Huang Zi Tao

What I Believe ~

I want to dedicate this post just about how I see Huang Zi Tao of EXO and why I adore and support him.

The recent rumors have said that he flirts around with girls a lot, and in previous posts, I’ve seen that it was rumored that he had many girlfriends in the past. It was rumored that he drank and smoked occasionally because he was more of the rebellious type because his parents did not give himenough love.

I can’t really believe these rumors. I would believe that his parents are the strict type, but not the kind to not give him any love. There’s no real evidence, but perhaps his timidness comes from the parenting he received. I believe they were strict, the kind that give tough love… the kind one truly begins to appreciate once one is separated from them or when one comes of age. But one thing’s for sure, he doesn’t come from a rich family; that’s evident in his past Weibo posts in which he’s determined to make money. He began working at the age of 16.

“Money,money,money,keep up the good work!” May,2009. (Tao’s weibo translated)

But the boy made money so that he could give gifts to his parents also. Although they may have been strict to him, and maybe not give him as much attention as normal parents would’ve, he still thinks of them. Still wants to please them.

“I’m a waiter now,fighting! Dad,thanks for everything you have done for me. I love you!” Dec.2009 

“I earned a handbag for my mother, and a pen for my dad. So happy!” Feb,2010

“Dad, our dream definitely could come ture. Mom, whatever you like I’ll buy for you!” Jan,2011

“Father and mother, I miss you so much.” Mar,2011

He’s a good son… caring a lot about his family.

However, one rumor I definitely can not believe is that, no matter what, I can’t see him as a womanizer type because from what I’ve seen, he’s rather socially awkward. When around others, including his band mates, he’s often to the side when they’re goofing off. He’s extremely honest as well. I imagine womanizers to be more of the clever, trickier kind with great people skills.

It also doesn’t bother me if he has engaged in drinking or smoking (as rumored). That’s sort of normal coming from a teenager in East Asia. Teenagers everywhere also try drinking too. (And drinking is totally normal in East Asia.) But one of his Weibo statuses did say…

“I never smoke,I feel like vomiting even when I smell it.” May,2010

So maybe he hasn’t; maybe he has only tried it. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me.

But his dark past filled with financial hardship, people telling him that he can’t make it as a singer/rapper, perhaps strict parents… is this why he seems to have such a dark look about him? He’s endured more than many well-off kids have.

“The more you may feel like giving up, the more you can’t do that. Think through your past, Huang Zi Tao, please never, never do that.” Nov.2010

I was totally surprised to find that he’s actually a big emotional cry baby, but now that these rumors have surfaced, although I don’t believe all of it, I can see why he seems to have such a lingering dark aura about him, the same kind that changed people have. It comes from his past.

Apart from the more negative rumors, I believe that Tao has been an honest person since he was young. Though he does try to take shortcuts sometimes (his cheating strategies to get answers on shows like China Song or the one with the little girls), I think everything meaningful that he says is the truth. His tears are very real. You can’t fake that. I don’t think he would cry just to gain popularity or get attention.