In the dazzling constellation of K-pop stars, few shine with the multifaceted brilliance of Kai. Born Kim Jong-in, he burst onto the scene as the magnetic center of the supergroup EXO, captivating audiences worldwide with his unparalleled dance skills and smoldering stage presence.
But Kai is far more than just EXO’s main dancer; he’s a successful solo artist crafting his own R&B soundscape, a burgeoning actor exploring diverse roles, and a global fashion icon courted by luxury brands. From his early days honing his craft to his current status as a cultural powerhouse, Kai represents a unique blend of raw talent, artistic dedication, and undeniable star quality.
Biography
- Group: EXO
- Real Name: Kim Jong-in (김종인)
- Stage Name: Kai
- Date of Birth: January 14, 1994
- Height: 182 cm (5’11″)
- Country of Origin: South Korea (Suncheon, South Jeolla Province)
- Field of Activity: Singer, Dancer, Actor, Model
- Notable for: Main dancer of EXO, member of SuperM, global fashion ambassador, successful solo career
- Instagram: @zkdlin
Fun Facts
As EXO Member
- The name “KAI” comes from the Chinese word 开 (kāi), which means “to open.” In EXO’s concept and universe storyline, this holds great significance. In the debut song “MAMA” music video, Kai uses his superpower—teleportation—to help members who have lost their memories regain their strength and recollections. He is the only character who can travel between the worlds of EXO-K and EXO-M.
- He is the only EXO member who covers center, vocals, rap, and dance all at once.
- He was cast into SM Entertainment after winning the company’s Youth Best Contest in 2007.
- Kai was the first member of EXO-K to be introduced.
- He appeared in 13 EXO teasers before the group finally debuted.
Liking
- His favorite type of music: R&B and Hip Hop.
- His favorite movies are “Billy Elliot” and “Pirates of The Caribbean.”
- His favorite foods are: fried chicken and roast duck.
- Kai’s favorite number is 1.
- His favorite colors are: Black, Red, Sky Blue.
- He is a huge animal lover and can liken all his fellow members to different animals.
- His favorite fruit is strawberries.
- He’s surprisingly well-versed in various fictional universes, mentioning Dragon Ball, Harry Potter, and Jurassic Park in fan chats.
- A huge LEGO fan, he collects Technic, Harry Potter sets, and often finds rare items on second-hand markets like Danggeun Market.
- He’s a fan of ParkPelle, and ironically ended up working alongside him as a board member for Chelsea Rovers FC on a show.
- Kai loves working, he is a workaholic. He often says that the stage is the source of his happiness, and it shows. He once said he can’t imagine himself off stage.
- His favorite EXO album is Exodus.
- He dislikes raw oyster.
- He loves dancing with all his heart and if he hadn’t become an idol, he would have become a ballerino.
Family Related
- Family: Father, mother, 2 older sisters (one 9 years older and another 5 years older)
- Kai rarely talks about his past on broadcasts, so little is known. However, it was revealed that while living in Suncheon, his mother ran a bakery near his elementary school.
- His family opened a café called Kamong, seemingly named after Kai and his dog Monggu. In reality, it’s short for “Dream (몽) Café.” His father bakes bread and muffins there, as he used to run a bakery.
- His most cherished item is a lucky bracelet given to him by his parents.
- His favorite piece of clothing is a leather jacket his mother bought him in high school, according to GQ Korea.
Others
- He owns a poodle and two toy poodles.
- Though he now looks very masculine, he was often mistaken for a girl in elementary school. His mother liked long hair, so he had long hair back then.
- Kai has strong views about dieting. Since debut, he has always told fans not to diet.
- He is extremely close to SHINee’s Taemin—so much so that Dispatch, while tracking Taemin for dating rumors, only found him hanging out with Kai.
- His ballet background gave him an extraordinary body proportion.
- Before sleeping, he imagines himself dancing or watching football matches in his head.
- He’s sensitive to both heat and cold and often wears long sleeves regardless of the season.
- In fan art crossover with Pokémon, he’s often linked with Cubchoo or Umbreon among the Eeveelutions.
- Everyone says that he looks like a bear and he accepted this fact and now wears clothes with bears on them, calls himself a bear and his fanclub name is erigoms, where ‘gom’ means ‘bear’.
Early Life and Background
Kai grew up in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, South Korea. The youngest in his family, he grew up with two older sisters, one five years his senior and the other nine years older.
From a young age, Kai’s passion was dance. He began training at just eight years old, dedicating four years to learning jazz and ballet. This early immersion in classical forms laid a crucial technical foundation for the dynamic performer he would become. His family, particularly his father, played a significant role in nurturing his talent. It was with his father’s encouragement that a 13-year-old Jong-in auditioned for SM Entertainment’s highly competitive Youth Best Contest in 2007. He not only participated but won, securing a coveted contract with the entertainment giant.
