Byun Baekhyun, a member of the ever-popular EXO, has a secret that has been hiding in plain sight, waiting for people to talk about it. Baekhyun has debuted four times over his 11-year career. Baekhyun debuted in 2012 with EXO-K, in 2013 in EXO, in 2016 with EXO-CBX, and in 2019, both as a soloist and in SuperM. These various groups soared to new heights with Baekhyun in tow, becoming one of the most distinctive voices in K-Pop. This list will draw your attention to our favorite moments from each debut, in order to show off Baekhyun’s incredible talents.
EXO-K (2012) “Mama”
Technically, Baekhyun debuted in 5 groups if you count the difference between EXO and EXO-K, so we will add both his EXO-K debut, “Mama,” and his EXO debut “Wolf.”
“Mama” is truly a song that speaks for itself. The powerful vocals, stage presence, and choreography really set the stage for the rest of EXO’s career. Baekhyun’s vocals shine through the other insanely talented vocalists of EXO. This Baekhyun line (timestamp: 3:42) is our favorite part of the song. His clean and articulate vocals stand out and call attention to his tone and power. After his solo line, you can hear his backing vocals and harmonies very clearly. We love “Mama!”
EXO (2013) “Wolf”
“Wolf” is one of our favorite EXO songs despite many fans citing it as “a sign of the times” or “pretty silly.” The complicated rhythm structures coupled with the complex choreography make “Wolf” a feast for the eyes and ears! Baekhyun’s vocals are once again a key part of the song, this time focusing on his high notes and incredible range. In his chorus part (timestamp: 1:20), Baekhyun’s crisp and deep vocals are a real treat for EXO-Ls.
EXO-CBX (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) (2016) “Hey Mama”
EXO-CBX is a subunit of EXO consisting of members Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin. CBX debuted in 2016 with “Hey Mama” and a mini-album of the same name. CBX is not the only EXO subunit, EXO-SC (Sehun and Chanyeol) debuted in 2019 with “What a Life”. Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin create an incredible dynamic with their vocals and in their rap styles. The subunit only contains vocalists (except Xiumin’s sub-rapper credit in EXO), but in “Hey Mama”, Baekhyun performs a great rap in the middle of the song (timestamp: 1:36) . He is not credited as a rapper in most songs from EXO as he is one of the few lead / main vocalists in EXO (along with Kyungsoo and Chen). His rap defied our expectations and really proved how Baekhyun’s talents are so varied.
Baekhyun Solo Debut (2019) “UN Village”
In August 2019, Baekhyun made his debut as a soloist with the EP ‘City Lights’ and the title track “UN Village. ”UN Village” is a great debut for Baekhyun that really began his perfect solo career with title tracks like “Candy,” and most recently, “Bambi.” “UN Village” showcases Baekhyun’s sweet and clear vocal range and musical style. His solo music is more focused on a pop/ r&b sound which really lends itself to his tenor vocals. We love the entire chorus of “UN Village” and all of Baekhyun’s B-sides (especially “Bungee,” “Underwater,” and “Love Scene”). Baekhyun even won the Best Male Artist award at the 2019 Mnet AMAs.
SuperM (2019) “Jopping”
“Jopping” is more than a song, it’s an experience. From the catchy lyrics to the captivating dance to the mix of group members, “Jopping” is a song that is difficult to look past (or get out of your head). Surrounded by some of the best vocalists, rappers, and dancers in SM, Baekhyun yet again manages to stand out. During the bridge, Baekhyun gives a particularly incredible and memorable high note while the members perform a difficult floor move. This specific moment felt like a perfect moment to end this list due to the power and compelling nature of the note and the stage as a whole.
We are so glad that Baekhyun is back from his enlistment period. We’ve been anticipating his first release since release. We can already smell what he’s brewing.
What was your favorite Baekhyun debut? Let us know on our Instagram and Twitter.
Make sure to wish Baekhyun a happy birthday on his Instagram and Twitter.
