Biography of Kai
Early Life and Education
Career
With constant encouragement from his father, in 2017, Kai participated and won SM Entertainment’s Youth Best Contest. At the age of thirteen, he signed up with the company and began his hip-hop dance training. SM Entertainment officially announced on 23 December 2011 that he was the first member of the company’s upcoming boy group Exo. On 29 December 2011, at the SBS Gayo Daejeon, he along with fellow Exo members made their first televised performance. The group’s official debut was in April 2012 and gained popular acclaim and commercial success.
In October 2012, Kai along with his bandmates participated in the promotional group Younique Unit. As a part of the collaboration between SM Entertainment and Hyundai, the group released their single ‘Maxstep’. Later in the same year, he joined the dance group ‘SM The Performance’. The group’s first appearance was at the event SBS Gayo Daejeon, performing their single ‘Spectrum’. In 2014, he was featured in the song ‘Pretty Boy’ from Taemin’s debut album.
Kim Jong-in starred in the web drama ‘Choco Bank’ as the main lead in 2016, which was a blockbuster hit with record-breaking viewership. In 2016, he starred in two episodes of the special web drama ‘7 First Kisses’. He starred as the main lead in the KBS teen drama ‘Andate’ in 2017. The same year he was cast in the Japanese drama ‘Spring Has Come’. For the magazine ‘The Big Issue’, he was chosen as the cover model in December 2017.
Since the magazine’s start in 2010, the magazine had hit record sales of 80,000 copies sold after Kai being the cover model. He was cast in the KBS fantasy melodrama ‘The Miracle We Met’ which was released on 29 March 2018. He was featured as Ato, the godly figure in the drama. For SM Entertainment’s collaboration with Capitol Records, he was confirmed to be a member of the K-pop supergroup SuperM. He was the first Global Ambassador for Gucci Eyewear Men. On 4 October 2019, the SuperM marked their official debut with their self-titled EP.
Fashion Industry
With the Chinese actress Nini, Kai became the ambassador for the Italian high-end luxury fashion house ‘Gucci’ in 2020. The following year, he became the first male Muse for ‘Bobbi Brown’ Cosmetics. In 2022, he was the face of the brand and global ambassador for Seoul Fashion Week Spring 2022. In 2022, he was selected as the model for ‘Charmzone Mask’ and for ‘The Black Yak BCC collection’. He became the muse for ‘Yves Saint Laurent Beauty’.
Achievements
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Kim Jong-in won the 2021 ‘Asian Pop Music Awards’ for ‘Best Male Artist’ (overseas) and ‘People’s Choice Award’ (overseas) for his album ‘Kai’.
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At the 2022 ‘Blue Dragon Series Awards’, Kai won the ‘Best New Male Entertainer’ for his work ‘New World’.
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In 2018, Kim Jong-in won the Favourite Korean Drama Character at the Star Hub Nights of Stars.
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Kai was the first ever male muse of the cosmetic brand ‘Bobbi Brown’.
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Kim Jong-in was the first Global Ambassador for ‘Gucci’ Eyewear Men.
Military Life
Personal Life
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Kim Jong-in’s net worth is estimated to be around $ 13 million US dollars. He is one of the industry’s top-performing idols. His profits are mainly from Exo’s activities and promotions. With Exo’s universal popularity, the group earns a significant amount from merchandise, endorsements, broadcast appearances, music releases etc. He is also the brand ambassador of several popular brands. As a successful member of Exo, SuperM and as a solo artist, he earned the net worth he has today.
Awards
- Blue Dragon Series Awards (2022)
- The Best New Male Entertainer – New World (2022)
- People’s Choice Award (overseas)- Kim Jong-in (2021)
- Asian Pop Music Awards (2021)
- Best Male Artist (overseas) – Kim Jong-in (2021)
- Star Hub Nights of Stars (2018)
- Favourite Korean Drama Character – Andate (2018)
Interesting Facts about Kai
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Kai’s dance specialities include Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Popping and Locking.
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Kim Jong-in has a habit of often biting his lips.
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Kai’s favourite movies are ‘Billy Elliot’ and ‘Pirates of The Caribbean’.
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Kim Jong-in’s favourite foods are fried chicken and roasted duck.
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Kai’s favourite colours are Black, Red, and Sky Blue.
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Kim Jong-in’s role model is Micheal Jackson.
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Kim Jong-in likes quiet music.
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Kai is a workaholic.
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Kim Jong-in dislikes raw oysters.
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Kai had a solo stage at the Olympics closing ceremony.
FAQs
- Who did Kai from EXO date?
Kai dated Jennie from BLACKPINK. - What is Kai’s real name?
His real name is Kim Jong-in. - When did Kim Jong-in leave for his military enlistment?
Kim Jong-in left for his military enlistment on 11 May 2023. - When is Kai’s birthday?
Kai’s birthday is on 14 January. - How old is Kai?
As of 2023, Kai is 29 years old. - What is Kai’s Instagram ID?
His Instagram ID is @KAI