Career
Debut and Rise with EXO: Center Stage
In December 2011, SM Entertainment began unveiling its new boy group, EXO, a project designed with dual sub-units to target both Korean (EXO-K) and Mandarin (EXO-M) markets. Kim Jong-in, now known by his stage name Kai, was the very first member introduced to the public, instantly creating buzz with his compelling teaser videos. He made his first televised appearance even before the group’s official debut, performing alongside fellow members and other SM artists at the SBS Gayo Daejeon year-end show on December 29, 2011.
EXO officially debuted on April 8, 2012, with the powerful single “Mama”. Within the group, particularly its Korean subunit EXO-K, Kai held multiple key positions: Main Dancer, Vocalist, Lead Rapper, Visual, and crucially, the Center. His exceptional dance ability and magnetic charisma quickly established him as a focal point of the group’s performances.
Expanding Horizons: Unit Activities
Beyond EXO’s main activities, Kai participated in several special project groups under SM Entertainment. In October 2012, he joined the promotional unit Younique Unit, a collaboration between SM and Hyundai Motors. Alongside labelmates like Super Junior’s Eunhyuk, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, and SHINee’s Taemin, they released the single “Maxstep”. Later that year, in December 2012, he became part of SM The Performance, a dance-focused group featuring other elite dancers from SM artists like TVXQ’s Yunho and SHINee’s Taemin. They debuted their single “Spectrum” at the SBS Gayo Daejeon.
Years later, in 2019, Kai was selected as a member of SuperM, a “K-pop supergroup” formed by SM Entertainment in partnership with Capitol Records, specifically targeting the American market. Teaming up with members from SHINee (Taemin), NCT 127 (Taeyong, Mark), and WayV (Ten, Lucas), along with fellow EXO member Baekhyun, SuperM debuted in October 2019, further expanding Kai’s global reach.
Solo Spotlight: The Artistry of Kai
After much anticipation, SM Entertainment confirmed in July 2020 that Kai was preparing his solo debut. On November 30, 2020, he released his first self-titled extended play, Kai (K开I), led by the mesmerizing single “Mmmh”. The EP showcased a distinct R&B flavor, characterized by minimalist tracks, addictive melodies, and a sensual, sophisticated vibe, perfectly complementing his fluid performance style. Tracks like “Nothing on Me,” “Amnesia,” “Reason,” “Ride or Die,” and “Hello Stranger” further explored different facets of contemporary R&B.
Exactly one year after his debut, on November 30, 2021, Kai released his second EP, Peaches, along with its title track. While maintaining the R&B foundation, Peaches presented a slightly softer, gentler, and sweeter side of his musicality compared to the bolder debut. It also achieved commercial success, reaching #3 on the Gaon Album Chart and receiving a Platinum certification from the KMCA.
His third EP, Rover, followed on March 13, 2023. The title track “Rover” incorporated infectious reggaeton rhythms, becoming an instant earworm and showcasing his versatility within the R&B spectrum. Like his debut, Rover was accompanied by a performance film released shortly after the EP, further solidifying the synergy between his music and dance. This release marked another milestone, hitting #1 on the Circle Album Chart.
Following his mandatory military service, Kai made a swift return to the music scene. His fourth EP, Wait On Me, was released on April 21, 2025, preceded by the single “Adult Swim”.
Acting
Kai gradually built his acting portfolio, starting with a cameo appearance in the drama To the Beautiful You (2012) and a recurring role playing a fictionalized version of himself in the web series EXO Next Door (2015). His official acting debut came in the 2016 web drama Choco Bank, where he played the lead role of Kim Eun-haeng. He followed this with another web series appearance in 7 First Kisses (2016).
He transitioned to television dramas, securing his first lead role in the KBS teen drama Andante (2017) as Lee Shi-kyung. His performance earned him the Favourite Korean Drama Character award at the StarHub Night of Stars in 2018. He also ventured into Japanese television with a role in Spring Has Come (2018) and appeared in the Korean drama The Miracle We Met (2018). Beyond dramas, Kai has been a cast member or host on various television and web shows, including Under Nineteen, Honeymoon Tavern, New World, and Changing Majors, showcasing his personality off-stage.
Style and Influence: The Fashion World’s Embrace
Kai is widely recognized as one of K-pop’s foremost fashion icons, lauded for his innate style and ability to carry diverse looks. His most significant fashion partnership has been with the Italian luxury house Gucci. In 2019, he was appointed as Gucci’s Global Ambassador, making history as the first Korean male celebrity to hold this prestigious title. He has since fronted numerous campaigns, including for Gucci Eyewear (Spring/Summer 2020) , attended high-profile shows, and even collaborated on an exclusive ‘Kai x Gucci’ capsule collection featuring bear motifs, a nod to one of his popular nicknames. His contract as a global ambassador has also been renewed, signifying the strength and success of the partnership.
