[151218] EXO release Japanese version of 'EXO x Star Wars' track 'Lightsaber'

First we were blessed with the original Korean MV for EXO's 'Star Wars' song "Lightsaber", then a Chinese version, and now a Japanese version too! Don't you love how you can enjoy the same EXO song in several different languages?

It's same 'EXO x Star Wars' MV as the Korean and Chinese version, and EXO sounds pretty good in Japanese too.

Source: Allkpop

[151215] 'Star Wars' Meets K-Pop: How EXO Awakened The Force In Asia

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - DECEMBER 09: (L to R) Actor John Boyega, actress Daisy Ridley, director J.J. Abrams and actor Adam Driver attend pose for their selfie with South Korean boy band EXO during the event for fans ahead of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' South Korea premiere at the Octagon on December 9, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios) (Photo : Chung Sung-Jun | Getty Images Entertainment)

One of the most popular franchises ever is set to release a new film, and the world is going crazy over it. So who is better to promote the latest "Star Wars" movie than K-pop's very own EXO?

"Star Wars: Episode VII- The Force Awakens" is set to be released in South Korea on Dec. 17, a day before its release in the United States. Ahead of the release, there have been some heavy promotions going on around the world. With Hollywood looking overseas, particularly towards Asia, to make major profits at box offices, tapping into K-pop's popularity to spread the word is a done deal.

Due to EXO's immense popularity in China, Japan, and Korea, it's no surprise that Disney looked to the group for a collaboration; anything featuring the nine-member boy band is sure to garner the attention of young movie-goers more so than any sort of traditional ad campaign.

We've seen Disney focus ad campaigns in South Korea before, including filming part of the latest "Avengers" film in Seoul. The company has worked with EXO's agency, SM Entertainment before; the Korean "Mickey Mouse Club" features SM Entertainment's trainees and is hosted by Leeteuk, the leader of the record label's successful pop act Super Junior.

Since the collaboration was announced, EXO released a music video for the song "Lightsaber," featuring the popular "Star Wars" weapon and Jedis, and also appeared in a Vogue photoshoot featuring "Star Wars" elements.

When it comes to popularity, there are very few things in the world as popular as "Star Wars." "Star Wars" is known for dedicated fans, but so is K-pop.

K-pop is no stranger to ad campaigns making the use of idols. One of the most well known K-pop ads was the campaign for LG's Cyon phone via the song "Lollipop," which featured Big Bang and introduced 2NE1 to Korean audiences for the first time. More and more films are making use of K-pop stars as promotional ambassadors, but EXO is the first to get involved with a film of such prominence.

By reaching out to EXO's already made fandom and sexual appeal, "Star Wars" has effectively gained the attention of millions of K-pop fans around the world; 14 days after its released on YouTube, EXO's "Lightsaber music video" had already been seen nearly 4 million times (the music video is now nearing 6 million).

The last "Star Wars" film, "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" was released in 2005; EXO's Asian fanbase is typically considered to primarily include middle school and high school students, who have probably never seen "Star Wars" in theaters before. EXO's fans are known for being extremely loyal, and have led to countless sales records by the group.

By taking EXO and making them brand ambassadors, Disney has effectively unleashed EXO's fans on "Star Wars" ticket sales and promotional products, just to show their support of EXO.

EXO's latest tour, "EXO From EXOPLANET #2- The EXO'luXion" has sold out over 25 stops around Asia, with over 200,000 people in attendance, highlighting their popularity.

Taking one of Asia's most popular acts and transforming them into a promotional campaign for "Star Wars" ensures that younger audience-goers who are being introduced to the franchise for the first time can be eased into "Star Wars" via their own personal favorites, EXO.

The new song is similar enough to EXO's latest music, particularly their "EXODUS" album from earlier this year, that fans who may be disinterested in the "Star Wars" franchise and promotions will eat up the trap-heavy K-pop "Lightsaber."

Promoting "Star Wars" through techniques that have helped EXO in the past, like plot-driven music videos and glossy photo spreads, means that "Star Wars" is not only getting EXO's fans, but hijacking (in the best way possible) the K-pop phenomena that has taken the world by storm.

