6 Performances That Proves EXO's D.O. Is A Vocal Powerhouse In Music

Beautiful riffs, breathtaking high notes, and a vocal tone that is just as comforting as a warm blanket on a cold day, EXO's D.O is one of the best vocalists in K-Pop and here are some of our favorite performances by him.

Michael Albert, Kpopmap Editor
3 min to read · Published : Jan 21, 2022

6 Performances That Proves EXO's D.O. Is A Vocal Powerhouse In Music

SM Entertainment

EXO's D.O. has often been duly recognized as one of the best vocalists in the K-Pop music industry. His rich tenor vocal tone, his incredibly soaring high notes, his unmatchable runs and riffs, and his mastered and unique technique are musical traits that have clearly set him apart from a long list of K-Pop vocalists.

Here are some of our favorite performances that we believe make him one of the true vocal powerhouses in not just K-Pop but also the global music scene.

1. 'Rose'

'Rose' is one of the songs off his debut solo album, "Empathy" and one of the best K-Pop songs released in 2021. His signature honey-like tone, his beautiful precision, and his clarity are one of the key reasons why this song is one of our favorites. His vocals on this song have a magnetic pull that draws you in emotionally and creates a sort of intimate connection with the song. While listening to this song, it almost feels like it's a one-on-one performance session with D.O. as it feels like he is singing the song especially for you, making the whole listening experience even more wholesome.

2. 'That's Okay'

There is a sense of warmth, comfort, and calm that is attributed to D.O.'s vocals. It is not forced, it is not rushed, it is not overwhelming, it is almost like a refreshing breeze that comes swiftly to you after a hot day under the sun. Many might call this a healing song because of his voice and they would be right. It gives off a feeling of reassurance, almost saying the words "Friend, you are amazing and you are doing so well, everything will be okay, just keep going". It serves as a gentle and positive reminder for everyone, especially during these times. Thank You D.O. for this performance.

3. 'Billionaire' Cover

Alongside fellow EXO member ChanYeol, D.O. thrilled the cast and viewers of the variety show "Knowing Bros" with this brilliant and beautiful rendition of Travie McCoy's hit song, 'Billionaire' ft Bruno Mars. D.O.'s vocals were once again outstanding and his flow with ChanYeol shows just how much of a talented musician he truly is as he effortlessly matches and complements ChanYeol's tone creating a perfect harmony that made our hearts melt with pure love and adoration.

4. 'I'm Gonna Love You' ft Wonstein

Is there a genre D.O. doesn't excel in? We think not. This is a classic pop song but with D.O.'s vocals, it added another layer that made it even more endearing, unique, and especially pleasing to listen to. Who makes a pop song sound so good, vibey, and yet so emotional, only D.O. that's who.

5. 'Open Arms'

Now we all know EXO has one of the strongest vocal lines in the K-Pop music industry, fans have even said their rapper could sing on the same level as many main vocalists of other groups, but for the sake of this article, we are going to focus solely on D.O. He starts off this performance with his beautiful and exceptionally trademark runs and alongside other members, proceeded to serenade us with a wonderful vocal performance filled with high notes and harmonies. One thing about this performance is how clear and distinct D.O.'s pronunciations are, which is something that he is recognized for and which many music lovers admire about his songs.

6. 'I Miss You'

Just like the caption says "He is different" and fans can totally agree with that acclaim. What starts off as a funny video immediately turns somber and emotional once D.O. starts singing. The quiet that ensues when he starts singing befits the reaction that should be derived from a D.O. performance, "stay still, be quiet, listen and enjoy." Despite the pranks being played by other cast members on the show, D.O.'s unfazed attitude just proves how much of a professional he truly is and when he hits those high notes, a rush of excitement and a feeling of wonder surely courses through your veins.

Are you a fan of EXO's D.O.? Did we share some of your favorite performances? If not, tell us in the comment section and we will be sure to check them out.

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KPOP STORIES

Liberating vs Shameful: An Analysis On Skin Exposure For Male And Female Idols

The K-Pop world addresses many topics but there's one uncomfortable discussion that severely needs addressing, gender inequality.

Kianna, Staff Writer
4 min to read · Published : Apr 30, 2024

Liberating vs Shameful: An Analysis On Skin Exposure For Male And Female Idols

Calvin Klein

The progression of K-Pop has been a nonstop constant in today's trends and social media. New groups are debuting by the minute and gathering the attention of millions worldwide. K-Pop fans are known as some of the world's strongest fanbases, and the music genre has seen unprecedented success like never before.

With the rise of K-Pop, a concerning topic is discussed within the community. Gender inequality is rampant between many male and female idols. In K-pop, the treatment of male and female idols regarding skin exposure often reflects broader societal norms and expectations around gender and modesty. When it comes to female and male idols, the picture-perfect ideology that is pushed onto them turns out harmful when stepping out of that comfort zone. The unfairness of these ideologies has been further perpetuated as groups continue to debut. Girl groups are supposed to be "innocent" and cute, nearly crossing the line of emulating a young girl. Boy groups are displayed as cool and masculine, showing off their boyhood and manliness in various forms.

