EXO’s Suho released his fourth mini album, “Who Are You”, on September 22nd, 2025. The album contains 7 tracks featuring a variety of rock genres. Suho has always been reliable when it comes to solid rock-influenced tracks, and this mini album does not disappoint. With his first mini album, “Self Portrait”, Suho came out of the gate with a myriad of ballads. It’s refreshing to see him portray the rock image he’s admired throughout his career. He mirrors an image similar to artists such as The Beatles and David Bowie. Suho brings out his individuality with his grunge styling and striking auburn hair for this era.

The mini album begins and ends with the title track in both a Korean and English version. “Who Are You” is an alt-rock track about growing apart from a partner, which eventually leads to the two breaking up. This song is a stark contrast to the love songs that follow. The consistent electric guitar and hard-hitting vocals drive this song forward and leave a lasting impact on the listener.

The music video shows Suho taking care of two masked individuals and leading them through multiple settings before finally ending at a campfire. The two masked individuals bicker consistently in the beginning, but as Suho takes them on an adventure, they all seem to be enjoying themselves. It seems like Suho is giving the two of them a chance to reconcile their differences, or at least one last “hurrah” before an inevitable break-up. In the final moments of the video, Suho leans in to unmask them, but the video cuts off before we are able to see their faces. In the last clip, Suho looks off into the distance, seemingly reminiscing about the time spent together. Whether the individuals were a reflection of his own past relationship or one that he was simply aiding, Suho was affected by it nonetheless.

The second track, “Light The Fire”, talks of an intense, uncontrollable desire between two lovers. The lyrics highlight how even just the brush of their fingertips ignites a rush of dopamine for the speaker. The song’s instrumental is similarly intense, complementing the lyrics with a strong and consistent kick drum line as well as an exhilarating guitar melody that is especially highlighted in the bridge and final chorus. It’s a wonderful contrast to some of the laid-back tracks that follow.

“Medicine” stands out. This song is like nothing I’ve ever heard from a K-pop act. The instrumental sounds akin to an ‘80s space movie soundtrack with funky synth and fluttering vocals. The retro feeling made this song an instant fan favorite. In my opinion, it might be one of the best ‘80s-influenced K-pop songs out there, as it feels more true to the source material inspiration than other tracks. The lyrics invite the listener to be Suho’s medicine. Suho has built up a tolerance, and he needs an increased amount of his medicine to quell the pain in his heart.

“Birthday” keeps the upbeat and funky feeling. He sings about singing loud and performing like there's no one in the room watching them, like it's the listener's birthday. He encourages them to go until their voice goes hoarse, and to make a “lovely mess”. It seems that he’s likening an intimate relationship to a performance as he encourages the listener to just do what they want and play the music as loud as they’d like. It’s sexy and fun, and reminiscent of the playful energy he brought with “Hurdle” back in 2022.

“Golden Hour” is an upbeat and tender song about having someone be his golden hour that brightens his everyday life, even with the most mundane conversations. He sings, “We can make this moment last a lifetime”, inviting the listener to reflect on how even the shortest moments are impactful if they’re with the person you love. It’s a refreshing reminder to never take advantage of your time with your lover.

“Fadeout” is a soft rock closer to the mini album. His emotional vocals bring forward a regretful and forlorn feeling. He describes how even if the relationship’s final moments fade out like a movie scene, the listener will still shine on. As time goes on and the feelings fade, he wishes his old lover happiness and urges them to no longer cry for him. This hard hitting message closes the album on a more melancholy note, similar to the opening.

Overall Suho tells stories of both the tender loving and eventual failure of love lives. Through his soft rock ballads and funky indie rock, Suho has impressed fans once again with his versatility and rock influenced discography. The album is solid and the songs complement each other yet still stand out on their own. This project is well done, and I recommend you see for yourself just how enjoyable the listening experience is.

Written by Taylor McKay

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