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Chanyeol from EXO has decided to embark on his own solo career. Here's what to know about his musical future.

EXO’s Chanyeol finally going it alone: Inside his debut solo album

EXO is one of the biggest K-pop groups in the world. They have scored multiple hits & have a dedicated fan base to rival that of the BTS ARMY. Like BTS, however, some of the EXO members have decided to embark on a solo career. Suho & Chen have released solo albums, and now Chanyeol has teased the possibility of standalone music in 2021.

Chanyeol, born Park Chan-yeol, discussed his solo career during a recent interview with DICON. When asked what he would like to achieve as an artist in the upcoming year, he said: “I would like to try challenging a solo album. If it’s difficult [to do it] this year. It’s a must [to do it] next year.”

Going solo

This is not the first time Chanyeol has publicly discussed his solo career. In September, Chanyeol asked fans to get his name trending on social media so that EXO’s record label SM Entertainment would give him the green light on an album release. The gambit must have worked, because Chanyeol was seen hitting the studio with countless producers the following month. 

There haven’t been many concrete details about the album, but fans have taken to social media to theorize about the release date and examine potential clues. One such theory is that the album is titled “LOEY”, which is in reference to the initials that were on some of Chanyeol’s Instagram posts around the time the album was gaining buzz. 

Chanyeol’s decision to go solo makes sense given the success of his debut single “SSFW”. The single topped the iTunes International Charts in April, and received positive reviews from critics who praised the singer’s vocal chops. The title “SSFW” translates to “Spring Summer Fall Winter”.

Artistic evolution

The K-pop star broke down his artistry and his desire to evolve during an interview with High Cut magazine. “While looking at other great artists, what I long for is ‘consistency.’ That is, even when time passes, one’s musical inclination and their world won’t change,” he explained. “I also want to steadily improve and improve to reach a certain field and be able to protect that without losing it. I think that’s the path I want to take.”

Chanyeol told the outlet that he wants to use his solo music to improve his craft and the craft of EXO as a group. “I have so many aspects left to make progress on,” he stated. “I have so many things I want to do to the point where I’ve only barely taken one step, and if I’m greedy, the goal is at the top. I hope that there are many opportunities to show the world the things I want to do.”

Chanyeol’s decision to release solo music could not have come at a better time for EXO fans. It was recently confirmed that fellow member Chen would be stepping away from the group to serve in the South Korean military. 

Reality TV stardom

Chen posted a letter confirming that he would be joining the military this October, and that he would serve as an active member for a minimum of twenty-one months. This means fans will have to wait two years until they can see their favorite K-pop group again. 

Chanyeol will be staying busy in the iterum. In addition to releasing solo music, the pop star will star in the reality series Heart 4 U. KPop Herald reported that Chanyeol will be the fourth member of EXO to appear on the series following Xiumin, Chen, and Suho.

The teaser for Heart 4 U shows Chanyeol greeting fans alongside Suho, who playfully forgets to mention him. Chanyeol is then shown standing in front of a nature backdrop with a straw hat & shorts, hinting at a potential “nature” theme for the season. Heart 4 U will premiere October 27th on VLive.

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Comments
  • Does that means he is also going to military.

    October 20, 2020
    • The law in South Korea is all men between 19 and 29 have to enlist. There are some exceptions, however so far kpop idols/k-drama stars haven’t been given an exemption. If there is a medical reason that they can’t serve in the military they still have to serve by doing public service work.

      October 21, 2020
  • This would be fantastic, you only have to check his YT channel to see how gifted he is. Loey is the name Chanyeol uses as a producer it’s Yeol spelled backwards. Suho and Chen are not the only members of EXO to release solo projects. Baekhyun, another member of EXO, has released 2 solo mini-albums. Chanyeol is not the only member that fans are looking forward to a solo project from. Another member, Kai, is also said to be working on a solo project.

    October 20, 2020
    • We really be forgetting about our CEO huh?

      October 24, 2020
  • Oppa dangsin geos hwalyeohan Mogsoli🔥
    n
    Ulineun saranghaeda EXO-L❤️❤️❤️⚡😘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

    EXO-L geongang-eul yuji❤️❤️⚡

    Love u from India ❤️🥰❤️🔥❤️⚡❤️❤️⚡❤️😌🍂🍂🍂❤️⚡❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
    N ulineun dangsin-i geuliulgeoya😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️⚡❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐🔐✨👐

    October 20, 2020
  • Oppa u know hard work is the key to success.so do ur best in ur solo album
    And always support u ❤ ❤ ❤
    Ur the best oppa loey💖💖

    October 20, 2020
  • EXO members Lay and Baekhyun also have their solo albums and Kai solo is also coming… So happy for our Multitalented man Chanyeol… All the best.

    October 20, 2020
  • Omg this is best news ever you rock chan oppa🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩😘😘😘😘😘😘 we always there for you and please on 2021 go to militray💓😓😭

    October 20, 2020
  • Com certeza, CHANYEOL,tem talento e potencial para seguir carreira solo ,Mas eles juntos são uma família mais que Perfeita ❤️♥️♥️🇧🇷💞💞👏👏👏👏👏 Vamos esperar com imensa ansiedade 🙋🙋

    October 21, 2020
  • We’re always here to support you Chanyeol 💙💙💙💙

    October 21, 2020
  • It’s about time. EXO is bursting with talent! Chen, Suho, DO, Baekhyun & Lay already have solo projects and Kai is soon to follow!!

    October 21, 2020
  • Chanyeol you deserve the world for your hard work. And you are the true definition of talent

    October 21, 2020
  • Chanyeol solo? I can’t wait :)))))))❤❤❤❤❤❤

    October 22, 2020
  • Chanyeol is an artist of many talents – skilled on soooo many different levels. No matter which direction his solo album takes, it’s going to be great!

    Let’s not forget our other talented members, Lay and Baekhyun, whose albums have had chart topping success. We are also anxiously awaiting Kai’s solo, which will be coming soon! Look forward to it!

    October 22, 2020
  • 우리는 항상 당신을 찬열과 엑수외 모든 구성원하기 위해 항상 여기에있을 것입니다. 우리는 당신을 사랑합니다. 사랑하자!💖

    October 24, 2020
  • Chanyeol hyung…I’m exo fanboy…mean I’m exol….I hope Chen hyung can go safely to military and also chanyeol can make a good song as your first solo album…I’m always waiting all EXO member comeback as ot9 in future to sing exol a song …I’m miss you guys EXO… especially lay, Chen,suho,Do,xiumin….and I hope next year BAEKHYUN and chanyeol can go to enlist military …but hopefully EXO Kai and sehun can go to military next year …go enlist early and can comeback early …wanna to see you EXO as ot9 again…

    October 24, 2020
  • Chanyeol we love you

    January 15, 2021
  • looking forward to your solo album chanyeolie!!!

    January 15, 2021

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