Why EXO’s Playboy Still Belongs on an EXO Setlist
Some EXO songs are built for explosive choreography, soaring vocal climaxes or the instant rush of a festival singalong. “Playboy” works differently. It draws listeners into a darker, smoother space, relying on restraint, close harmonies and a controlled groove rather than sheer volume.
Released on EXODUS in 2015, the track remains one of EXO’s most distinctive R&B cuts. Its sleek production and flirtatious tension gave the album a mature edge, while the members’ contrasting tones made every section feel carefully shaped. Almost a decade later, “Playboy” still sounds stylish rather than tied to one particular era.
For Australian EXO-Ls, the song also carries a special live-performance appeal. A return to Sydney Olympic Park, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena or another major Australian venue would give the track room to become a dramatic stage piece rather than a favourite confined to headphones and playlists.
That possibility is worth revisiting because EXO’s catalogue has always been strongest when it moves between grand spectacle and intimate detail. “Playboy” offers the latter: a performance that could make an arena feel unexpectedly close, even with thousands of fans singing along.
A Song With Its Own Atmosphere
The first reason “Playboy” deserves another stage is its atmosphere. The song does not rush to announce itself. Its bass-led arrangement, crisp percussion and measured vocal delivery create a late-night mood that feels polished, confident and slightly dangerous.
That quality separates it from many of EXO’s bigger title tracks. “Growl” has a sharp rhythmic identity, “Overdose” pushes towards theatrical intensity, and “Call Me Baby” thrives on bright momentum. “Playboy” asks for a different performance language, one based on eye contact, body lines and small gestures.
A live version could make those details much more visible. Instead of treating the song as a brief album cut, EXO could build a set around its tension: a darker lighting palette, narrow spotlights, restrained choreography and camera work that follows individual expressions rather than only showing large formations.
Jonghyun’s Writing Still Feels Timeless
“Playboy” was written and composed by SHINee’s Jonghyun, whose influence is easy to hear in its sophisticated vocal arrangement and sensual R&B framing. The song has an elegant structure, with sections that leave space for the members to colour the melody instead of forcing every moment into a dramatic peak.
That writing gives EXO plenty to explore live. D.O.’s grounded phrasing, Baekhyun’s flexibility, Suho’s clean tone, Chen’s power and the contrasting textures of the rap sections can create a layered performance. The appeal lies in how these voices sit beside one another, not simply in who reaches the highest note.
There is also emotional history in hearing EXO interpret a Jonghyun composition. A live performance could honour the song’s origin without turning it into a memorial piece. Its best tribute would be a confident, carefully rehearsed stage that respects the musicality at the heart of the track.
The Choreography Could Mature With The Members
When “Playboy” first appeared, its performance potential was already clear, but EXO’s members have since developed greater control and stage experience. The choreography could now lean into precision rather than relying on elaborate movement. A few sharp turns, mirrored gestures and changes in formation would be enough to intensify the song.
A new arrangement could also give each member a moment that feels natural. The verses might move through individual close-ups, while the chorus could bring the group together in a low, deliberate formation. That balance would suit the song’s teasing quality and prevent the performance from becoming overworked.
For an Australian audience, this kind of staging would reward people seated far from the main platform as well as fans in the front sections. On a large arena floor, subtle movement needs strong lighting and camera direction, but the payoff can be huge: a performance that feels sophisticated rather than simply loud.
It Would Add Range To A Future Setlist
A concert setlist needs contrast. If every song aims for maximum intensity, the emotional shape of the night becomes flat. “Playboy” could provide a sleek pause between high-energy numbers, giving the audience a chance to settle into the groove before the show rises again.
| Setlist Function | What “Playboy” Brings | Possible Live Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Mood shift | A darker, intimate atmosphere | Low lighting and focused spotlights |
| Vocal showcase | Smooth harmonies and contrasting tones | Alternating solo lines and layered choruses |
| Dance section | Controlled sensuality | Minimal choreography with precise formations |
| Visual change | A mature R&B identity | Monochrome styling and cinematic screens |
| Fan engagement | Recognisable album-favourite status | Call-and-response ad-libs near the ending |
The song could sit naturally beside tracks such as “The Eve,” “Artificial Love” or “Sweet Lies,” creating a cohesive mature-R&B segment. It could also work as a rearranged band performance, with live drums, bass and guitar making the groove warmer without losing its original polish.
For fans who know every album track, that choice would signal care. Concerts are remembered through surprises as much as title tracks, and bringing back “Playboy” would acknowledge the listeners who have kept returning to EXODUS long after its release cycle ended.
Australian EXO-Ls Would Make The Moment Bigger
Australia has a strong appetite for major K-pop tours, but the market is concentrated around a few cities and large venues. Sydney and Melbourne usually receive the most consistent international concert traffic, while fans from Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and regional areas often plan flights, accommodation and time off work to attend.
That travel effort makes deep cuts especially valuable. An Australian fan who has paid for a plane ticket, navigated a packed arena entrance and queued for official merch may remember a carefully chosen album track more vividly than another predictable single. As people might say, it would be a proper treat rather than just another safe choice.
The song would also suit the atmosphere of an evening show at Qudos Bank Arena. Australian crowds can be vocal between songs, but they often become intensely attentive when a performance changes mood. “Playboy” could create that quiet, charged moment before the cheers return.
Fans keeping up with schedules, galleries and performance updates through an EXO fan hub would already understand why this track remains part of the group’s wider conversation. Its appeal is easy to share across generations of EXO-Ls, from people who discovered EXODUS in 2015 to newer listeners exploring the back catalogue.
The Song Has Room For A New Arrangement
A live return does not need to reproduce the studio recording exactly. EXO could slow the tempo slightly, add a live intro or begin with a stripped-back vocal section before the beat enters. That kind of revision would make the performance feel current while preserving the song’s signature tension.
The ending offers particularly strong possibilities. A gradual breakdown could leave space for ad-libs, harmonies and individual interactions, allowing the members to stretch the final chorus in front of the audience. Rather than ending abruptly, the arrangement could dissolve into a spotlight moment before the next song begins.
This flexibility matters because “Playboy” is already structurally clean. It does not need excessive production to become memorable. A thoughtful arrangement, expressive vocals and confident staging would give it the kind of live identity that fans discuss long after the encore.
It Represents The Depth Of EXO’s Catalogue
EXO’s legacy is often summarised through major singles, iconic concepts and high-impact choreography. Those elements are essential, yet the group’s catalogue has greater range than a greatest-hits playlist can show. “Playboy” represents the refined, atmospheric side of EXO that deserves equal attention.
Bringing it back would also challenge the idea that older songs belong only to nostalgia stages. A well-designed performance can reveal new details in familiar material. The members’ voices have changed, their stage presence has matured, and the audience hearing the song today would bring different memories to it.
A live performance would therefore be more than a replay of a 2015 favourite. It could be a reinterpretation that connects EXO’s established sound with the group they are now. That is exactly why “Playboy” still deserves its place beneath concert lights.
EXO-Ls can keep the song visible by streaming it, sharing favourite live-performance ideas and requesting it through official fan channels when tour discussions appear. When setlists are shaped by audience enthusiasm, a sustained chorus of support can help turn a beloved album track into the next unforgettable stage.