EXO has been all over the news lately. They just released a new single, "Growl" and the song has gotten praise from not only critics and fans, but other artists as well.

The members are busy with their promotional activities and have a long list of appearances scheduled throughout the summer and into next month.

Recently they have been gaining a fair amount of negative press, however - though it is no fault of their own.

Rather, a number of overzealous fans have been excessive in the way they show their love. Stalking behavior, dangerous antics, and unabashed invasion of privacy seem to be the norm for these fans and their inappropriate antics have gotten the entire fandom banned from the Inkigayo studio.

However, EXO is definitely not the first idol group to have such intense fans. They follow in the tradition of other popular groups like H.O.T, TVXQ, and Shinhwa.

These days, Shinhwa has a very special and respectful relationship with their fandom, but the now-pleasant atmosphere is after the group members spoke out to their followers directly - an example EXO can probably learn from.

During a fan meeting for their first album, Dong Wan spoke directly to the fans saying, "Shinhwa isn't responsible for your lives."

The now famous, and often repeated, quote lost him and his group a fair amount of fans at the time who were offended by his words. Looking back now, it is clear to see that the true fans are the ones who took his message to heart and the group still boasts one of the largest fandoms in K-Pop.

Even a decade or so later, when it seemed like fans were getting out of control again, Eric addressed the Changjos in an online message.  On July 7, 2011 he wrote:

Shinhwa has always lived joking around without too much arguing, but we couldn't have gotten this far without some seriousness, to be honest. I feel a certain kind of responsibility over our younger fans.

This might be all over the place, but I'm going to say some things that you might not like, but it's all for your own good so don't be too shocked~ It'd probably be about the same things your parents tell you, but it would be more convincing if the words came out of your favorite oppa, won't it?

Getting first place and being popular - these things aren't our goals anymore.

Though on television or on stage, Shinhwa might just be another entertainer, we want Shinhwa, our very own stories that we tell to our fans directly to affect your fans positively so that when you all grow up to be successful, you are able to say that Shinhwa was your favorite idol group when you were young and the things they said and did influenced you to get that far.

If I see an interview like that in the future, I think that is the success that Shinhwa is striving for.

So please let Shinhwa succeed. We will lead you to a good road to the best of our ability, and we will try our best to give you happiness like the entertainers we are when you're tired and down.

Though this post might be all over the place, I hope you understood my meaning~ While having fun, I wish you do the things you're meant to do well and be successful, strong SHCJs~ Hwaiting!! 

Looking back on their behavior, a lot of fans realized the error of their ways and have since chosen to express their feelings for the group in more productive, respectful ways.

Maybe because they are still new to the scene and their success depends on album sales which, in turn, depend on their fans, but the EXO members have yet to give their extreme fans a talking to.

Doing so may lose them many supporters at first, but in the long run they will end up weeding out the crazy ones and be left with a fandom full of honest supporters who really do just want the best for them.