kiss" edition and a Chinese "Hug" edition.[1]

XOXO
Studio album by
Exo
ReleasedJune 3, 2013
Recorded2011–2013
StudioSM Studios, Seoul
Genre
Length43:48
Language
LabelSM
Producer
Exo chronology
Mama
(2012)		 XOXO
(2013)		 Miracles in December
(2013)
Singles from XOXO
  1. "Wolf"
    Released: June 3, 2013
Repackage edition cover
Digital version cover
Singles from Growl
  1. "Growl"
    Released: August 5, 2013

Two singles were released from XOXO: "Wolf" and "Growl", the latter being the lead single off the album's repackaged version released on August 5, 2013. Both singles went to chart in the top ten of the Gaon Digital Chart, and "Growl" peaked at number 3 on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100. The album won Album of the Year at the 2013 Mnet Asian Music Awards and sold over 1 million copies, entering the list of the best-selling albums in Korea .[2]

Background

The album's lead single, "늑대와 미녀" ("The Wolf and the Beauty"), known in English as simply "Wolf", was composed by Will Simms, Nermin Harambašić from Dsign Music and SM Entertainment resident songwriter Kenzie. Kenzie also provided the lyrics for the Korean version of the song while Zhou Weijie penned the lyrics for the Mandarin Chinese version, "狼与美女". Yoo Young-jin provides background vocals. The dance for the song was choreographed by Tony Testa. In several shows such as Arirang's After School Club, the members explain that the dance has 3 elements: the trees and forest, the caves, and the wolf itself. Member Kris revealed that it took them approximately 3 to 4 months to get the choreography down, due to its level of difficulty. A demo version of the song was leaked in February 2013, in response to which producer Ryan Jhun later gave a warning to illegal downloaders on May 29, 2013, "...I will report it to FBI and service department for all links...".[3]

Several "developmental" tracks were produced and recorded in 2011 before Exo's official debut into the entertainment industry but never made it into the first EP Mama. Some of these tracks were included on the XOXO album, including "Black Pearl" and "My Lady".

In July 2013, a re-package version of 'XOXO', renamed 으르렁 (Growl), was developed with three additional tracks. The single from this edition was its title track "Growl" (으르렁).[4] The song was recorded in both Korean and Mandarin Chinese ("咆哮") versions. Composed by Hyuk Shin (Joombas), DK, Jordan Kyle, John Major, and Jarah Gibson, "Growl" is a dance-pop song with contemporary R&B and funk influences. The single was prematurely leaked online on July 27, when a video of the group practicing to the Korean version of the song was uploaded to various video-sharing websites.[5]

Release and promotion

May 30, 2013, the Korean and Chinese versions of the music video for "Wolf" were released,[6] and the song's first performance was made on Mnet M! Countdown.[7] Both song versions were released digitally on June 3, 2013, and on the same day, two physical formats of the entire album XOXO were also released in South Korea: a "Kiss" edition in Korean and a "Hug" edition in Mandarin.[8] After a performance on SBS Inkigayo on June 3, 2013, Exo visited and thanked 2,000 fans who had been waiting at a nearby park to meet them.[9] The first performance of the Mandarin version of the song was aired on a popular Chinese variety show Happy Camp in mid-June.[10]

The album reached over 300,000 collective pre-orders,[1] and peaked at number one on the Billboard World Album Chart a week after release.[11] As of December 2013, the Korean and Chinese versions of the album, as well as their respective repackaged versions, have collectively sold over 1,070,000 copies,[12][13][14] making it the best-selling album of the year in the K-pop industry. With over a million copies sold, XOXO also became Korea's best-selling album in 12 years.[2]

Awards
Awards and nominations for XOXO
Year Award Category Result Ref.
2013 Melon Music Awards Album of the Year Nominated [15]
Mnet Asian Music Awards BC UnionPay Album of the Year Won [16]
2014 Gaon Chart Music Awards Album of the Year – 3rd Quarter Won [17]
Golden Disc Awards Album Bonsang Won [18]
Album Daesang Won
iF Design Awards Best Packaging Design Won [19]
V Chart Awards Album of the Year – South Korea Won [20]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Naver.

