Stage Talent Discovered at a Young Age
Even when Baekhyun was in elementary school, the children in his neighborhood called him “little singer.” At the age of 9, he was already participating in school music competitions and singing on stage without any hesitation. In fact, his teachers wrote in his class notebook, “This child lives on stage.”
His Entry into SM Was No Accident
Baekhyun's entry into SM Entertainment was not the typical story of being discovered on the street. He was already taking vocal lessons when a talent scout passing by SM's office noticed him. That day, entering that building was not fate, but the result of his long-term investment in his vocals.
Vocal Technique with Military-Level Discipline
Baekhyun's vocal technique is as detailed as that of a classically trained musician. Those who want to see how he controls his breath don't just watch his live performances; they also watch the exercises he does backstage while warming up. Even in the simplest fan meetings, it's noticeable that he never skips his diaphragm exercises.
Musical Tone Color Perception
Baekhyun defines his voice not only by notes but also by colors. In his own words, high notes feel like “light blue,” while the notes he sings in the mid-range have a “warm, orange-like tone.” This synesthetic approach adds a visual dimension to his vocal character.
Consciously Managing Stage Lighting
When on stage, Baekhyun doesn't just move around; he adjusts his body position and facial expressions down to the millimeter according to the lighting and camera angles. In particular, when he shows his left profile, he calculates the angle of the light independently of the choreography.
Involved in the Production of His Own Songs
In his solo albums, he is not only responsible for vocals, but also has a direct say in mixing and arrangement. In particular, it is known that he showed the producers examples of how he wanted the bass guitar tone to be harder in the song “Candy” and even intervened in the mixing process at 3 a.m. by phone.
Strange But True: The Dancer Who Avoids Exercise
Although Baekhyun is considered one of the most energetic dancers in the idol world, he hates the gym. Instead of working out, he prefers to do extra warm-up exercises during dance rehearsals because the “repetitive movements” at the gym bore him mentally.
Did Not Take Acting Lessons for His Acting Debut
He did not take any special acting lessons for the character Wang Eun in the series Moon Lovers. Instead, he created the character's “teenage energy” by repeatedly practicing his natural mannerisms in front of a mirror. The director did not want him to take any technical lessons that would ruin his naturalness.
Unusually Close Relationship with Fans
He is known for memorizing his fans' names. It is known that he keeps handwritten letters and reads some of them over and over again. When he addressed a fan on stage by saying, “You got your hair cut last week,” it showed how good his memory is for faces.
He Suffers from Headaches Under the Lights
Baekhyun has a slight migraine sensitivity to stage lights. He experiences headaches when exposed to bright, steady lights for long periods of time. Because of this, light technicians have to use special soft filters for him at some concerts. However, the audience never notices this.
Doesn't Drink Water to Maintain Vocal Warmth
While most singers drink water before a performance, Baekhyun consciously avoids doing so. To prevent his throat from drying out, he uses a few drops of ginger extract instead of warm water before concerts. This method helps him maintain his unique vocal tone.
He Wrote a Song in His Dream
The chorus of his solo song “Amusement Park” came to him in a dream one night. When he woke up, he immediately hummed the melody into his phone. That recording is still on his phone, and the song has remained almost exactly the same as the original.
Incredibly Strong Sense of Smell
If he smells a perfume or soap once, he can recognize it even months later. That's why studio staff ask her which perfume they sprayed on which day so he can remember. He says he associates stage days with scents and remembers each performance by the scent of that day.
Fans Believe in Baekhyun's Supernatural Sensitivity
Among his fans, there is a group who believe he has a “sixth sense.” This is because he has noticed the emotional state of his fans on stage several times without any communication. The most well-known example of this is when a fan was crying, and he found them in the crowd and made eye contact with them directly.
He Completely Protected His Voice During Military Service
He almost completely stopped singing during his mandatory military service. The reason for this was to prevent his vocal cords from becoming unnecessarily tired. His friends who served with him say that he only hummed softly in the shower and never sang at full voice.
He Rehearses His Dance Moves in His Dreams
He practices choreography so much during busy periods that he says he even dances in his sleep. In fact, he has been seen getting up from his bed and dancing several times while asleep. Although he does not remember this when he wakes up, his body works like an automatic pilot.
His Makeup Choices Inspire Professionals
Baekhyun's subtle eye sparkle and lip tones in his makeup have been directly copied in the K-beauty industry and used as product names. In particular, the lip tone named “Peach Baek” became one of the best-selling products of a K-beauty brand and was named directly after him.
His Favorite Studio Microphone Was Imported from Abroad
Baekhyun uses only one model microphone for vocal recordings: the Neumann TLM 103. However, he dislikes the Korean versions of this microphone, so he had a special edition imported from Germany. He doesn't use any other microphone because it gives his voice a “warmer and deeper” sound.
