"Modern Farmer" Writer Explains and Apologizes: "I Didn't Have the Intention to Belittle EXO"

After fans of EXO (known as EXO-L) have expressed their disappointment in the upcoming SBS weekend drama “Modern Farmer” for using EXO’s name in the drama, lead actor Lee Hong Ki of FTISLAND has made his apology. Many fans came to the defense of the singer-actor and said that he’s not the one who should be apologizing as it isn’t his fault but that of the writer’s.

Thus, on October 16, screenwriter Kim Ki Ho, the writer of “Modern Farmer,” has explained his side and made an apology at the preview screening of the upcoming SBS weekend drama.

Writer Kim Ki Ho explained, “In the drama, the band members did well seven years before but I wondered whether we could express their terrible situation even more comically. So while having the same name as this generation’s icon EXO, I thought it would be even more comical if, because of the same name, they (the fictional band) would even be denounced as a fake singer. That’s why I named the band ‘EXO’ (or EX-SO, short for “Excellent Souls).”

“It wasn’t my intention to degrade EXO. The EXO fans have gotten very angry now. I thought I needed to care more. I’m sorry,” Kim Ki Ho apologized.

“However, I hope they think that it’s a dramatic device. I hope they don’t take offense too much and just take it as a dramatic interest and something that adds to the drama,” added Kim Ki Ho.

SBS’ upcoming weekend drama “Modern Farmer” tells the story of a rock band composed of four young men who wanted to escape life and become farmers instead.

“Modern Farmer” will air its first episode on October 18, 8:45 p.m. (KST) on SBS.