XOXO (original edition)
Kiss edition (Korean version)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Wolf" (늑대와 미녀; Neukdae Wa Minyeo; lit. Wolf and the Beauty)
3:52
2."Baby Don't Cry" (인어의 눈물; Ineoui Nunmul; lit. A Mermaid's Tears) (sung by: Suho, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, D.O.)
  • Tesung Kim (Iconic Sounds)
  • Im Kwang-wook (Devine Channel)
  • Andrew Choi
  • Kalle Engström
  • Im Kwang-wook (Devine Channel)
3:55
3."Black Pearl" (검은 진주; Geomeun Jinju)
  • Joombas
3:08
4."Don't Go" (나비소녀; Nabi Sonyeo; lit. Butterfly Girl)
  • Seo Ji-eum
3:36
5."Let Out the Beast" (짐승을 보자; Jimseung-eul Boja)
  • John Hyunkyu Lee
  • Jay J. Kim
  • Chris Lightbody
  • Robert Steinmiller
  • Spencer Yaras
  • Taeko Carroll
  • Robert Peters
  • Charles Wiggins
  • Jay J. Kim
  • Chris Lightbody
  • Robert Steinmiller
  • Spencer Yaras
  • Taeko Carroll
  • Robert Peters
  • Charles Wiggins
3:27
6."3.6.5" (세 여섯 다섯; Se Yeoseos Daseos)
  • Hayden Bell
  • Christian Fast
  • Henrik Nordenback
  • Hayden Bell
  • Christian Fast
  • Henrik Nordenback
3:07
7."Heart Attack" (심장 마비; Simjang Mabi)
  • GoodWill
  • MGI
  • GoodWill
  • MGI
3:39
8."Peter Pan" (피터팬; Piteopaen)
  • Hong Ji-yoo
3:56
9."Baby" (아가; Aga)
4:00
10."My Lady" (내 여자; Nae Yeoja)
  • Kim Boo-min
3:33
11."Wolf (EXO-K version)" (늑대와 미녀; Neugdaewa Minyeo; lit. Wolf and the Beauty)
3:52
12."狼与美女 (Wolf)" (Láng Yǔ Měinǚ) (Trans.: Wolf and the Beauty)
3:52
Total length:43:48
Hug edition (Chinese version)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."狼与美女 (Wolf) (EXO Version)" (traditional Chinese: 狼與美女; pinyin: Láng Yǔ Měinǚ) (Trans.: Wolf and the Beauty)
3:52
2."Baby Don't Cry (人鱼的眼泪)" (traditional Chinese: 人魚的眼淚; pinyin: Rényú de Yǎnlèi) (Trans.: A Mermaid's Tears)
  • Tesung Kim (Iconic Sounds)
  • Im Kwang-wook (Devine Channel)
  • Andrew Choi
  • Kalle Engström
  • Im Kwang-wook (Devine Channel)
3:55
3."Black Pearl (黑珍珠)"
  • Joombas
3:08
4."蝴蝶少女 (Don't Go)" (Húdié Shàonǚ) (Trans.: Butterfly Girl)
3:36
5."Let Out the Beast (让出兽)"
  • Charles Wiggins
  • Chris Lightbody
  • Jay J. Kim
  • Robert Peters
  • Robert Steinmiller
  • Spencer Yaras
  • Taeko Carroll
  • Charles Wiggins
  • Chris Lightbody
  • Jay J. Kim
  • Robert Peters
  • Robert Steinmiller
  • Spencer Yaras
  • Taeko Carroll
3:27
6."3.6.5 (三 六 五)"
  • Hayden Bell
  • Christian Fast
  • Henrik Nordenback
  • Hayden Bell
  • Christian Fast
  • Henrik Nordenback
3:07
7."Heart Attack (心脏病发作)"
  • MGI
  • GoodWill
  • MGI
  • GoodWill
3:39
8."彼得潘 (Peter Pan)" (Bǐdépān)
3:56
9."Baby (第一步)" (Dìyī Bù) (Trans.: The First Step)
4:00
10."My Lady (我的女士)"
3:33
11."狼与美女 (Wolf) (EXO-M version)" (Trans.: Wolf and the Beauty)
3:52
12."Wolf(EXO Version)" (늑대와 미녀; Neukdae Wa Minyeo; lit. Wolf and the Beauty)
3:52
Total length:43:48

