Chen

Chen, born Kim Jong-dae, is the main vocalist of the South Korean-Chinese boy band EXO, a group that helped define the sound of third-generation K-pop. Known for his soaring high notes and warm, expressive tone, Chen has spent over a decade proving why fans and fellow idols alike consider him one of the finest vocalists in the industry.

Born on September 21, 1992, in Daejeon, Chen grew up in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, alongside an older brother. He caught the attention of SM Entertainment through the company’s casting system in 2011, and just months later, on December 29, 2011, he was introduced as EXO’s fourth member. When EXO debuted on April 8, 2012, with the mini album Mama, Chen quickly became known for the emotional power he could bring to a chorus.

Beyond his group work, Chen built a reputation as a go-to voice for Korean drama soundtracks, lending his vocals to hit OSTs like “Best Luck” for It’s Okay, That’s Love and “Everytime” for Descendants of the Sun, the latter topping South Korea’s digital charts. In 2016, he joined labelmates Baekhyun and Xiumin to form the subunit EXO-CBX, adding another dimension to his discography.

Chen stepped into a solo career in 2019 with the EP April, and a Flower, led by the single “Beautiful Goodbye,” and followed it quickly with Dear My Dear. After completing his mandatory military service between 2020 and 2022, he returned with Last Scene, Polaris, DOOR, and Arcadia, cementing himself as one of the most consistent solo balladeers to come out of EXO.

Off stage, Chen is known for his playful, prankster personality, his devotion to his family, and his enduring bond with EXO-L, the fandom that has followed him from his trainee days to his life today as a husband and father.