Y'all already know and I don't even know why I chose to write about this when this book is incomplete and still has a lot of stuff to be updated (which I surely will do) but let's just skip to this part because I wanna celebrate.

You know how they say, 'It's always quite before the storm'?

That was exactly the case here.
New Year began and we had no special news or year-end awards to talk about, except for a few concerts. There weren't any hints of Repackaged album (after OBSESSION). There was no spicy sizzling gossip (as compared to previous year: JenKai). And group activities were almost zero. It had been days since any news article regarding EXO popped up on my notification bar.
Life was boring.

.

But

.

We were too quick to assume that EXO was quiet or this year was going to be event less. Because it will be anything but that. On the 13th of January, a pretty rainy day where I live, was the big day. Jongdae had big surprise.

He wrote a letter to EXO-Ls sharing the news of his fiancee, their upcoming private wedding and her pregnancy all in one day. I mean slow down, man! We have a poor heart.

Chen's unforgettable Letter

Hello, this is Chen.

I have something to say to my fans, so I wrote this letter. I don't know how to start, so I am very nervous. I wanted to be the first one to tell my fans who I love so much, so I am leaving this post even with my lacking sentences.

I have a girlfriend who I want to be with for the rest of my life.

I was worried and concerned with what would happen with my decision, but I wanted to let everyone know early so my members, the company and especially my fans who are proud of me wouldn't be surprised by the sudden news, so I talked it out with my agency and the members.

During that time a blessing came to me. I was shocked because I wasn't able to take part in the plans that I had made with the members and the company. But, this blessing gave me strength and courage. I thought about how and when I should reveal the news but I didn't want to wait any longer so I am carefully revealing it to you all now.

I am grateful to my members for genuinely supporting and congratulating me and to our fans for always giving us so much love. I will always be grateful for all of you and will continue to do my best in the position I am in.

Thank you always".

And you can't us blame for our ultimate, immediate and fierce shock. I mean, my friends and I always used to bet whether it would be Sehun who will date next or probably Suho? Chanyeol sounded fine too. But Chen? No, not Chen. Never Chen.
So it took me more at least 24 hours to register the fact that it is indeed Kim Jongdae with girlfriend with whom he 'wants to spend the rest of his life with'. Kim Jong dae who has been gifted with a 'blessing'  in the form of a baby and Kim Jongdae whose finacee whom he proposed some time last year, was 7 months pregnant now.

Pro at breaking vocal limits, hearts and records.

[FUN FACT]: Chen is the first active idol of third generation to get married. He is also the second SM artist (first is Super Junior's Sungmin).

Wow.

Just wow.

.

.

And so began the war.

Domestic Fans' Reaction

Dating and K-Pop have been two topics that just didn't seem to mesh well together over the years.

I don't wanna pin down anyone specifically but everybody knows that Korean EXO-Ls ( only the ones who posted at EXO-L ACE app) gave him (and are giving) a pretty hard time. Not that he is bothered, I'm sure. But still it hurts many of us. They are demanding SM to kick him out and blaming him for taking their money and then stabbing in the back later. Pure shit.

I admit that Korean EXO-Ls obviously have a whole new unique sort-of bonding with EXO members since they belong to the same country and have more interactions, more reasons to be close and cherish each other but that certainly does NOT mean going haywire and spewing criticism and sometimes even almost hatred towards him could be justifiable.

One could even perhaps go as far as to say that the mentality of these certain fans deprives an idol's basic human right to love.  An important question that is also worth raising is, are the fans who are demanding that removal of Chen, really in fact true EXO fans? Or are they fans of perhaps other members? Wouldn't a true EXO fan have the tendency to show support rather than disappointment and a sense of betrayal? It makes me wonder about their loyalty.

I'm quite sure that Chen having done all this mustn't have brought as much disgrace to the image of EXO than these fans who are petitioning for his removal from EXO. It's pretty ironic that you are blaming him for ruining the reputation when you, yourself are busy cooking up plans against him and clearly exhibiting 'loyalty' before every other fandom.

