Did SM Entertainment deliberately try to "sabotage" EXO's comeback? In a recent live stream, the producer of the group's b-sidetrack "Cinderella" revealed that the company forgot to add THIS, making it "incomplete."
Producer MZMC Reveals How EXO's 'Cinderella' Was Supposed to Sound
Amid the high interest in EXO's new album "EXIST," released on July 10, SM Entertainment continues to garner criticism from EXO-Ls/Eris (EXO fandom) for "mistreating" the group.
Prior to its release, EXO-Ls have been voicing their anger against the company for "poor" promotion and lack of support.
ALSO READ: EXO's Live Performance of Hits 'Growl,' 'Overdose,' More Gets Rave Reviews from K-pop Fans: 'They all sing so good'
Just then, the fandom's disappointment got even bigger after the SM producer, who was credited for EXO's b-sides "Cinderella" and "Private Party," revealed that the agency released the former song's "incomplete" version.
In a recent Instagram live broadcast, Producer Marz/MZMC who communicated with Eris confessed that SM Entertainment might have forgotten or intentionally scrapped the drums sound that should be added in the bridge part of "Cinderella."
In the demo version, Baekhyun's high notes singing "Cinderella" in the 1:30 min timestamp of the song should be followed by a drum sound.
However, in the released version, Producer Marz described it as "empty" after the drums were omitted from it.
marz producer of exo song’s said on his ig live today that “cinderella” is incomplete bcs it has a missing drums sounds, he also said that sm didn't listen & fixed it, so the “cinderella” song they released doesn't have drums sound on it
— 핑키훈 (•͈⌔•͈⑅) waiting for u osh! (@xunonme) July 12, 2023
no drums w/drums pic.twitter.com/C0w8Jre0IX
While the company has always the final say when releasing its artist's song, the producer also implied that he wasn't able to fix or comment on it as SM Entertainment didn't let him listen to the final version prior to its release, when most of the companies he worked with before usually did.
SM Entertainment Accused of 'Sabotaging' EXO's Comeback
Initially, "Cinderella," even without the drums, immediately became fans' favorite, thanks to the pleasing sound and vocals of the members.
Some fans even implied that it was probably better off without the drums.
Other EXO-Ls also defended SM and explained that there must have been a reason the company has to delete the drums part.
I’m curious tho, did they “forget” the drum sounds or did they decide it sounded better without them? I can’t really hear much in the recording since the volume is so low, so I can’t tell if it sounds “better” with drums or not. As it is, I do enjoy Cinderella how it sounds now.
— 🍒 victoria saw subaekyeolxiuchenxingsoo 🍓 (@enfeuamour) July 13, 2023
However, after listening to the demo version, it left a bad taste among some Eris who questioned SM Entertainment's intention for omitting it. Fans pointed out how disrespectful it was to the producer and accused the company of trying to intentionally ruin the group's comeback.
some people really didn't get the whole point of it and trying to defend sm. mzmc producer confirmed drums SHOULD be there. SM didn't send him final version too which is kinda disrespectful. i never said cinderella is a bad song. it's actually my fave song from album
— exist ✴︎ (@allllkpop_) July 12, 2023
SM you will rot. Karma doesn’t work fast enough in my opinion.
— EXO ERROR 404! (@I_KENT_BELIB) July 12, 2023
A screw up on preorders, no promo, no company support. NO FCCKING DRUMS ON CINDERELLA.
I h8 you, you mf useless excuse of a company. 🙂 https://t.co/xzScEx1hXW
SM being the worst company once again, they didn't put the drums on this part of the song and ruined producers' expectations. you can imagine how disappointed they were
— Lynツ is in her BLACK OUT era (@beaglenine) July 12, 2023
this is so unprofessional of u sm.
JUSTICE FOR CINDERELLA pic.twitter.com/7qW3IJNYTB
Marz is live rn !!
— 🌠 (@snow6lake) July 12, 2023
He said sm didn't include drums in Cinderella but he submitted it with drums !! sm forgot to add the drums !!
Oh my god !! I hate that company 😭😭
Amid the heated debate, SM Entertainment is yet to release its official position about it.
Meanwhile, EXO finally released their 7th full album "EXIST" on July 10. Excluding Kai and Lay, the album sold 1.6 million pre-orders and 1.07 million copies on its first day alone.
EXO, which debuted in 2012 and reigned as the only million seller for a while, proved that they still have strong firepower even though they are in their 12th year this year.
READ MORE: Eris, K-pop Stans Weigh In on Chen Being Part of EXO: 'I can acknowledge his vocals but...'
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