EXO member Baekhyun has released his new solo track “Elevator” along with a colorful music video. The song is the lead single from his fifth mini album “Essence of Reverie” which came out on May 19, 2025. Baekhyun shows his signature smooth vocals in this pop R&B track about a chance romantic encounter.
The music video features Baekhyun in various stylish outfits including a bedazzled cowboy hat. It uses bright pop-art visuals to tell the story of a quick connection made in an elevator. The song compares the ups and downs of romance to riding an elevator. Baekhyun’s agency INB100 said the track was chosen to highlight his “boyish charm.”
“Elevator” follows Baekhyun’s successful solo career after debuting with EXO in 2012. His previous hits include “Candy” and “Bambi.” The new mini album has seven tracks all produced with Baekhyun’s input. He described the overall theme as being about “love” and giving back to fans.
The music video starts with a simple elevator ride that turns into a vibrant fantasy. Baekhyun sings about locking eyes with someone and feeling an instant spark. The chorus has a catchy hook with the repeated line “going up, going down” about the emotions of new attraction. Fans have noted the song’s similarity to his past hit “Candy” but with a fresher sound.
Baekhyun said in an interview: “I’m always contemplating musically, and through this album I’m determined that I can always adapt to new things as an artist for my fans.” He worked closely on all aspects of the album including creating a stuffed animal character named Kkuru Jam as part of the concept.
The “Essence of Reverie” album includes other tracks like “Chocolate” which was pre-released, and “Black Dreams” which Baekhyun said is very personal. He explained: “I always tell them to ‘have a black dream,’ which means to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.” The album has a relaxed R&B vibe perfect for spring listening.
Early reactions to “Elevator” have been mixed but mostly positive. One music review site gave it a 7.25 rating, calling it “pleasant enough to pass the time” while praising Baekhyun’s vocals. Fans online seem to enjoy the catchy melody and smooth production. The music video has been praised for its creative visuals and Baekhyun’s charismatic performance.
Some listeners compare “Elevator” to Justin Bieber’s “Yummy” or Ariana Grande’s “Positions” era with its light R&B style. The song doesn’t show much range in melody but highlights Baekhyun’s strong vocal control. Ad-libs near the end give a taste of his impressive singing ability that EXO fans know well.
The mini album continues Baekhyun’s trend of focusing on R&B and pop music that suits his voice. Unlike some K-pop idols who chase trends, he has developed his own signature sound over the years. This consistency has earned him a loyal fanbase who appreciate his musical choices.
Baekhyun will start his first solo world tour called “Reverie” in June 2025. It begins with two shows at Seoul’s KSPO Dome on June 7-8. The tour will likely feature songs from the new album along with his previous hits. Tickets are expected to sell quickly given Baekhyun’s popularity.
The music video for “Elevator” has already gained millions of views within its first day. Fans are especially loving Baekhyun’s fashion in the video including the cowboy hat look. The colorful pop-art style makes it stand out from typical K-pop videos. Scenes alternate between a real elevator set and animated fantasy sequences.
Industry experts note that Baekhyun’s solo work maintains high quality while showing growth. Each release builds on his last without repeating the same ideas. “Elevator” may not be his most groundbreaking song but it delivers what fans expect – smooth vocals, romantic lyrics, and catchy melodies.
One interesting detail is how Baekhyun connects the album to sleep and dreams. The stuffed animal character is designed as a neck pillow. He said the album is themed around “dreams and fantasies” hoping fans will “always have a good night’s sleep.” This creative concept adds depth to the overall project.
The song’s lyrics focus on that magical moment when two people connect unexpectedly. Baekhyun sings about the nervous excitement and possibilities of a new romance. The elevator metaphor works well for describing how relationships can quickly change direction. Fans have already started sharing their own “elevator encounter” stories online.
“This is the type of sound I usually love! I can already feel I’ll replay the heck out of this lol. I’m also sure I’ll like the mini-album.”
“As an enjoyer of Baekhyun’s solo efforts, I actually like this mini a lot, especially Late night calls and Love comes back.”
“This is just Candy 2.0 but I would rather listen to Candy.”
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