If you have the same thoughts, then think again and ask yourself: Are you really an EXO-L? The same ones EXO cried for when we were mistreated during award shows? The ones EXO celebrates their birthdays with? The ones with whom we Promised (remember the song) our eternal bond? The ones EXO write and sings so many songs for almost every year? The ones for whom we say so proudly, WE ARE ONE? What kind of relationship do you believe you had with EXO to begin with if you're hating on them so strongly now?

I mean come on, just because he is an idol doesn't mean he doesn't have a soul, a life, a choice to make his decisions! He has a life and let him live it.

Another perspective to look this into is that  . . . don't we all have crushes on other people besides these idols? Don't some of you have boyfriends? Don't you go on dates with your loved ones? Don't we all dream of falling in love one day, getting married, having kids and settling in a serene life? Don't deny because its true.
Then where does your commitment with EXO stand now, huh?
Can I ask you to abandon your boyfriends and fiancees just because you stan EXO? Can I demand you to focus your whole attention towards the group and not get pledged to anyone?
If not, then why do you expect this from EXO? Why should they not be dads and husbands and boyfriends to someone when you can?

It is wrong to ask for so much when we can't pay back in the same way.

THE FAILING ATTEMPT TO PROTEST

So these demented fans . . . wait I can't call them 'fans', let's say antis, shall we?

Yeas so these demented antis event went as far as to demand SM to kick Chen out of EXO and release a related statement until 18 of Jan (five days after the news came out) or they will physically protest on the 19th outside SM Coex Atrium As expected, SM didn't even respond.

So on the 19 th of January, these insane people came forward, wearing face masks (didn't have enough courage to reveal IDs) and holding stupid banners.

Can you guess how big the crowd was?
Gosh even the word 'crowd' would be insulted.

Seven people, LOL.
Out of seven billion.

Got nothing else to say, man.

                                                                         International Fans

I am most definitely NOT trying to praise myself or anything and I know very well that some International fans are probably going frenzy too. But generally they have been pretty much holding his back, trending positive tweets, reporting anyone who is leaving malicious comments, defending our reputation, posting congratulatory news and  . . . of course, doing what we are best at, trolling and posting memes about his impending marriage and fatherhood, lmao one might find exo-ls the most non serious at such times.

The immense amount of support I have seen among International EXO-Ls at this time of adversity is heart-touching. The way all of the biggest fan sites are leaving requests to SM to Protect EXO and that they believe in OT_9 has left me with a funny feeling.

Besides all of my support, I do have a small pang in my heart that keeps stinging me once in a while. Because well  . . . I always feel that he should have told us earlier. It's not like he found out about the pregnancy just now. But then again, we don't know what were the consequences. Maybe SM asked him to stay silent, maybe it was the wish of EXO members to have a peaceful comeback. Whatever it was, I'm certain that my doubts will wash away in a few days :)

Dispatch didn't make their Big New Year Announcement

The best part however, was the Dispatch (News agency) that didn't reveal it. It would have been much worse if eris found out that way. But knowing Dispatch, one could probably almost be certain that they knew about it. But given that the news was released by Chen himself, it's possible that SM Entertainment and Dispatch cooperated with each other on their own terms.

Mrs. Chen-Chen

As for the lucky Mrs. Jongdae....I don't wish to reveal anything that I know because I do not have any authentic news. But I think her name is Kang Mihee. She's been attending EXO's concerts and musicals to show support for him since some time, and went on a trip with Jongdae to L.A for 10 days or so. As far as EXO-ls have gathered till now, they live together in an apartment where EXO used to have dorm before. Chen is reportedly gearing up for his wife and baby by preparing his honeymoon home with his fiancée.  Reports claimed he recently purchased a luxury apartment in Seoul for 1.6 billion won.
And to top it off that she is a non-celebrity.