One of the topics under the umbrella of gender inequality is skin exposure between the two genders. Female idols tend to face jarring restrictions when it comes to skin exposure. From Calvin Klein campaigns to the "MAMA Awards", the responses to opposite genders exposing their skin have been drastically different. We're going to look at cases where treatment over skin exposure was drastically different for female idols compared to their male counterparts.

A Simple Question Turned To Body Shaming And Hate

Calvin Klein is a major name in the fashion industry. They're best characterized by their famous underwear and denim items. Celebrities are common ambassadors for the company and recently, more idols have participated in their campaigns. Some notable names include BLACKPINK's Jennie and BTS's JungKook. Calvin Klein took to X to ask followers who they believed should be in a Calvin Klein campaign to the pleasure of many K-Pop fans. The two idols were top names mentioned in the comments due to their captivating physique and global status. However, people noticed when it came to Jennie there was an influx of body shaming and disparaging comments. It got so severe, Calvin Klein's X account stepped in to make a statement.

We embrace this platform as an inclusive environment for individualism and self-expression. At Calvin Klein, we tolerate everything except intolerance. Please be respectful towards each other or your comment may be removed.

— calvinklein (@CalvinKlein) January 31, 2023

It's interesting to see this as many male idols have participated in campaigns but did not receive much backlash, such as WonHo and EXO's Lay Zhang. They were often praised due to their muscular and lean frames. While JungKook was not sparred from hateful comments and faced scrutiny, Jennie was doused with an influx of hate and even in her previous works with the luxury brand, she was bashed for showing off her body. If it's sexy and desired by male K-Pop idols, why do female K-Pop idols get bombarded with hate?

Calvin Klein's Official Twitter

Same Situation, Different Headlines for "2018 MAMA Awards"

One of the most infamous cases of skin exposure is between MAMAMOO's HwaSa and WonHo. During the "2018 MAMA Awards", both idols took to the stage to give off powerful performances. HwaSa dawned a striking red leather one-piece, one that imitated a swimsuit. The singer received many mixed reactions to her choice of styling. Many netizens felt she took it a bit too far, having a good portion of her bottom half exposed.

They even went as far as to call her embarrassing because of the outfit choice. The situation grew to such a large scale that RBW Entertainment made a statement, expressing that they didn't expect the attention and the outfit matched the song. HwaSa never shies away from expressing her inner femininity and sexy confidence. She's always been known to embrace diverse styles that express what she is all about, unwavering, seductive, confidence. Unfortunately, netizens do not share the same beliefs as her.

Ironically, at the same "2018 MAMA Awards" WonHo displayed an impressive performance and showed off his muscular physique during it. The headlines and reactions were exceptionally different and it's almost ridiculous. He received many headlines stating "Masculine stage unfolded" whereas HwaSa's articles focused more on the controversy regarding her outfit.

Even with her amazing vocals and breathtaking performance, it was overshadowed due to her outfit. WonHo is prided as a masculine, sexy idol in the industry. He has numerous shoots, performances, and videos where he exposes his body. It's no coincidence that WonHo is praised for his confidence whereas HwaSa is shamed for hers, despite both idols having sexier concepts. This can be seen as blatant double standards in the idol world. The perpetual stereotypes put on female idols are why HwaSa is constantly shamed and claimed an embarrassment to the genre.

Fans' Opinions?

When asked about the difference when a male and female idol deciding to show more skin, fans expressed their disdain over the topic. They believe there is a clear line between praising and chastizing when it comes to skin exposure in K-Pop.

Most kpop fans love seeing male idols show their abs and fawn over it but if a female idol's shirt is too low cut and shows cleavage people lose their minds. The double standard doesn’t make any sense.
Alexia, USA

Fans want their girl groups to stay wholesome and cute, while their male idol counterparts get to explore risqué and dark concepts. It would be interesting to see the gender and age demographic of male and female idols. I want to see how each fanbase treats groups about what they wear, say, and do.
Landy, South Korea

It's hypocritical to shame female artists for wearing "revealing " clothing and then say nothing when male idols go on stage and walk around with no shirts on. They even encourage the male idols, asking for shirtless pics during fan calls, and talking about their bodies but then get upset if a female idol wears a short skirt or scandalous top during promotions.
LeAndre, USA

While this debate is constantly talked about, female idols still choose to break away from standard labels. Girl groups and soloists are experimenting with mature concepts and riskier outfits, pushing back against the strictness. Additionally, there are instances where male idols faced criticism for overly revealing outfits or behavior, highlighting the evolving conversations around gender and representation in K-Pop. What are your thoughts about the gender inequality in K-Pop? Do you believe there's unfairness when it comes to skin exposure? Let us know on X!