ArtistINB100
Chen
Kim Jong-dae (김종대; born September 21, 1992), known professionally as Chen (첸), is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He is a member of EXO, its sub-group EXO-M, and sub-unit EXO-CBX, and participated in SM Entertainment's project group SM the Ballad. He is widely considered one of K-pop's most technically accomplished vocalists.
Born in Daejeon and raised in the Jeongwang-dong neighborhood of Siheung, Chen joined SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2011. He was introduced as EXO's fourth member on December 29, 2011, and made his debut with the group on April 8, 2012. His reputation as a vocalist grew through competition appearances, including a runner-up finish on King of Mask Singer Season 11 under the alias 'Legendary Guitar Man', and through acclaimed OST contributions: 'The Best Luck' for It's Okay, That's Love (2014) won Best OST at the 5th So-Loved Awards, and 'Everytime' for Descendants of the Sun (2016) became one of the decade's most-streamed drama soundtracks.
Chen launched his solo career on April 1, 2019, with the EP April, and a Flower, which peaked at number two on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart and featured the single 'Beautiful Goodbye'. His second EP Dear My Dear followed later that year. In January 2024, Chen joined INB100, the label founded by fellow CBX member Baekhyun, for solo management while EXO activities remain under SM Entertainment. His fourth Korean EP Door was released in May 2024 with lead single 'Empty', followed by his first fan-concert series 'Beyond the Door' in Seoul in September 2024. Chen is married and has two children.
1 articles5 creditsDebut: April 8, 2012South Korean
Gallery
Discography
2024
DoorEP
Solo ArtistINB100
2019
April, and a FlowerEP
Solo ArtistSM Entertainment
2019
Dear My DearEP
Solo ArtistSM Entertainment
2016
EverytimeOST
Solo Vocalist
2014
The Best LuckOST
Solo Vocalist
Fans Also Ask
When did Chen debut?
Chen debuted as a member of EXO on April 8, 2012. He was formally introduced as EXO's fourth member on December 29, 2011. His solo career launched on April 1, 2019, with the EP April, and a Flower, which peaked at number two on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart.
What is Chen's real name?
Chen's real name is Kim Jong-dae (김종대). He was born on September 21, 1992, in Daejeon, South Korea, and grew up in Siheung. He joined SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2011. Chen is his Korean stage name (첸), derived from the Chinese reading of his name.
What agency is Chen under?
Since January 2024, Chen's solo activities are managed by INB100, the independent label founded by Baekhyun in June 2022. His activities as a member of EXO and EXO-CBX remain under SM Entertainment. His INB100 page is at inb100.com/42.
What solo albums has Chen released?
Chen has released four solo Korean EPs: April, and a Flower (2019), Dear My Dear (2019), and Door (May 2024) with lead single 'Empty'. He is also known for OST recordings including 'The Best Luck' (It's Okay, That's Love, 2014) and 'Everytime' (Descendants of the Sun, 2016), both chart-toppers.
Is Chen married?
Yes. Chen announced his marriage in January 2020, becoming the first active EXO member to publicly wed. He and his wife have two children: a daughter born April 29, 2020, and a second child born January 19, 2022. The announcement drew widespread attention given K-pop's cultural norms around public relationships.