Along with their promotional power and raging fandom, EXO also debuted with a concept that placed them solidly in the "Star Wars" universe- EXO's members were purported to be supernatural aliens from an exoplanet who came to Earth.

Source: kpopstarz

[151211] EXO come out with Chinese version of 'EXO x Star Wars' track 'Lightsaber'

EXO have released the Chinese version of their collaboration project for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'. 

Just like the Korean version, the boys sing "Lightsaber" as Baekhyun, Kai, and Sehun put on their best action faces. Baekhyun looks ready to battle, Sehun speeds away on a motorcycle, and Kai recovers after a fight. It also features a dubstep dance break by Kai!

Source: Allkpop

[151111] Choreographer Lee Wonhee’s Instagram Update [w/ KAI]

A video posted by JackWonheeLee (@jack0220) on Nov 10, 2015 at 11:53pm PST

#exo #kai #lightsaber #dance #mychoreo #but 춤이거의안나옴ㅋㅋㅋㅠㅠ
"#exo #kai #lightsaber #dance #mychoreo #but the choreo is barely in there kekekeㅠㅠ”

Source: jack0220

Translation by: Dailyexo

[151112] EXO-L show their dedication through streaming charts

After the release of EXO’s promotional song “Lightsaber,” fans of the group showed their dedication by helping the group’s songs take over music charts. 

Along with helping “Lightsaber” soar to number two on the charts, EXO-L showed their dedication by pushing the group’s other songs back onto the charts as well. Recent title tracks “Call Me Baby” and “Love Me Right” rose back up into the top 30 online, and even side tracks were able to crack the top 100. At news of this, netizens expressed their feelings of shock at the fandom’s abilities, with many comments complimenting the SM Entertainment group and their fans’ dedication.

• [+ 331, – 14] This is the limit of what we can do we can get other songs into charts range at night and we can get a song up to #20 but we really can’t get it to #1 by ourselves don’t think EXO’s achievements are just because of streaming
• [+ 310, – 8] EXO-Ls are mind blowing. If it gets past 6 AM all songs in their album comes into charts and sometimes Call Me Baby is predicted at 2nd place ㅋㅋㅋ. And Lightsaber is a promotional song but it’s still at #2.
• [+ 284, – 5] All the black albums are 8 months old but they’re all within chart range ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ.

Source: Pann | Koreaboo

[151111] EXO's 'Star Wars' Single 'Lightsaber' Strengthens SM Entertainment's Relationship With Disney

EXO members Baekhyun, Sehun, and Kai channel the mysticism of "the force" in the music video for the special collaboration single, "Lightsaber."

On November 10, SM Entertainment simultaneously released the digital single and video for the highly-anticipated project, which further solidifies the relationship between the K-pop agency and Walt Disney Pictures.

The popular EXO trio weighed in on their responsibilities as publicity ambassadors of the latest installment of the franchise, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," during a recent episode of KBS' "Entertainment Weekly."

"I'm really happy," said Kai. Honestly, I don't know the reason why we were chosen."

While his statement is modest, the "Star Wars" collaboration project is likely the result of a budding relationship between SM and Disney, following their recent reboot of the classic variety show, "The Mickey Mouse Club."

In the video for "Lightsaber," Kai, Sehun, and Baekhyun do not use the force to retrieve their lightsabers but appear in everyday situations before embarking on an epic battle.

Fans anticipated footage that would encompass the supernatural backstory that marked early EXO releases like "MAMA" and "HISTORY." However, "Lightsaber" channels the grimy aesthetic of "Star Wars" staples like the Cantina and references the film noir mystique that surrounded iconic heroes like Hans Solo.

"Lightsaber" evokes also the feel of the "Star Wars" franchise, through the placement of witty signage like, "No Lightsabers Beyond This Point."

The single, which is available to international audiences through iTunes, is an uptempo dance track which demonstrates a new journey for "Star Wars," as the franchise attempts to appeal to K-pop fans. 

