D.O. of K-pop group EXO is leaving fans with a sentimental farewell in the form of the comforting “That’s Okay.”
Released today (July 1), the sweet, stripped-back acoustic pop-R&B ballad relays D.O.’s (Doh Kyung-soo) comforting words to listeners, with his warm tone expressively sharing how it’s alright to acknowledge and feel emotions, even if they cause pain, while going through life. D.O. is credited with writing the soothing, sentimental lyrics.
The song was released through SM Entertainment’s digital release project SM Station, and shared through an animated music video that shows a man, a cactus, a dog, and how they all overcome to flourish.
The release of “That’s Okay” marks D.O.’s temporary departure from the spotlight, as he enlisted in South Korea’s military today. D.O. is the second member of EXO to enlist in the country’s military service, following Xiumin who enlisted in May. Since South Korea is still technically at war with North Korea, the country has a mandatory military draft, and men are required to serve a period of around two years in the country’s armed forces.
Trending on Billboard
Following the song’s release, hashtags relating to D.O. and it trended worldwide on Twitter, including ones like “That’s Okay It’s Kyungsoo,” a reference to the 2014 Korean television show It’s Okay, That’s Love where the singer-actor had a breakout role. He has gone on to become one of South Korea’s most prominent young actors.
Due to his impending enlistment D.O. was absent from a dinner at the South Korean presidential Blue House on Saturday (June 29), where some of EXO’s members met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in as well as U.S. President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka, who is said to be a fan of the act.
Earlier today, EXO shared photos of D.O. with all of the other members of the group, aside from the on-hiatus Xiumin, on social media. The pictures mark a rare appearance of Lay, who typically is based out of China rather than Korea and is often absent from EXO’s activities.
#weareoneEXO @weareoneEXO pic.twitter.com/GPoGkHEK8f
— EXO (@weareoneEXO) July 1, 2019