Biography of Chen
Kim Jong-dae popularly known as Chen is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He is a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy band Exo and its main vocalist, its subgroup Exo-M and its subunit Exo-CBX and participated in SM’s projects SM the Ballad.
Along with his group’s activities, he has also displayed his talents in various television dramas like ‘Best Luck’ for ‘It’s Okay, That’s Love’ (2014) and ‘Everytime’ for ‘Descendants of the Sun‘ (2016).
His solo artistry debut was in the year 2019 with his extended play ‘April, and a Flower’, which ranked number two on South Korea’s Gaon Album Chart. The EP had a hit single ‘Beautiful Goodbye’. He released his second EP ‘Dear My Dear’ with the single ‘Shall We’? released in the same year.
Early Life and Education
Chen was born on 21 September 1992 in Daejeon and was raised in Jeongwang-dong, a neighbourhood of Siheung. His family consists of father, mother and his older brother. He completed his education at Hanyang Cyber University majoring in Advertisement Media MBA.
Before debuting, his parents were against him becoming a singer, but when they learned that it was SM Entertainment who offered him the opportunity, they became supportive. He was scouted by the agent of SM Entertainment which opened a new path for him and his parents were also supportive of him for the same.
Career
Before debuting, his parents were against him becoming a singer, but when they learned that it was SM Entertainment who offered him the opportunity, they became supportive.
At the age of 19, Chen became a trainee at SM Entertainment through the company’s Casting System in 2011. He was officially introduced as the fourth member of Exo On 29 December 2011. He made his first public appearance at the 2011 SBS Gayo Daejeon along with other Exo members like Luhan, Tao and Kai.
In 2014, he joined the ballad group SM the Ballad. For the group’s second album ‘Breath’, he sang the lead single of the same name in collaboration with Zhang Liyin. He also sang a duet with Krystal titled ‘When I Was… When U Were…’ and ‘A Day Without You’ with Jonghyun. The duets were performed live at the SM Ballad Joint Recital.
He released his first solo song in 2014 titled ‘The Best Luck’, which was the original soundtrack for the SBS drama ‘It’s Okay, That’s Love’ starring his fellow member D.O. The drama narrates the love story between a psychiatrist and a novelist who suffers from schizophrenia. The soundtrack was celebrated and was awarded ‘Best OST by a Male Artist’ and ‘Best OST Song’ at the 5th So-Loved Awards and the 16th Seoul International Youth Film Festival respectively. He was invited as a special performer at the 3rd APAN Star Awards.
Chen co-wrote the lyrics with Chanyeol and Lay for the reissued edition of Exo’s second studio album ‘Exodus’, ‘Promise’. He marked his theatre debut with the role of Benny in the SM C&C production ‘In the Heights’ (2015). He participated and became the runner-up in the eleventh round of King of Mask Singer, the music television show under the alias ‘Legendary Guitar Man’.
As a part of UNICEF’s Imagine Project, he performed John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’ with pianist Steve Barakatt in 2016. The performance was held at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Chen and South Korean singer Punch released a duet titled ‘Everytime’, the soundtrack for the KBS drama ‘Descendants of the Sun’. The drama narrates the unexpected love story of a special force officer falling in love with a surgeon. The soundtrack topped number one on Gaon’s weekly digital chart. Chen and the South Korean rapper collaborated and released ‘Lil Something’ produced by Vibe member Ryu Jae-hyun. The song was a part of the ninth weekly single of SM Entertainment’s Station music project.
For the SBS drama ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ he collaborated with the Exo members Xiumin and Baekhyun in 2016. The action fantasy drama narrates the time travel to the past and the power struggles in confiscating the throne. He also collaborated with DJ Alesso for the Station project ‘Years’. Chen together with Baekhyun and Xiumin became a member of Exo’s first sub-unit Exo-CBX. The group’s debut was with the extended play ‘Hey Mama!’
Chen became the first artist to be featured in the group’s collaboration project named ‘Mixture’. He collaborated with Dynamic Duo for the song ‘Nosedive’ in 2017. The song ranked number two on the Gaon Digital Chart. In 2017, he released an original soundtrack ‘I’m Not Okay’ for the MBC drama ‘Missing 9’. The drama revolves around the mysterious plane crash featuring Exo member Chanyeol playing a supportive role.
For Exo’s fourth studio album, ‘The War’ he co-written the lyrics for the tracks ‘Touch It’ and ‘Ko Ko Bop’. He collaborated with South Korean singer 10cm on the song ‘Bye Babe’. He performed with Suho, Baekhyun and D.O. for the ‘Lights Out’ from Exo’s EP ‘Universe’, to which he wrote the lyrics.
