Jaehwa Bernardo

K-pop singer Baekhyun in a promotional photo for his EP 'Essence of Reverie.' Photo from Baekhyun's X account

Article (news)

EXO's Baekhyun unveils 'new side' in EP 'Essence of Reverie'

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747647484239BAEK PHOTO.jfif" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="K-pop singer Baekhyun in a promotional photo for his EP &#x27;Essence of Reverie.&#x27; Photo from Baekhyun&#x27;s X account"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">K-pop singer Baekhyun in a promotional photo for his EP &#x27;Essence of Reverie.&#x27; <em>Photo from Baekhyun&#x27;s X account</em></span></span></span></div><p>South Korean singer Baekhyun, best known as a member of the boy group EXO, made his comeback on Monday with his fifth extended play &quot;Essence of Reverie,&quot; hoping to showcase a new facet of himself as an artist.</p><p>In a YouTube livestream aired an hour prior to the EP&#x27;s release, the 33-year-old idol said &quot;Essence of Reverie&quot; talks about Baekhyun at the boundary between reality and ideals.</p><p>&quot;I tried to show you the Baekhyun you think of and the real Baekhyun. I tried to bring you [a] new side,&quot; the singer, whose real name is Byun Baek-hyun, said in the subtitled livestream.</p><p>&quot;I always try to show new sides you have never seen before. This time around, you will really see something new,&quot; he added.</p><p>Composed of seven songs, &quot;Essence of Reverie&quot; is fronted by the single &quot;Elevator,&quot; which Baekhyun described as a pop and R&amp;B track featuring a catchy guitar and synth sounds layered over a trap beat.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lg3r8-4yfDI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Lyrically, the song likens one&#x27;s heart to an elevator.</p><p>&quot;Your heart goes back and forth like an elevator. I always want to go into your heart to find an answer. It can be the basement floor or higher floors. I want to explor[e] every floor and become the person you like,&quot; Baekhyun said.</p><p>Ahead of the EP&#x27;s release, Baekhyun pre-released &quot;Chocolate,&quot; promoting the track on South Korean music shows.</p><p>Baekhyun is also set to embark on his &quot;Reverie&quot; world tour, which will make a stop at the Mall of Asia Arena on October 18.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/4/30/exo-s-baekhyun-returning-to-manila-for-reverie-tour-1210"><strong>READ: EXO&#x27;s Baekhyun returning to Manila for &#x27;Reverie&#x27; tour</strong></a></div><p>Baekhyun debuted in 2012 as a member of EXO, one of K-pop&#x27;s most popular male acts, known for songs such as &quot;Growl,&quot; &quot;Ko Ko Bop&quot; and &quot;Love Shot.&quot; He launched his solo career in 2019 with the EP &quot;City Lights.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lco73YFyNYc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>K-pop singer Baekhyun, best known as a member of the boy group EXO, made his comeback with his fifth extended play 'Essence of Reverie,' hoping to showcase a new facet of himself as an artist.</p>

K-pop singer Baekhyun, best known as a member of the boy group EXO, made his comeback with his fifth extended play 'Essence of Reverie,' hoping to showcase a new facet of himself as an artist.