The day that many EXO-Ls (name for the fans of K-pop Kings EXO) maybe never thought would happen finally came to pass - one of the main vocalists of EXO, Chen, showed himself in public on 7 June. It was the first time he has been seen in public after five whole months of absence due to his marriage and the birth of his daughter.
Fans noticed their favourite idol visiting the Inkigayo Show alongside other members of the group Sehun, Chanyeol and Kai, to show support for Baekhyun, another vocalist of the group, who recently released his second solo album “Delight”.
Previously, the artist was spotted in a photo, when EXO members gathered together to send their leader Suho to the army to do his compulsory military service, but this was not enough for fans who have been dying to see live interactions between the band's members since the news of Chen's marriage first appeared in January.
The update from fan sites on Chen's appearance on the music show on TV immediately went online bit the news seemed to divide fans once again: some of them were crying tears of joy at seeing their favourite idol, while others started the fight once again, demanding the departure of the talented singer from the group, as they still cannot forgive him the being a father and a husband.
are we understanding how monumental this is we have jongdae previews for the FIRST time in 2020 😭 pic.twitter.com/PDRZ6pv7a2
— ayesha 🍬 (@whinyjongdae) June 7, 2020
That's my babie jongdae, I can't stop rewatching this, I love you so much 🥺🥺🥺 pic.twitter.com/wmaD2yT8Rd
— 夜☆ (@Pikuchen) June 7, 2020
The appearance of Chen, real name Kim Jong-dae, wearing his wedding ring on his finger, became a hot topic and climbed to the top place worldwide alongside the related hashtags of support in Korean #첸_항상_응원할게 (Chen, we will always support you), with anti-fans trying to trend #김종대_나가_양심재기 (Kim Jongdae, go away and get a grip).
Jongdae is now trending #1 worldwide 🤧#첸_항상_응원할게 pic.twitter.com/5LNq6K4P0e
— chentube update when (@smolkjd) June 7, 2020
#김종대_나가_양심재기
— J에게 (@To_lovely_J) June 7, 2020
아니 애 아빠는 아이돌 못한다니까요 pic.twitter.com/jj5aE1LlD9
The tweet says “a father cannot be an idol” and the picture says “F**k off and go away”.
Still there seem to be more fans who support Chen and would be happy to see him back with the band.
ANTIS COME OUT WITH NEW HT SO DO NOT ENGAGE 🙏🏻
— 첸를 위해 ♈ SEMIHIATUS (@jongiedae) June 7, 2020
QUOTE THIS TWEET WITH 'I LOVE YOU, CHEN' IN YOUR LANGUAGE ❤️
INCLUDE POSITIVE HT 👇🏻#첸_곁에_오래오래 #첸_사랑해 #첸_항상_응원할게#첸_노래해줘서_고마워요 pic.twitter.com/AfbYwI4wPc
"No matter what others say, you gave us joy more than what we deserve. I just want to give it back to you. I am always supporting you. When you want to sing, please do so because I am always waiting." #첸_항상_응원할게 #종대 pic.twitter.com/PbEYIFPznX
— 혜들레 🌼 (@babiejongdae) June 4, 2020
At this point no one’s gonna be able to stop Jongdae from supporting his bros, not yall ungratful bitc*es..he doesnt give a damn about yall anymore!!!!!! #첸_항상_응원할게 #EXO @weareoneEXOpic.twitter.com/Y9Brzjw6JV
— 🐧🐯 (@CHANSOOperior) June 7, 2020
SOONDINGIES LET’S CELEBRATE TODAY IS OUR DAY #첸_항상_응원할게 pic.twitter.com/spaWY3dRXT
— chennie (@misspoutykjd) June 7, 2020
Hello Jongdae! Just wanna show you an edit I did for you ㅠㅠ #첸_항상_응원할게 pic.twitter.com/hbDc5oLOH3
— ⒺⓂ 🌼 종대 Candy 🍬 (@thundernini_) June 7, 2020
In January, Chen announced his marriage to his pregnant non-celebrity girlfriend and the news stirred a huge controversy in the world of K-pop, as Jongdae is the first EXO member to be married - and indeed the first in a whole generation of idols. After a private wedding ceremony, Chen became a father of a daughter on 29 April. Despite both these events making a lot of his fans mad, the artist's label SM Entertainment was quick to defend Chen and said he would continue his activities as a member of EXO.