For the drama ‘100 Days My Prince’, Chen released an original soundtrack ‘Cherry Blossom Love Song’ on 16 October 2018. The drama depicts the Crown Prince of Joseon undergoing temporary amnesia and explores the lives of the commoners. He and Chanyeol wrote the lyrics for ‘Love Shot’ the title track from the reissued edition of Exo’s fifth studio album, ‘Don’t Mess Up My Tempo’.
On 7 February 2019, he released ‘Make It Count’ for the drama ‘Touch Your Heart’ on 7 February 2019. His first solo album debut was named ‘April, and a Flower’ with six songs in the album with the title song ‘Beautiful Goodbye’. The album peaked at number two on South Korea’s Gaon Album Chart.
He collaborated with the South Korean singer Onestar for the single ‘May We Bye’. He was featured on Ailee‘s song ‘Love’ from her album ‘Butterfly’. He released his second mini-album, ‘Dear My Dear’ with six songs and the title track ‘Shall We?’.
On 23 January 2020, Chen and Dynamic Duo collaborated on the song ‘You’. For the drama ‘Do You Like Brahms?’ he released an original soundtrack titled ‘Your Moonlight’. The storyline of the drama wanders between reality and talent and the love for classical music. Before his enlistment in military service, he released a digital single ‘Hello’.
On 14 November 2022, Chen released his third mini album ‘Last Scene’. The album topped number one on the Circle Album Chart. He released his second OST track ‘Heaven for You’ for the SBS TV series ‘The First Responders’. The SM Station single ‘My Flower Your Light’, a collaborative single was released by Chen and Yang Hee-eun in 2023. On 17 August 2023, he released his debut Japanese mini album ‘Polaris’. His solo tour began on 19 August 2023.
Achievements
As a popular artist and a member of the rising international surge boy group Exo, he enjoys more domestic popularity and fame than his international profile. His Chinese fan club has over 1.4 million followers on Sina Weibo. He has debuted top chart singles and collaborations winning several prominent awards. Here are some of his notable achievements:
- In 2014, he won the 16th Seoul International Youth Film Festival for Best OST by a Male Artist for his nominated work Best Luck.
- For the 19th Mnet Asian Music Awards (2017) he won the Best Collaboration with Dynamic Duo for his nominated work Nosedive and the Melon Music Awards.
- For the Annual Fresh Asia Music Awards (2019) Chen won the Top 10 Asia-Pacific Gold Song of the Year.
- In 2019 he won the 2020 Korea First Brand Awards for the Male Vocalist.
- In 2022, he won the Top 20 Songs of the Year (2022) Asian Pop Muisc Awards for his work Last Scene.
Military Life
Chen was enlisted for his mandatory military service on 26 October 2020. He served as an active duty solider and served a period of 18 months. He was discharged on 25 April 2022.
Personal Life
On 13 January 2020, Chen officially announced his decision to marry his non-celebrity girlfriend in a private ceremony attended by family members and close relatives. He also revealed the big news that his bride-to-be was pregnant.
He was blessed with a daughter on 29 April 2020 and on 19 January 2022, his wife gave birth to their second child. He is all set to celebrate his long-awaited official wedding ceremony after quietly registering his marriage three years ago. The couple has been eagerly waiting for their special day, keeping it a private affair with only close friends and EXO members in attendance.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Chen’s net worth is around $5-7 million US dollars.
As a most successful K-pop idol, his fame has crossed South Korea and has won international fan bases across the globe. His major source of income comes from his band’s success and popularity. As a powerful vocalist, He has also showcased his talents in solo artistry and won great fame with his musical single ‘Hello’.
Awards
- 16th Seoul International Youth Film Festival (2014)
Best OST by a Male Artist (2014) - 19th Mnet Asian Music Awards (2017)
Best Collaboration with Dynamic Duo (2017) - Annual Fresh Asia Music Awards (2019)
Top 10 Asia-Pacific Gold Song of the Year (2019) - Korea First Brand Awards (2020)
The Male Vocalist (2020) - Asian Pop Muisc Awards (2022)
Top 20 Songs of the Year (2022)
Interesting Facts about Chen
- He has a habit of sticking his tongue out whenever he laughs.
- The thing he is best at is singing high notes.
- He has a humorous and very playful personality.
- Chen was the last member to join EXO-M.
- His hobbies are singing and playing the piano.
- Chen’s favourite colour is pink.
- Chen’s very close with XIUMIN.
- He likes listening to Justin Timberlake and Maroon 5.
- In November 2021, SM announced that Chen had his second baby.
- He made his solo debut with ‘Beautiful Goodbye’.
FAQs
- Who in EXO is married?
EXO’s Chen shared the news of his marriage on January 13 2020. - How old is Chen?
As of 2023, he is 31 years old. - When is Chen’s birthday?
21 September - What is Chen’s Instagram ID?
