# Kai

> South Korean singer, dancer, actor and model

**Wikidata**: [Q10775090](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10775090)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_(entertainer,_born_1994))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kai

## Summary
Kai is a South Korean singer, dancer, actor and model who debuted in 2012 as a member of the K-pop boy band EXO and its sub-unit EXO-K. He is also a member of the supergroup SuperM and has been active across music, television and modeling under SM Entertainment.

## Biography
- Born: 14 January 1994
- Nationality: South Korea
- Education: School of Performing Arts Seoul
- Known for: Lead dancer and vocalist of EXO, member of SuperM
- Employer(s): SM Entertainment, Avex Trax
- Field(s): K-pop, contemporary R&B, electronic music

## Contributions
Kai debuted as a core member of EXO in 2012, performing on every group release and world tour. He joined the Japanese-South Korean supergroup SuperM in 2019, expanding K-pop's U.S. market presence. He has released solo music within SM Entertainment's digital projects and appeared on television dramas, films, and variety shows. As a model he has fronted luxury fashion campaigns and magazine covers across Asia.

## FAQs
**Which groups is Kai part of?**  
He is a member of EXO, its Korean sub-unit EXO-K, and the supergroup SuperM. All three acts are managed by SM Entertainment.

**What genres does Kai perform?**  
His discography spans K-pop, contemporary R&B and electronic music, reflecting SM Entertainment's production style since the 1990s.

**Where did Kai train?**  
He attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul, a specialist high school in Guro District that trains K-pop hopefuls.

**What companies has Kai recorded under?**  
He is signed to SM Entertainment in South Korea and Avex Trax in Japan, releasing music through both labels since 2012.

## Why They Matter
Kai's precise dance technique and stage presence helped define EXO's performance identity, setting new standards for synchronized choreography in K-pop. His membership in SuperM created a bridge between Korean and American pop markets, proving that K-pop idols could headline U.S. arenas. Without his visual and performance contributions, EXO's global appeal and SM Entertainment's later U.S. ventures would have lacked the same impact.

## Notable For
- Debuted in EXO at age 18, becoming the group's main dancer and face
- One of the first K-pop idols to promote simultaneously in EXO-K and SuperM
- Represented South Korean pop culture in SM Town touring projects since 2012
- Height 1.82 m, frequently cited as an ideal model physique in Korean media

## Body

### Early Life and Training
Kim Jong-in was born on 14 January 1994 in South Korea. He enrolled at the School of Performing Arts Seoul, founded in 1966, where he trained in dance and vocals alongside future idols. The institution's location in Guro District placed him inside Seoul's entertainment corridor, allowing weekly auditions and practice sessions with SM Entertainment scouts.

### 2012 Debut with EXO and EXO-K
Kai was introduced as the first member of EXO in December 2011 teaser trailers. When EXO officially debuted on 8 April 2012, he simultaneously promoted in EXO-K, the Korean-language sub-unit. Both groups released the mini-album "MAMA," selling over 500,000 copies in South Korea and charting on Billboard World Albums. Kai's opening dance break in the title track became a signature moment, cited by Korean media for reviving interest in performance-focused idols.

### SuperM Formation and U.S. Expansion
In October 2019 SM Entertainment and Capitol Records launched SuperM, a seven-member "K-pop Avengers" unit targeting the American market. Kai was selected as the representative dancer from EXO, joining peers from SHINee, NCT and WayV. Their debut EP entered the Billboard 200 at number one, making SuperM the first Asian act to top the chart with a debut release. Kai performed on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," appeared at New York's Madison Square Garden, and headlined the SuperM Live concert series across North America.

### Solo Activities and Modeling
Beyond group schedules, Kai has released solo tracks on SM Station digital singles, showcasing R&B vocals over electronic production. He has walked for Seoul Fashion Week, fronted campaigns for luxury brands, and graced the covers of Harper's Bazaar, Elle and W Korea. His 1.82 m frame and sharp features made him a favorite of Korean and Japanese designers, expanding K-pop's influence into fashion circuits.

### Television and Acting
Kai crossed into acting with roles in Korean dramas and Japanese television specials broadcast by Avex Trax. His appearances brought idol-dance precision to action sequences, earning him praise for natural screen presence. Variety programs frequently cast him for dance challenges, reinforcing his reputation as one of SM Entertainment's most versatile performers.

### Ongoing Legacy
Still active under SM Entertainment and Avex Trax, Kai continues to tour with EXO and SuperM, release solo music, and model internationally. His career trajectory from 2012 to the present charts the evolution of K-pop's global reach, demonstrating how a single idol can anchor multiple chart-topping acts while influencing fashion and performance standards worldwide.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zel_omwOl0)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. MusicBrainz
4. [Source](http://www.soompi.com/2016/03/31/update-exos-kai-and-fxs-krystal-confirm-they-are-dating/)
5. [Source](http://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2019010110050189000)
6. Carnegie Hall linked open data
7. YouTube API