Curious about the activities of EXO member Chen? Keep on reading for all the details!
Who is EXO Chen? + Reasons for Inactivity
Chen, whose real name is Kim Jongdae, debuted in EXO in 2012. He was initially part of EXO-M, the Chinese sub-unit of the group, but promoted with all members following the merge of EXO-K and EXO-M.
He debuted in the ballad group SM the Ballad in 2014 and debuted in EXO-CBX in October 2016. He made his solo debut in April 2019 with "April, and a Flower."
While he was once one of the most beloved members of EXO, he saw sudden backlash in January 2020 when he announced his upcoming marriage to his non-celebrity girlfriend. It was also announced that his fiancée was pregnant.
Many saw the sudden news as a betrayal against the fans, with several Korean EXO-Ls turning their back on the idol. However, despite the backlash, the two wed in a private ceremony and welcomed their first daughter in April 2020. They had their second child in January 2022.
Soon after, Chen's activities diminished, most likely due to the backlash. In October 2020, Chen released the song "Hello" as a gift to fans before he enlisted in the military. He was discharged on April 25, 2022.
EXO Chen's Recent Activities
Chen was absent from EXO's most recent comeback, "Don't Fight the Feeling." The song and album (both have the same name) were released in June 2021. At the time, Chen was still partaking in his mandatory military enlistment as an active duty soldier.
ALSO READ: K-Media Updates on EXO Chen's Future Activities After Controversies, Discharge
Despite being discharged, the idol has remained mainly out of the spotlight. He did not join the other EXO members for their tenth-anniversary fan meeting held in April 2022.
However, it appears the idol will be returning to his main job soon! On April 26, SM Entertainment announced the line-up for their two-night concert in Japan, "SMTOWN LIVE 2022 : SMCU EXPRESS."
ALSO READ: EXO Chen's Confirmed Appearance at SMTOWN Live Tokyo Draws Mixed Reactions
Three EXO members will participate in the concert: Suho, Kai, and Chen. This marks Chen's first public appearance since his military discharge.
The concert will be held on May 27 and May 28.
On May 11, Chen released a studio cover of his 2019 release, "Hold You Tight." The cover included a short, sweet message for EXO-Ls that reads, "I hope you have a warm and cozy spring."
ALSO READ: EXO Chen Update: Aeris Rejoice After Jongdae Did THIS
As of writing, there is no confirmation of a solo debut or potential new solo projects.
Do you miss Chen? Are you an Aeri? Tell us in the comments below!
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Written by Alexa Lewis