If you want more knowledge just Google it or contact any EXO-l, I'm sure all of us dying to share the details, either out of delight or pain! xD

Jongdae's private life was invaded earlier too. Last year, rumors were cooking up among Koreans that he has a girlfriend or that he is engaged but everyone turned a deaf ear to it. Hell, even I did.

Oh whatever.

I just hope she is healthy. The baby is healthy. And He is healthy.

WHAT EXO WANTS

No matter how long you have stanned them, no matter how much you spend on them, no matter how their reputation stands right now, at the end of the day all that matters is what EXO wants.
And what EXO wants, EXO gets.

As an EXO-L, if you have been looking closely and actually listening to what they are saying, you'll know that things like reputation does not bother them. AT ALL.

Ever since the last few months, I've noticed that EXO always talked about finding internal happiness and looking for meaning in life. They want to be successful individually but still do well as a group.
Can't you dumb heads figure what they were pointing out?
Kai said on their interview at iheartradio in 2020 that ranking as best, topping charts, being awarded the 'Best Group' and album sales are far below their concern now. They just want to produce good music for the fans.
Sehun also discussed similar ideas on MBC Radio show 2019  that numbers and rankings are nothing for EXO, they only want peace.

You see? EXO doesn't freaking care about their reputation, those things don't matter to them. So why should it matter to us? If this is where they find their hearts content, so be it. I mean, they come on guys, they have showered us with happiness and thrill since eight years! That's a long long time.

EXO's Support

When everyone started lashing out on Chen, that one thing I was really expecting was EXO's support.

You see, it is a trend among the fandom that whenever the EXO planet is on fire (meaning something unexpected happens), Sehun, being the sassy devil-may-care maknae, he is, would post an unbothered, chilling selfie on his Instagram most with a soothing caption to calm the fans down. He did it when Jennie and Kai's relationship came out clean last year, also when they broke up and  . . . . he did it this year too. Sehun even did IG live call and told fans to be happy.

But the most heartwarming gesture was made by our leader Suho. Sometimes I honestly don't even have enough words to describe him. The entire fandom was in shambles and disunited. We were all freaking out but right after Suho posted his IG story with an L sign and such a soothing message, everyone and literally EVERYONE calmed down. People immediately started trending #AlwaysWithEXO, #FaithInCHEN, #ChenStays #MyAnswerIsEXO9 and #Protect_EXO and many more keep trending worldwide every other day.

Caption: "Our relationship is now at a point where we don't have to speak because a hand sign is enough to know everything."

Even I felt assured that we can get through this time. Just one post. And sometimes that all you need.

Chen will be Chen

Here are a few lines stated in Jongdae's letter:  'I will always be grateful for all of you and will continue to do my best in the position I am in.'

And I think that pretty much clears things up. He promises to keep up with group activities, be with his members and fans keeping up with his duties as a husband and father (!). And remember this is Chen. He knows how it feels when people abandon you in the middle of nowhere. Do not forget that it was his own Chinese band members of EXO-M who left without an explanation.
They call themselves brothers for a reason. Don't let our motto 'We Are One' go in vain.

And I have complete faith in Chen. And if you're reading this, it means you have a tiny shred of EXO-L inside you. And a true EXO-L DOES NOT back down when our boys need us because they never backed down when they were our sole source of happiness :)

Interesting Speculations

Once you get over the eye-opening news, there are so many things to be thrilled about. Like for instance, 'When will Jongdae hold the wedding?', 'Is it a boy or Girl?', 'What will his wife look like?', 'Who will be the Best man?', 'Will all nine members be able to attend?', 'What will happen when he enlists in military?', 'What would be EXO's reaction when the baby is born?', 'Who will be the best uncle?'

Ahhh . . . there is much to think about and so many of you are wasting time calling him a 'betrayed'.

CHEN IS GOING TO BE A FATHER, YOU FOOLS!

[Message to new EXO-Ls]: Don't worry guys, this is not a regular occurence in the fandom. It doesn't happen everyday. You must have been horrified and amazed but don't freak out. EXO IS ONE, ALWAYS ONE!