His Food Preferences Are Very Different From What You Might Expect
While he may seem to prefer sophisticated dishes, Baekhyun actually enjoys “filling yet simple” meals. His favorite is his mother's garlic soy sauce chicken. Even when dining at the most luxurious restaurants, he says he's happier if homemade kimchi is available.
A True Competitor in the Gaming World
Baekhyun isn't just someone who plays games for fun; he's a competitive online gamer. He has his own unique tactical style in League of Legends and sometimes plays with smurf accounts to test his strategies. His choice to take on a leadership role in team games mirrors his stage persona.
His Color Preference Doesn't Match His Stage Image
Baekhyun's favorite color is gray because, according to him, it creates a feeling of “neither happy nor sad, but calm.” However, on stage, he often prefers red, blue, and bright tones. This contrast highlights the line between Baekhyun on stage and Byun Baek-hyun in his private life.
Innate Fashion Sense
Stylists say that Baekhyun approaches clothing not just for how they look, but for how they feel. It is known that he has rejected several different outfits during rehearsals simply because he didn't like how the fabric felt on his body. It's no wonder he says, “Clothes have a voice.”
One of SM's Quietest Generators
Studio staff say that on recording days, the studio is “quieter than usual.” The reason is that when he sings, everyone around him unconsciously lowers their voices. His vocal performance creates a kind of “focus” and changes the energy of the studio.
He Chooses His Own Stage Shoes
He places great importance on his ability to move on stage, so he tries on his shoes himself before the stylist does. He tests the heel height, grip, and inner sole support before rehearsals. He often puts hidden non-slip insoles in his shoes for dance scenes.
The Actor Who Changes the Atmosphere on Set
On the set of Moon Lovers, there were comments that “the energy on set dropped” on days when he wasn't there. Other actors say that he boosts morale not only in front of the camera but also behind the scenes. Her sense of humor, small gestures, and spontaneous humming create this effect.
She Loves the Silence of the Night
After busy days, he enjoys sitting at home without turning on any music. Thinking in complete silence is like a “vocal preparation process” for him. This tranquility helps clear his mind before going on stage the next day. The phrase “silence is the foundation of sound” has become his personal motto.
His Closest EXO Member Varies
Baekhyun sometimes connects musically with Chen, while other times he engages in childish banter with Chanyeol. However, it seems that his most stable bond is with D.O. The two can usually understand each other without talking much, and during rehearsals, they can sense which part of the song they are on just by looking at each other.
His Vocal Range Cannot Be Measured Exactly
Although Baekhyun's voice technically falls into the “tenor” category, he has been heard reaching baritone undertones and countertenor heights in some live performances. In particular, during a 2019 concert in Japan, he impressed many vocal coaches by singing three octaves in a single performance.
He Doesn't Just Listen to Music with Headphones
When listening to music, Baekhyun doesn't just use headphones; he also places speakers in different corners of the room to test the sound. He enjoys analyzing tone differences by listening to the same song on three different devices. This habit explains why the sound placement in his solo productions is so rich.
He Creates a ‘Vacuum’ in His Mind Before Going on Stage
He aims to think about nothing right before going on stage. So he turns off his phone, stops talking, and stares at a wall for 1-2 minutes, just breathing. This habit helps him clear his mind and focus entirely on the song.
His Backstage Ritual Is Simple But Definitive
He has a ritual before every performance: he rubs his palms together and touches his chest twice. He does this to regulate his heart rate and, in his own words, as a “gateway from the real world to the stage.”
His Interest in Instruments Is Deeper Than It Seems
Although he is known only for his vocals on stage, he has practiced several instruments at home to a proficient level. He is particularly interested in producing beats with a MIDI keyboard. He creates demo tracks that match his vocal tone and sends them to sound engineers.
He Is Not Afraid to Listen to His Own Voice
While some artists dislike listening to their own recordings, Baekhyun is the opposite. He listens to his recordings repeatedly and gives himself technical feedback. He creates 8-10 different versions of the same song and analyzes which one is more effective in terms of “emotional impact.”
Limiting Himself in the Digital World
Although Baekhyun is active on social media, he does not look at his phone except during certain times. He consciously disconnects from the internet, especially when he is in the production process. He describes these periods of silence as “making peace with creative tension.”
“Baekhyun Legends” Circulating Among Fans
There are many stories circulating in the EXO-L community about Baekhyun that are unclear whether they are true or urban legends. The most widespread one is the claim that during a fan signing event in 2016, he looked at a fan's wrist and said, “You hurt your wrist last week, but it's healing now.” When the fan confirmed this, everyone there fell into a brief silence.
