The countdown is on for Tao's solo music debut with mini-album T.A.O. The lead rapper of EXO-M, the Mandarin subgroup of the popular Chinese-Korean idol group EXO, is set to release it on July 23. He recently released a teaser video and said on Weibo that his dream has come true.

He posted a message for his fans on his personal Weibo account. Soompi quoted the message as saying, "My dream has finally come true...Thank you to all those who supported me! I'm really, really, really happy. At this moment...let's look forward to [July] 23~."

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Tao, whose real name is Huang Zitao, also posted a photo of himself. In the photo, he is seen sporting a smile and displaying a V sign using his right hand fingers.  The text on the photo, written in white, says "Smile."

This message comes soon after he released a teaser video for this upcoming mini-album. The video shows him drowning, and later he is seen washed ashore and then walking, unsteadily, along the shoreline toward an undisclosed location.  The brief teaser clip ends with a glimpse of a woman, dressed in white, under the water, who is extending her hand for Tao, who is dressed in a classy suit, to hold.  

Recently, the 22-year-old Chinese member of EXO, who has not been active with the group since April, appeared on a Chinese television show and described the hardships that he had to go through during his stay in Korea. He broke down while talking about his life away from home. Netizens attacked him for his comments, saying that he does not have a sense of guilt. They called him "disgusting."

Meanwhile, SM Entertainment has yet to confirm rumors about Tao's departure from their created idol group, EXO. They have not commented on his solo debut, as well. If Tao officially announces his exit from EXO, he will be the third Chinese member to do so. Kris and Luhan quit the group last year and filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, seeking termination of their contracts. The court has yet to give its verdict on their lawsuits.

TagsTao, EXO, Tao mini album, Tao departs EXO, EXO-M