Kris Wu, also known as Wu Yifan, is a former member of EXO (stage name Kris) and was once a top star in China before his crime got exposed.
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Kris Wu’s Biography
- Real Name: Li Jiaheng, later legally changed to Wu Yifan (吴亦凡)
- Stage Name: Kris Wu (Kris when under EXO)
- Date of Birth: November 6, 1990
- Place of Birth: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Zodiac sign: Scorpio
- Height: 187.8 cm (6’2″)
- Instagram: @kriswu
Kris Wu’s Career
Debut & Departure from EXO
In 2012, EXO, the group that heralded the third generation of K-pop, officially debuted. The group launched with 12 members: 8 Koreans and 4 Chinese. SM Entertainment’s initial strategy was to “expand” EXO in the domestic market and the highly promising Chinese market. The 4 Chinese members included Kris Wu (Wu Yifan), Luhan, Tao (Huang Zitao), and Lay (Zhang Yixing).
With its musical prowess and a lineup of members more beautiful than flowers, EXO quickly rose to fame, leading the Hallyu wave. Among the members, Kris Wu stood out with his rap and dance skills. His cold, god-like appearance captivated fangirls. In the early days, Kris Wu was one of the most fan-attracting members.
Amid EXO’s immense popularity with the national hits “Growl” and “Overdose,” three Chinese members—Kris, Luhan, and Tao—filed lawsuits against SM in 2014 and returned to China. Although they lost the lawsuits and had to compensate SM, their return to their “homeland” also paved the way for their careers to flourish, particularly for Kris Wu.
Capitalizing on the existing allure of being a K-pop idol, Kris Wu actively participated in various entertainment activities, from music and films to reality shows and fashion. After a few idol dramas, Kris Wu elevated his reputation to the level of a “top-tier” star in the Chinese entertainment industry.
The former EXO member was dubbed one of the “Four Major Traffic Stars,” alongside Luhan, Li Yifeng, and Yang Yang. At his peak, Kris Wu had over 50 million fans on Weibo.
With his growing fame, Kris Wu secured numerous lucrative contracts and consistently made it to the list of China’s top 10 celebrities by Forbes for several consecutive years. According to Forbes in 2017, Kris Wu’s annual income reached 150 million yuan (over 500 billion VND).
Kris Wu also expanded his music career internationally, frequently performing in the United States.
From Top Star to Criminal
However, Kris Wu’s glory didn’t last forever. In July 2021, the entertainment industry was rocked by Kris Wu’s sexual scandal. The top idol was accused by internet celebrity Du Meizhu of promiscuity, sexual assault of minors, and slandering colleagues.
Kris Wu faced an unprecedented wave of boycotts, and his assets were frozen. Facing legal troubles, Kris Wu was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months for rape and an additional 1 year and 10 months for other crimes, along with deportation from China.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, Kris Wu filed an appeal. However, in November 2023, the Beijing No. 3 Intermediate People’s Court rejected Kris Wu’s appeal and upheld the original sentence. Currently, the once “traffic star” is still serving his sentence.
After entering prison, information about Kris Wu continues to draw significant public attention. In October 2023, a Chinese program updated the public on Kris Wu’s life in prison, revealing that the former EXO member had returned to composing music and even participated in talent competitions within the prison.
Kris Wu’s case has led to deep public reflection. Behind the glamour, the superficial life filled with wealth and fame, many artists have lost control of themselves. Kris Wu has paid a heavy price for his actions. Stars must realize the importance of self-management, setting an example for the public by respecting the law, their work, and their audience. Only then can their artistic careers continue to flourish.
Kris Wu’s final release as a singer was the song “B.M”, while his final acting project was supposed to be “The Journey of Flower” before the reveal of his numerous crime. The project reportedly found another actor to replace Kris and was set to be re-filmed.
Kris Wu’s Trivia
Kris Wu’s parents split when he was still a baby and he has never met his biological father, nor does he has any interest in connecting with his father. After his parents divorced, Kris Wu took his mother’s surname.
Before he turned 10, Kris was constantly being moved between Gansu (his grandparents’ hometown) and Guangzhou (his hometown). At the age of 10, he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with his mother, and eventually became a trainee at SM Entertain in 2008.
Kris Wu is fluent in 4 languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean. He is also good at basketball.
