At long last, EXO’s D.O. has made his solo debut. Titled 공감 (Empathy), D.O. debuts his first mini-album with a total of eight songs that are soothing and heartfelt. Fans have been waiting far and wide for the EXO member to finally make his debut, and he does not disappoint with a stunning acoustic R&B mini-album.

Tracklist: 

1. Rose*

2. I’m Gonna Love You (featuring Wonstein)

3. My Love 

4. It’s Love 

5. Dad 

6. I’m Fine 

7. Rose (English Version) 

8. Si Fueras Mía*

*Author’s favorite pick 

“Rose”

It’s spring in the season of summer as D.O. introduces “Rose” as his title track. “Rose” is an acoustic ballad that is sweet and warm, and expresses that butterfly-in-your-stomach feeling of being in love and experiencing that thrilling and happy emotion. Throughout the song, D.O. has his crush running through his mind, and wonders how he can relay these feelings to them. Just like a rose budding, so do his feelings begin to bloom more and more as they continue to grow in his heart. But he also equates the beauty of his crush to a rose as well, noting it several times throughout the song. “Rose” is a definite love letter to his crush and his wanting to convey these sweet feelings, hoping that they’ll get across somehow. 

The music video for “Rose” is just as sweet and quirky as the song, featuring D.O. happily going about his day as he spends his time thinking about his crush. Ignorance, in this case throughout the music video, is truly bliss. As he is in his own happy bubble, D.O. either narrowly misses—or doesn’t see—the mishaps and mayhem that follow behind him. Despite all that is going on, his feelings for his blooming crush are what really get him through the day and protect him. It can also be interpreted that moments, like the fire hydrant or lights exploding that look like fireworks, are the moments that represent his heart bursting with love and joy as his crush crosses his mind. It’s truly a sweet music video that is sure to bring a smile to many. 

Overall, D.O. makes a solid solo debut that brings out that tingly and fluttery feeling of love throughout the album. Many can surely empathize with the themes of love that are portrayed in 공감 (Empathy), which is perfectly titled. There are a load of great B-side tracks as well. From the touching “Dad” and “I’m Gonna Love You” featuring Wonstein to the Spanish track “Si Fueras Mía” (which translates to “if you were mine” in English), D.O. delivers a delight of an album that is well worth the listen.