🎤 KAI (카이) – Profile, Facts & Discography

🧠 About

KAI (카이), born Kim Jong-in (김종인), is a South Korean singer, dancer, performer, and actor under SM Entertainment. He is best known as a member of EXO and its Korean unit EXO-K, as well as a member of the SM Entertainment supergroup SuperM.

KAI debuted with EXO in 2012 and became particularly recognized for his dance ability, expressive performance style, and commanding stage presence. His background in dance and his ability to combine choreography with facial expression and storytelling became central parts of his identity as a performer.

He officially launched his solo career on November 30, 2020 with his self-titled mini album KAI, led by Mmmh. He followed it with Peaches in 2021 and Rover in 2023, developing a solo sound built around R&B, sleek pop production, and performance-centered music.

Following the completion of his mandatory service, KAI returned to solo music with his fourth mini album Wait On Me on April 21, 2025. The seven-track project expanded his sound with styles including Afrobeat-influenced pop and Latin trap while maintaining his strong focus on dance and performance.

KAI also returned to EXO activities and participated in the group's 2026 studio album REVERXE, continuing his career as both a solo performer and EXO member.

Stage Name: KAI (카이)
Real Name: Kim Jong-in (김종인)
Solo Debut: November 30, 2020
Group: EXO
Other Group: SuperM
Agency: SM Entertainment
Nationality: Korean
Birthday: January 14, 1994
Height: Not officially disclosed
Blood Type: A
MBTI: Not officially disclosed
EXO Fandom: EXO-L
Signature Solo Songs: Mmmh, Peaches, Rover, Wait On Me

🧬 Artist Identity

Primary Role: Singer, Dancer, Performer, Actor

Music Style: R&B, dance-pop, electropop, hip-hop, Afrobeat-influenced pop

Known For: Expressive dancing, stage presence, visual storytelling, contemporary choreography, and sleek R&B-pop

Image Keywords: sensual, artistic, elegant, charismatic, performance-driven

🌟 KAI Profile

KAI (카이)

Real Name: Kim Jong-in (김종인)

Position: Soloist, EXO Member, Main Dancer

Nationality: Korean

MBTI: Not officially disclosed

Birthday: January 14, 1994

Height: Not officially disclosed

Blood Type: A

KAI was born in Suncheon, South Korea.
His birth name is Kim Jong-in.
He began dancing when he was young and trained in several dance styles before becoming an idol.
His early dance background included ballet and jazz dance.
He joined SM Entertainment after participating in the company's Youth Best Contest.
He trained for several years before EXO's official debut.
KAI was one of the earliest EXO members formally introduced to the public before the group's debut.
He officially debuted with EXO in 2012.
Within EXO, he became especially recognized for his role as one of the group's principal dancers.
His dance style combines precision with expressive movement and character-driven performance.
He has frequently performed solo dance sections during EXO concerts and award-show stages.
He joined SuperM when the SM Entertainment supergroup debuted in 2019.
He made his official solo debut in November 2020 with the mini album KAI.
His solo debut title track Mmmh established the R&B-focused sound associated with his early solo career.
His second mini album Peaches was released in 2021.
His third mini album Rover arrived in 2023 and became one of his signature solo eras.
He completed his alternative military service in February 2025.
His fourth mini album Wait On Me was released on April 21, 2025.
Wait On Me contains seven songs and explores several rhythmic dance-oriented styles.
He launched his first solo concert tour, KAION, following his return in 2025.
His solo music is closely connected to choreography, with dance functioning as a major part of each release's storytelling.
Outside music, KAI has also worked as an actor and appeared in television dramas and entertainment programs.
He has worked extensively in fashion and has served as a global ambassador for luxury brands.
He participated in EXO's 2026 studio album REVERXE, marking another major group release following his return from service.

🎙️ Career Highlights

2012 – EXO Debut: KAI officially debuted as a member of EXO and quickly became closely associated with the group's performance and dance identity.

2019 – SuperM: Joined SM Entertainment's seven-member supergroup SuperM alongside artists from SHINee, EXO, NCT 127, and WayV.

2020 – Solo Debut: Released his self-titled debut mini album KAI, featuring the title track Mmmh.

2021 – Peaches: Released his second mini album, developing a softer and more atmospheric side of his solo identity.

2023 – Rover: Released his third mini album. The title track became one of his most recognizable solo songs and inspired a widely shared dance challenge.

2025 – Wait On Me: Returned from mandatory service and released his seven-track fourth mini album.

2025 – KAION: Launched his first solo concert tour, bringing his performance-focused solo catalog to audiences beyond Korea.

2026 – EXO REVERXE: Participated in EXO's eighth studio album, continuing his group activities alongside his established solo career.

💿 Discography Highlights

Solo Mini Albums

KAI (2020)
Peaches (2021)
Rover (2023)
Wait On Me (2025)

Signature Solo Songs

Mmmh
Nothing On Me
Reason
Peaches
Domino
Rover
Slidin'
Wait On Me
Adult Swim
Pressure
Off and Away

Recommended Starting Tracks: Mmmh, Peaches, Rover, Wait On Me, Reason, Nothing On Me

🎥 Iconic Music Video

Rover became one of KAI's defining solo releases. Its minimalist hook, confident choreography, and memorable "Mr. Rover" concept helped the song spread well beyond its original promotions and reinforced KAI's reputation as one of K-pop's performance-focused soloists.

🏆 Awards & Achievements

🏆 Debuted as a member of EXO in 2012
🏆 Became one of EXO's best-known performance and dance-focused members
🏆 Debuted with the SM Entertainment supergroup SuperM in 2019
🏆 Launched his solo career with KAI in 2020
🏆 Built a four-mini-album solo catalog through Wait On Me
🏆 Rover became one of his most recognizable solo songs and dance performances
🏆 Established an individual musical identity centered on R&B and performance-oriented pop
🏆 Returned to solo activities after completing mandatory service in 2025
🏆 Launched his first solo concert tour, KAION, in 2025
🏆 Continued EXO activities with the group's eighth studio album REVERXE in 2026
🏆 Built a parallel career spanning music, dance, acting, fashion, and variety entertainment

🌍 Official Links

💬 Fan Notes

💖 KAI's identity as a solo artist is closely connected to performance. Rather than treating choreography simply as accompaniment to his music, his solo projects frequently use movement, styling, cinematography, and music together to create a complete performance concept.

His first three mini albums also demonstrate different sides of that identity. Mmmh introduced a sleek R&B direction, Peaches explored a softer and dreamier aesthetic, and Rover emphasized confidence, rhythm, and an instantly recognizable performance concept.

The 2025 Wait On Me era began KAI's post-service chapter. Its seven tracks broadened his rhythmic palette while the accompanying KAION tour gave him the opportunity to present his solo discography through full-length concerts for the first time.