Lay

Who Is Lay?

Lay, born Zhang Yixing on October 7, 1991, in Changsha, Hunan, is a Chinese singer-songwriter, producer, dancer, and actor best known as the main dancer of the boy group EXO and its Chinese sub-unit EXO-M. Before joining SM Entertainment, he was already a recognizable face in China, having placed third in the televised talent competition “Star Academy” in 2005 at just 14 years old.

Trainee Days and EXO Debut

Lay successfully auditioned for SM Entertainment’s global casting system in 2008 and moved to South Korea to train, eventually debuting with EXO and EXO-M in April 2012 through the mini album Mama. He built a reputation as one of the group’s strongest dancers, known for his sharp, street-style movement and a wide vocal range.

Solo Career in China and Beyond

Lay made his Chinese solo debut in October 2016 with the EP Lose Control, which went on to become one of the best-selling Chinese-language albums ever released in South Korea. He followed it with releases such as Sheep and the English-language album Namanana, writing and producing much of his own material along the way. In 2020, he founded his own company, Chromosome Entertainment Group, expanding into artist development and management.

Acting, Variety, and Global Recognition

Beyond music, Lay has built an extensive acting career in Chinese film and television, and became widely known in China through his long-running role on the variety show Go Fighting! and as a mentor on survival shows like Idol Producer and Youth With You. He has also represented international brands including Valentino and Converse, and appeared at the Met Gala as one of the few Chinese celebrities invited to the event.

Leaving SM Entertainment

In April 2022, on the tenth anniversary of his debut, Lay announced through a handwritten letter that he would not renew his contract with SM Entertainment, while confirming he would remain a member of EXO. He continues to balance his work as an independent artist in China with group activities as an EXO member.