EXO Fans Upset Over K-Drama 'Modern Farmer' Band Name

Fans of the EXO have expressed concern regarding the use of the band's name in the upcoming SBS drama "Modern Farmer." "Modern Farmer" features a fictitous band named Excellent Souls which is led by FTISLAND's Lee Hong Ki.

The issue at hand is the Korean abbreviation of Excellent Souls, which literally is EXO. As pointed out by Soompi in their English language coverage of the issue, Excellent Souls when abbreviated in Hangul is 엑소.

Fans of SM Entertainment's EXO have cited that the use of the group's name by SBS is an attempt to capitalize on the existing fandom. Meanwhile, fans who are supporters of the show have adapted the Romanization of the abreviation of the group to ExSo. However, ExSo remains the pronunciation for the actual group EXO.

Due to the similarity in the group name, details for the program "Modern Farmer" are included in Korean web searches for EXO, which has spurred fans to site SBS for unfair marketing tactics.

This issue has drawn increased concern as the airdate for "Modern Farmer" approaches. However, during initial news relating to the casting of the drama, the band Excellent Souls was billed as EXO.

"Modern Farmer" stars Lee Hong Ki as Lee Min Ki, a vocalist, guitarist, and leader of the group Excellent Souls. Lee Hong Ki is joined by actor Park Min Woo as Kang Hyuk, the keyyboardist for Excellent Souls. Kim Jae Hyun of FNC Entertainment's rookie group NFLYING is included in the cast of "Modern Farmer" as Han Ki Jun. Actor Lee Si Eon (Reply 1997) rounds out the lineup of Excellent Souls as bass guitarist Yoon Chul Han.

The drama focuses on the members of Excellent Souls, an acclaimed rock group, that relocates to the countryside.

Actress Honey Lee is the female lead in "Modern Farmer" and is the love interest of Lee Hongki's character Lee Min Ki. Kwak Dong Yeon rounds out the cast of "Modern Farmer."

"Modern Farmer"will premier on SBS on October 11 in the 8:40 KST time slot curently occupied by "Glorious Days."

Do you think SBS should change the name of the band featured in "Modern Farmer?"

Is there room for a fictitous version of EXO in addition to SM Entertainment's group? Was it wrong of SBS to knowingly select this name for the group and will it prevent you for watching the program? Comment below.

Tags
Modern Farmer
lee hong ki
FTISLAND
EXO
SBS
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