Growl (repackaged edition)
Kiss edition (Korean version)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Growl" (으르렁; Eureureong)
3:29
2."Wolf" (늑대와 미녀; Neukdae Wa Minyeo; lit. Wolf and the Beauty)
3:52
3."XOXO (Kisses & Hugs)"
3:08
4."Lucky" (운이 좋은; Wooni Joheun)
3:25
5."Baby Don't Cry" (인어의 눈물; Ineoui Nunmul; lit. A Mermaid's Tears) (sung by: Suho, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, D.O.)
  • Tesung Kim (Iconic Sounds)
  • Im Kwang-wook (Devine Channel)
  • Andrew Choi
  • Kalle Engstrom
  • Im Kwang-wook (Devine Channel)
3:55
6."Black Pearl" (검은 진주; Geomeun Jinju)
  • Seo Ji-eum
  • Joombas
3:08
7."Don't Go" (나비소녀; Nabi Sonyeo; lit. Butterfly Girl)
  • Seo Ji-eum
3:36
8."Let Out the Beast" (짐승을 보자; Jimseung-eul Boja)
  • John Hyunkyu Lee
  • Jay J. Kim
  • Chris Lightbody
  • Robert Steinmiller
  • Spencer Yaras
  • Taeko Carroll
  • Robert Peters
  • Charles Wiggins
  • Jay J. Kim
  • Chris Lightbody
  • Robert Steinmiller
  • Spencer Yaras
  • Taeko Carroll
  • Robert Peters
  • Charles Wiggins
3:27
9."3.6.5" (세 여섯 다섯; Se Yeoseos Daseos)
  • Hayden Bell
  • Christian Fast
  • Henrik Nordenback
  • Hayden Bell
  • Christian Fast
  • Henrik Nordenback
3:07
10."Heart Attack" (심장 마비; Simjang Mabi)
  • GoodWill
  • MGI
  • GoodWill
  • MGI
3:39
11."Peter Pan" (피터팬; Piteopaen)
  • Hong Ji-yoo
3:56
12."Baby" (아가; Aga)
4:00
13."My Lady" (내 여자; Nae Yeoja)
  • Kim Boo-min
3:33
14."Growl (EXO-K version)" (으르렁; Eureureong)
  • Seo Ji-eum
3:27
Total length:49:31
Hug edition (Chinese version)
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."咆哮 (Growl)" (pinyin: Páoxiāo)
3:27
2."狼与美女 (Wolf) (EXO Version)" (Trans.: Wolf and the Beauty)
3:52
3."XOXO (Kisses & Hugs)"
3:06
4."Lucky (幸运)"
3:23
5."Baby Don't Cry (人鱼的眼泪)" (traditional Chinese: 人魚的眼淚; pinyin: Rényú de Yǎnlèi) (Trans.: A Mermaid's Tears)
  • Tesung Kim (Iconic Sounds)
  • Im Kwang-wook (Devine Channel)
  • Andrew Choi
  • Kalle Engstrom
  • Tesung Kim (Iconic Sounds)
  • Im Kwang-wook (Devine Channel)
3:55
6."Black Pearl (黑珍珠)"
  • Joombas
3:08
7."蝴蝶少女 (Don't Go)" (pinyin: Húdié Shàonǚ) (Trans.: Butterfly Girl)
3:36
8."Let Out the Beast (让出兽)"
  • Jay J. Kim
  • Robert Peters
  • Spencer Yaras
  • Taeko Carroll
  • Charles Wiggins
  • Chris Lightbody
  • Robert Steinmiller
  • Jay J. Kim
  • Robert Peters
  • Spencer Yaras
  • Taeko Carroll
  • Charles Wiggins
  • Chris Lightbody
  • Robert Steinmiller
3:27
9."3.6.5 (三 六 五)"
  • Hayden Bell
  • Christian Fast
  • Henrik Nordenback
  • Hayden Bell
  • Christian Fast
  • Henrik Nordenback
3:07
10."Heart Attack (心脏病发作)"
  • GoodWill
  • MGI
  • GoodWill
  • MGI
3:39
11."彼得潘 (Peter Pan)" (pinyin: Bǐdépān)
3:56
12."Baby (第一步)" (pinyin: Dìyī Bù) (Trans.: The First Step)
4:00
13."My Lady (我的女士)"
3:33
14."咆哮 (Growl) (EXO-M Version)"
3:27
Total length:49:31