He Doesn't Reveal His Secret Acts of Kindness
According to SM employees, Baekhyun enjoys helping those around him but doesn't want it to be visible. He is known to frequently send gift cards, order food, or leave thank-you notes to the technical crew behind the scenes. However, he never shares this on social media or through the press.
Rumored to Have Received Secret Training in Japan
Another detail circulating among fans is that before EXO's Japanese debut, Baekhyun underwent a short but specialized training in Tokyo to adapt his vocal technique to the Japanese music style. SM has never confirmed this information, but some behind-the-scenes sources whisper that he worked with a Japanese vocal coach for several weeks.
He Tried Writing Songs Based on Scents
Baekhyun, who draws inspiration not only from music but also from scents, once revealed that he wrote a demo after smelling a perfume made of lavender, vetiver, and woody notes. The fact that the song was never released adds a mystical touch to the story.
Fan Debate Over His Ear Piercing
Baekhyun's piercing in his right ear has been removed and reinserted multiple times over the years. This small detail has sparked debate among fans about whether it reflects his state of mind. Especially in his solo projects, wearing the piercing is associated with periods of “pushing personal boundaries.”
A Special Gesture for Fans: Blinking During Songs
Blinking during concerts has become one of his signature moves. However, this is not just stage charisma; it is known that there are “promised” moments for specific fan groups during certain songs. For example, during his “Love Shot” performances, he makes eye contact with fans in the front row and winks at them at a specific moment.
Handwritten Gifts Are Superior to Digital
Baekhyun believes that handwritten items are still more “sincere and real” than digital ones. He writes some of the messages sent to fans on their birthdays himself and scans them. It is even known that he writes some letters with special paper and pens.
Funny Fears
Baekhyun is afraid of high-tech home appliances. When he bought a new robot vacuum cleaner, he didn't plug it in for several nights because he was uncomfortable with it “moving on its own.” He also covered the smart mirror in his house with a sheet for a while.
Charting His Own Course in a Solo Career
Baekhyun's solo debut, “City Lights,” clearly marks a new direction for him in the K-pop industry. The album carries a spirit independent of EXO's style, both vocally and stylistically. In particular, the song “UN Village” is more reminiscent of an R&B artist's work than a typical idol song. Critics described this song as the moment Baekhyun “found his own voice.”
SM's Solo Sales Record
The 2020 album “Delight” became the best-selling solo artist album in SM Entertainment's history. This was not just a commercial success but a significant turning point that changed the perception of solo artists in the industry. Many agencies began to give their group members more opportunities for solo projects afterward.
Global Balancing Role in the SuperM Project
Baekhyun was chosen for SuperM not only as an EXO representative but also as the central figure providing vocal balance. American producers noted that his “vocal tone is very suitable for universal appeal” and that it quickly resonated with Western ears. As a result, most of the opening remarks during the group's first U.S. promotional tour were given to him.
Fashion Brands Use Him as a Style Reference
Baekhyun has transcended the brands he represents, often becoming a source of inspiration for their collections. Brands like Burberry and Privé Alliance have expanded on the styles of pieces he wears in subsequent seasons. Fans have dubbed this phenomenon the “Baekhyun Effect.”
One of EXO's Internal Moral Pillars
Among EXO members, Baekhyun is known as the one who carries the group's psychological weight during difficult times. During internal crises or challenging rehearsal periods, he is often the one who motivates the members. His jokes, improvised songs, and “you have to laugh at this now” expressions keep the team's energy up.
The Only Vocalist Praised by SM Music Directors
One of SM's music directors once said in an interview, “Bringing Baekhyun into the studio is like getting a good microphone. No matter how bad the recording is, his vocals sit on top of it like a filter.” This statement clearly demonstrates the level of trust he has built within the industry.
A Special Recording Room Was Requested for His Vocals
Part of the SM studios were redesigned with special soundproofing and reverb settings for Baekhyun's vocals. Since his voice sounds very layered even at low frequencies, classic studio structures sometimes sound too “clean” for him. With the new arrangements, sound engineers were able to achieve a richer tone.
He Engages in Dialogue with the Camera in Music Videos
Baekhyun's solo music videos are not just visually stunning, but also convey a sense of direct communication with the audience. When he looks into the camera lens, he is not just posing, but seems to be looking directly into the eyes of a viewer. Directors describe this trait as “one of the rare artists who can flirt with the camera.”
Receiving the Most Emotional Feedback from Global Fans
Baekhyun’s fans write more personal stories and emotional letters in the messages they send him compared to other EXO members. This is because his songs’ interpretive power creates a sense of being “personally understood” in the listener. Some fans have openly stated that his voice helped them stay afloat during their depression.