On November 28, 2013, EXO's Show Time broadcasted their first ever episode. The episode lasted for about 50 minutes in total, and the ratings so far have been nothing short of impressive as the highest percentage achieved is 1.2.

Reality shows have always been a fascination in the fandom because it's an obvious attempt to showcase the members to the fans with the illusions of less barriers in between. When SHINee was on Hello Baby, many jokes and moments were formed between the fandom and the band, making them feel that much closer to the people that they idolize. 

So with this show, it's a little more different since there isn't an adorable focus to derail you from all the handsome boys, A.K.A. Yoogeun. With EXO's Show Time, you get the EXO members sharing parts of their lives with the audience. 

The pilot begins slowly, and really simple. The members were sat around a long table, given snacks and very little information on to how to go about introducing their show, until later being notified by a television screen that they would have to interview each other using the questions written down on cue cards. I thought that though this isn't a method that we have not seen before, it's a great way to introduce the members to the public demographic who aren't familiar with them, and then re-introduce them to everyone else who have already fallen in love with them since day one.

There's a whole lot of discussion about their looks and their distinguishing features, once again, a great way to get to know the members better since they themselves get to discuss what they think physically separates them from the rest of the 12 members. 

There are a lot of things about this show that is reminiscent of boy bands past within the SM Entertainment group. I don't know if you have ever had the pleasure to watch DBSK's evolution on screen, but when they first debuted, they always had parts or images that they had to fulfill. I don't recall watching a DBSK reality TV show like the one EXO has now or the one F(x) did before, but I do know that the roles of the members were very clearly trying to be established through the interviews that they were partaking in. Especially during an MNET special, and all of the BTS footage. And later on in their career, once they were seasoned and more natural, I remember Kim Jaejoong, lead singer of DBSK when it was still the five of them, that when they debuted, he was instructed to be "the cold one" of the group, since it would fit his look. But it didn't necessarily fit his personality, so he began to act according to what was more natural to him. There was also a time when Changmin was told to be "the cute one" since he was the maknae of the group. And if you're a Cassie, you'd be laughing at the thought of Changmin trying to aegyo his way out of anything since we all know that he'd sooner die. 

Watching EXO Kris trying to maintain a facade of cool and calm reminded me so much of the images that these artists play, the roles that that undergo even in a show that strives for a reality. Though it's no secret that these episodes will be scripted, it's just curious how they don't change the rulebooks at all. Though, I can't complain much about the lack of innovation, since whatever SM is doing seems to be working. 

I did enjoy the whole show, though. There were a lot of moments that if GIFed, would most likely break the internet. I appreciated a lot of the offhanded comments Baekhyun thought to share, Chanyeol's natural humor, KAI's laugh, which was some times louder than his clap. And is it just me who thinks that Suho should be the main parent in the group? I know that many of the fans are calling him the Eomma because of Kris having to be the husband, and Tao the baby, but Suho plays the part of the embarrassing dad so well. For instance, when he was suggesting something that the members were flat out ignoring, and it didn't deter his spirits at all, so he kept doing it over and over.

Chen is pretty much the snark king, but this is news to no one. I would just love to put him and Lay in a room together and see who would kill who first. Xiumin was pretty much a sweetheart throughout the shoot and the extra footage. He just has a very earnest look about him? I would love to see moments of he and Luhan just encouraging each other or fixing each other's hair. And Sehun being such a good sport throughout is also very charming. I didn't expect him to be so shy, though. 

All in all, this episode was a great way to introduce the show and make sure that each of the members were remembered. Although there were still some members who shined more than others in terms of air time, there's really no rush since this is going to be aired weekly.

With all of that said, let's anticipate the next episode! Hopefully we'll be seeing more mishaps and fail moments... also success moments, those are always nice.