Charts
Korean and Chinese versions
Chart Peak position
XOXO
Kiss		 XOXO
Hug		 Growl
Kiss		 Growl
Hug
South Korea Weekly Albums (Gaon)[21] 1 2 1 2
South Korea Monthly Albums (Gaon)[22] 1 2 1 2
South Korea Yearly Albums – 2013[23] 3 6 1 7
South Korea Yearly Albums – 2014 53 83 15 67
South Korea Yearly Albums – 2015 — — 71 —
Japan Weekly Albums (Oricon) 9 18 — —
Japan Monthly Albums (Oricon) 18 36 — —
Combined version
Chart Peak
position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[24] 23
US World Albums (Billboard)[25] 1

Sales

Release history
Edition Date Region Format Label Catalog
Original June 3, 2013 Worldwide / South Korea[26][27] CD, digital download SM Entertainment, KT Music SMK0242
SMK0243
July 19, 2013 Taiwan[28] Avex AVKCD80280/A
AVKCD80280/B
July 27, 2013 Philippines Universal Records SMK0242
SMK0243
June 12, 2013 Thailand S.M. True
Repackage August 5, 2013 Worldwide / South Korea SM Entertainment, KT Music SMK0275
SMK0276
September 13, 2013 Taiwan Avex Taiwan AVKCD80280/C
AVKCD80280/D
August 16, 2013 Thailand S.M. True

References
  1. "EXO finally drop their 1st full album, 'XOXO', was it everything you waited for?". 2013. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  2. "EXO just a few records shy from selling one million copies of XOXO". Kpop Starz. October 14, 2013. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  3. "EXO's producer gives illegal downloaders a warning". Allkpop. May 29, 2013. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  4. sallice10 (July 25, 2013). "EXO to release repackaged album and gear up for follow-up promotions with 'Growl'". Allkpop. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  5. "EXO's 'Growl' dance practice video leaked". ttwigo. July 27, 2013. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  6. "EXO releases "Wolf" MV!". Allkpop. May 30, 2013. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  7. "EXO to become "Wolf" boys for their title track + first comeback stage on May 30th". Seoul: Allkpop. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
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  11. Addy (June 14, 2013). "Chinese-Korean boy band, Exo, reaches No. 1 on Billboard World Album Chart". JayneStars. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  12. "EXO becomes the first million seller in twelve years!". Allkpop. December 27, 2013. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  13. "EXO-M @ Weibo". Weibo (in Chinese). October 14, 2013. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  14. Jeon Su Mi (September 3, 2013). "EXO achieves major feat with 740,000 albums sold". Mwave E-News World. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  15. '멜론뮤직어워드' 버스커버스커 대상 2연패 성공 [Busker Busker wins Grand Prize for 2 consecutive years at the 'Melon Music Awards']. Newsen (in Korean). November 14, 2013. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  16. Chung, Ah-young (November 24, 2013). "MAMA: gala of int'l stars". The Korea Times. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  17. Park, Jung Sun (February 13, 2014). [가온차트 K-POP 어워드] 2013년 하반기, 엑소가 점령했다. MBN Star (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2019 – via MK.
  18. "History". Golden Disc Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  19. Lee, Eun-jung (January 23, 2014). SM, 독일 'iF 디자인 어워드'서 4개 작품 수상. Yonhap News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 18, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  20. "2014 YinYueTai V Chart Awards Winners" (in Chinese). YinYueTai. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  21. Weekly peaks:
  22. Monthly peaks:
    • "2013년 06월 Album Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
    • "2013년 8월 Album Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. "2013년 Album Chart". Gaon. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. "Exo Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 14, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  25. "Exo Chart History - World Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  26. "엑소(EXO) - 정규 1집 XOXO [Kiss Ver.]" (in Korean). music.aladin.co.kr. June 3, 2013. Archived from the original on August 7, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  27. "엑소(EXO) - 정규 1집 XOXO [Hug Ver.]" (in Korean). music.aladin.co.kr. June 3, 2013. Archived from the original on August 7, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  28. "EXO - XOXO (Kiss&Hug)」[Hug版/中文版]" (in Chinese). G-Music. July 19, 2013. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
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