I. Introduction
Empathy is the solo debut EP from D.O. of the boy group EXO. It was released on July 26, 2021 and features 8 songs, including the lead single "Rose."
II. Background & Release
D.O. is one of the main vocalists of the group EXO. After completing his mandatory military service in January 2021, rumors began to circulate about his solo release later in the year, including his own hints. D.O. is the last of the main vocalists to release a solo, after Chen and Baekhyun, and the sixth EXO member. His debut EP was announced on June 30, after the release of EXO's Don't Fight the Feeling in June 2021, where D.O. appeared with his group mates for the first time since his enlistment in 2019.
SM released weeks of teaser images, a mood sampler and a highlight medley, leading up to the EP's release; however, the EP received minimal promotion with no appearances on music shows, as D.O. was filming an upcoming drama.
The EP has three versions: Blue, Grey and a photobook version. The EP features 8 tracks in Korean, English and Spanish, including two songs that D.O. co-wrote. The singer said he chose to focus on acoustic music for the album, saying he wanted to focus on the music he wanted to do. He said that after deciding the theme of the album as empathy, he wanted to write a song that focused on love and provided comfort. He wrote the lyrics to the lead single "Rose," which appeared in a Korean and English version, as well as "I'm Fine." Another track on the EP, "It's Love," featured an English and Spanish version.
III. Tracklist
| Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Rose" | D.O. | Axel Ehnstrom, Benjamin Ingrosso, Emanuel Abrahamsson | Emanuel Abrahamsson | 2:33 |
| "I'm Gonna Love You" | Wonstein, danke (lalala studio) | Jim Lavigne, Michael Matosic, Edwin Honoret, Larus Om Arnason | Larus Om Arnason | 2:31 |
| "My Love" | Hwang Yoo Bin |
Andreas Ringblom, eaJ & 220 |
220 |
2:54 |
| " 다시, 사랑이야 (It's Love)" | Jo Yoon Kyung | Maria Marcus, Cindy Gomez, Danny Saucedo, Andreas Oberg | Maria Marcus, Andreas Oberg | 3:57 |
| "나의 아버지" (Dad) | Jo Yoon Kyung | Dave Gibson, David Sneddon, The Aristocrats, Jon Hume | The Aristocrats | 2:54 |
| "I'm Fine" | Kim To Kki, Hwang Yoo Bin, D.O. | Pierre Heath, Celeste Williams, Josephine Carr, Emile Ghantous | Emile Ghantous | 3:09 |
| "Rose (English Ver.)" | Emanuel Abrahamsson, Benjamin Ingrosso | Axel Ehnstrom, Benjamin Ingrosso, Emanuel Abrahamsson | Emanuel Abrahamsson | 2:33 |
| "Si Fueras Mia" | Andreas Oberg, Danny Saucedo | Andreas Oberg, Maria Marcus, Cindy Gomez, Danny Saucedo | Andreas Oberg, Maria Marcus | 3:57 |
IV. Spotify Playlist
V. Videos
Rose MV:
Highlight Medley
Mood Sampler:
VI. Concept Photos
VII. Reception
The album debuted at the top of the Korean Gaon charts and reached #4 on the Japanese Oricon charts. The album also topped the iTunes albums charts in 59 regions, including the U.S. and Canada, as well as China's QQ Music, Kuwo Music and Kugou Music. It reached #14 on the U.S. World albums chart. It was certified Platinum in Korea. The lead single "Rose" reached #33 on Gaon and #16 on the U.S. Billboard World songs chart.