Source: kpopstarz

[151110] EXO flash lightsabers for 'EXO x Star Wars' collaboration project

EXO have released a special collaboration video for the upcoming movie 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'. 

The boys sing "Lightsaber" as Baekhyun, Kai, and Sehun put on their best action faces. The short film suggests that things are about to go down and even features a dance break by Kai.

Source: Allkpop

[151108] EXO Gets You Hyped for “Star Wars” With “Lightsaber” Teaser

EXO has dropped the first teaser for their exciting collaboration with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”!

As previously announced, EXO is set to drop a single entitled “Lightsaber” and a special film to promote the film ahead of its release in Korea. The first video teaser for the collaboration project was released on November 9 at midnight KST.

Based on the teaser, “Lightsaber” will be an upbeat electronic track with both epic rap breaks and alluring vocals. The impeccably filmed video features members Kai, Sehun, and Baekhyun, who seem to be getting ready for an intense lightsaber battle, naturally inspired by the movie.

SM Entertainment and Walt Disney will reportedly collaborate for additional projects related to the upcoming “Star Wars” film which will open in Korean theaters on December 17.

Source: Soompi

[151108] EXO releases teaser for 'Lightsaber,' a collaboration project with 'Star Wars'

Internationally acknowledged idol group EXO has reported to be collaborating with 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' and have released the teaser video for their upcoming project track, "Lightsaber"!

According to the reports, SM Entertainment has confirmed that the boys of EXO will be appearing in a promotional music video of the upcoming film. "Lightsaber" is also revealed to be a digital single.

Meanwhile, the new 'Star Wars' movie is scheduled to premiere in Korean theaters on December 17 while fans can expect the digital single "Lightsaber" to release prior to the premiere. 

Source: Allkpop

[151107] EXO Talk “Star Wars” Collaboration and Future Goals on “Entertainment Weekly”

On the November 7 episode of KBS2 TV‘s “Entertainment Weekly,” EXO members Baekhyun, Sehun, and Kai talk about their upcoming collaboration with “Star Wars.”

The reporter asks them, “I’m curious about your impressions on being selected as the public relations ambassadors for ‘Star Wars.’”

Kai replies, “I’m really happy. It’s an honor [to be chosen]. But honestly, I don’t know the reason why we were chosen. Even without us doing anything, isn’t it an incredibly popular movie already?”

On their future goals, Baekhyun adds, “We hope to stay together and continue on this path. It’s a simple but important goal.”

Meanwhile, EXO is set to release a new digital single called “Lightsaber” and appear in a short film as part of a collaboration project between SM Entertainment and Walt Disney.

Source: Naver | Asiae | Soompi

[151105] EXO to Release “Lightsaber” Single and Film for Collaboration With “Star Wars”

Yesterday, a mysterious teaser image was released by Star Wars Korea Facebook by showing a group silhouette under the upcoming film logo “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Many guessed the group to be EXO, and they were right.

It was announced today that EXO will be collaborating the “Star Wars” to release a new digital single called “Lightsaber,” as well as a collaboration film. The EXO members will appear in this collaboration film.

In addition to the single and film, fans are promised more collaboration projects from Walt Disney and SM Entertainment related to the upcoming movie .

SM Entertainment and Walt Disney have previously worked together, with SM producing the Korean version of “The Mickey Mouse Club” show featuring its SMRookies.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will be released in Korea on December 17.

Source: Hankooki | Soompi

[151105] EXO to release new collaboration track 'Lightsaber' for 'Star Wars'!

Remember when 'Star Wars' teased that a certain K-pop group would be releasing a collaboration MV? The silhouettes of the picture used was pretty obvious that it was EXO, and now it's been officially confirmed to be them!

And an MV won't be their only collaboration for the new movie, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'. Their content collaboration will include the digital single "Lightsaber", a 'collaboration film', and other various projects related to the film.

People are getting very excited for this collaboration between SM Entertainment and Walt Disney Company Korea, mainly of course, because it involves EXO!

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' premieres December 17 in Korea.

Source: Allkpop