Beyond Gucci, Kai became the first male muse for the cosmetics brand Bobbi Brown in 2020 and was later appointed as a local muse for YSL Beauty. His early involvement with the Hyundai collaboration via Younique Unit also counts among his endorsements.
Kai’s appointment as Gucci’s first Korean male global ambassador was more than just a high-profile endorsement; it marked a pivotal moment in the intersection of K-pop and luxury fashion. Occurring as the global influence of Korean pop culture was rapidly expanding, this partnership signaled a recognition by legacy fashion houses of K-pop idols not just as musicians, but as powerful global trendsetters and style figures.
Personal Life
Dating History
Kai has been involved in two publicly confirmed romantic relationships, both with fellow top-tier K-pop idols and both brought to light by the Korean media outlet Dispatch.
- Krystal Jung – f(x): In April 2016, SM Entertainment confirmed that Kai and Krystal Jung, a member of the girl group f(x) and fellow SM artist, were dating. The two had known each other since their trainee days. Their relationship, often dubbed the “SM couple,” lasted for approximately 14 months before their breakup was confirmed in June 2017.
- Jennie Kim – BLACKPINK: On January 1, 2019, Dispatch revealed that Kai was dating Jennie Kim, a member of the globally popular group Blackpink. Their agencies confirmed the relationship shortly after. However, the relationship was relatively short-lived, with news of their separation emerging later the same month.
Friendships
Kai maintains strong friendships within the entertainment industry. He is famously part of the “Padding Squad,” a close-knit group of friends that includes SHINee’s Taemin, BTS’s Jimin, VIXX’s Ravi, former Wanna One member Ha Sungwoon, and HOTSHOT’s Timoteo. His friendship with Taemin is particularly long-standing, predating their respective debuts as they trained together at SM Entertainment.
Net Worth
As of 2025, EXO’s Kai boasts an estimated net worth ranging between $8 million and $13 million.
Controversies/Incidents
Injury Controversy and the Fandom Fallout
After Kai and Krystal’s relationship was confirmed on April 1, 2016, attention quickly turned to Kai’s leg injury, which became a major point of controversy. Reports linked his injury to a ski trip he allegedly took with Krystal, but the timing and details were vague. Fans questioned the inconsistency between the article and eyewitness accounts, which placed Kai alone at the medical room. Suspicion deepened when he was later seen using a wheelchair at the airport, despite previously walking with a cast over skinny jeans and no supportive footwear.
Some fans defended him, claiming it was a removable cast, but others found the wheelchair unnecessary and viewed it as excessive. The optics, especially with the cast worn over pants and without proper support, reminded some of dramatic media appearances by disgraced executives, leading to further skepticism.
Fan reaction was deeply divided. While some supported the relationship, others criticized Kai for damaging the carefully crafted image of a dedicated, uninterested-in-dating artist. The scandal, combined with the ambiguous handling of the injury, triggered a wave of disillusionment within the fandom.
Controversy Over COVID-19 Safety Protocol Remarks
In January 2021, EXO’s Kai faced backlash after making remarks about COVID-19 safety guidelines during a birthday Instagram Live. While celebrating with friends, including VIXX’s Ravi and HOTSHOT’s Timoteo, he joked about keeping the group at four people to comply with the “no gatherings of five or more” rule. However, viewers noticed that the friends who had appeared to be on video call were actually present, suggesting they had broken the rule.
Netizens criticized Kai for misunderstanding or downplaying the seriousness of the guidelines. South Korea’s health authorities clarified that the restriction was intended to discourage all private gatherings, not just limit them in number. Despite calls for an apology, Kai did not respond publicly, drawing further concern over his handling of the situation.
Achievements and Awards
Kai’s achievements span multiple facets of the entertainment industry, showcasing his versatility as an artist and performer. As a member of EXO, he has been instrumental in the group’s phenomenal success, contributing to their numerous awards and record-breaking performances. His dynamic stage presence and exceptional dance skills have been crucial elements in EXO’s powerful live performances and music video productions.
His work with SuperM marked another significant milestone in his career, as the group made history by becoming the first Korean act to top the Billboard 200 with their debut release. This achievement helped establish his presence in the Western market and demonstrated his ability to succeed in different musical contexts.
As a solo artist, Kai has carved out his own unique space in the industry. His debut mini-album “KAI (开)” received critical acclaim for its artistic direction and performance quality. The follow-up releases “Peaches” and “Rover” further cemented his position as a successful solo artist, each showcasing different aspects of his artistry while maintaining his distinctive style. These releases have achieved significant commercial success both domestically and internationally.
In the fashion world, his accomplishments are equally impressive. As Gucci’s first Korean global ambassador, he has broken new ground for K-pop artists in the luxury fashion industry. His influence in fashion has been recognized through numerous magazine features, fashion show appearances, and exclusive collaborations. His unique style and presence have earned him recognition as a fashion icon, with several style-related awards and acknowledgments from the fashion industry.
