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On November 30, 2024, former EXO member Luhan thrilled his fans with a live broadcast on Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok. As he interacted with his followers, he decided to play two special songs that brought nostalgia to long-time EXO fans: the group's winter classic The First Snow and D.O.'s solo track That's Okay.
Luhan's livestream took fans on a trip down memory lane, evoking a flood of emotions, especially for those who have supported him since he departed from EXO in 2014. Despite the tension, Luhan has maintained his affection with his former group, as reflected in his live broadcast.
During the live session, the artist shared his excitement about playing the tracks, humorously warning fans not to criticize him for his choices. When That's okay played, he sang along and jokingly asked fans not to “roast” him the next day. As translated by user @milkteus on X, he said,
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“oh! wooo! i’m sorry! i’m sorry! i can’t help it, it’s just so good~ please, just don’t hate on me tomorrow, that’s all i ask~ don’t hate on me, don’t bash me, okay? you’re not allowed to hate on me tomorrow"
His comment only made fans more endearing toward him, and many assured him that he was free to play any song without fear of judgment. The other moment came when the idol addressed his past with SM Entertainment, reportedly saying he no longer cares about SM. The comment was a subtle expression of his feelings toward his previous label.
Fans were quick to express their support, celebrating the idol's authenticity and the sense of liberation he exuded. An X user, @GiselleQuirogaK, wrote,
"Knowing that he was attentive to the work of his colleagues and today being able to show his affection, heals the heart."
Others also joined in to share the same emotion, hoping to see the initial lineup reunite once.
"We've been waiting for this moment for a long time......my ot12 peter pan I miss all of U," an X user wrote.
"that post sm reunion of exo including luhan and tao would be crazy if it ever happens," another fan commented.
"I just opened twitter to relieve some stress and thankfully I did. Luhan playing First Snow and That's Okay is a big thing for me. My second bias, my first love. I miss you so much. Deep in my heart, I always pray that you and Tao will someday have a reunion with the boys," a user remarked on X.
A fan mentioned:
"mama… i can’t believe we’re living in an era where the old members can freely sing exo members’ songs. man bet he’s been holding it in after all these years."
As the singer played the Korean version of The First Snow, fans couldn’t help but laugh at how he humorously acknowledged his defiance of SM’s past control. Many were moved by the fact that he continued to embrace his roots while also asserting his independence.
"Well same feels, and glad that Luhan really said that, it speaks volumes on how SM treated their idols. I believe that slave contract is still their as why their artists can't speak freely. Fck SMTOWNLOCAL," a fan wrote.
"Play more king No one stopping you Let the haters cry," another user commented on X.
More about EXO's former member Luhan and his departure from the group
Luhan, who had been a member of the K-pop group’s sub-unit EXO-M, left the group in 2014 following a legal dispute with the label SM Entertainment, two years after EXO's debut. While the group initially started with twelve members, the departures of Luhan, Kris, and Tao due to various issues with SM marked a turning point.
Furthermore, the artist's remark about playing The First Snow further amplified the emotion behind the livestream. He explained that it was snowing in Beijing and felt it was the perfect moment to revisit the track, regardless of his complicated history with the company.
Fans also pointed out how he never unfollowed EXO members or erased his history with them, keeping a visible connection with his former bandmates even after his departure.
In addition to the music, Luhan’s Douyin account recently hit over 10 million followers.
