Chen

Overview

Chen, born Kim Jong-dae on September 21, 1992, in Daejeon, South Korea, is a celebrated vocalist known for his work with the K-pop group EXO, where he serves as the main vocalist. He debuted with EXO in 2012 under SM Entertainment and later transitioned solo activities to INB100.

Chen is renowned for his soulful voice, particularly in ballads, and has significantly impacted the OST scene in K-dramas.

Discography

• EPs
  • April, and a Flower (2019)
  • Dear My Dear (2019)
  • Last Scene (2022)
  • Polaris (2023) (Japanese)
  • Door (2024)
• Singles
  • "Hello" (2020)
  • "Before the Petals Fall" (2023)
  • "Beyond:" (2024)
• Features
  • Ailee - "Love" (2019)
• Collaborations
  • "Years" (with Alesso) (2016)
  • "Lil' Something" (with VIBE and Heize) (2016)
  • "Bye Babe" (with 10cm) (2017)
  • "Mixxxture Project Vol.1" (with Dynamic Duo) (2017)
  • "You" (with Dynamic Duo) (2020)
  • "Bloom" (with Yang Hee Eun) (2023)
• Official Soundtracks
  • "Best Luck" for the Korean drama It's Okay, That's Love (2014)
  • "Everytime" with Punch for the romance series Descendants of the Sun (2016)
  • "Beautiful Accident" with Suho for Beautiful Accident (2016)
  • "For You" with Baekhyun & Xiumin for the hit Korean series Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
  • "I'm Not Okay" for the mystery-thriller drama Missing 9 (2017)
  • "Cherry Blossom Love Song" for the drama 100 Days My Prince (2018)
  • "Make It Count" for the Korean drama Touch Your Heart (2019)
  • "Beautiful" for Heart 4 U (2019)
  • "Your Moonlight" for Do You Like Brahms? (2020)
  • "An Unfamiliar Day" for Doctor Lawyer (2022)
  • "Heaven For You" for the series Police Station Next To Fire Station (2022)
  • "The Way to Love Myself" for the drama Doctor Slump (2024)
  • "Don't Remember" for the drama Romance in the House (2024)

Career Highlights

• 2012: Debuted with EXO, quickly becoming recognized for his vocal talent.
• 2014: Participated in SM The Ballad, enhancing his reputation as a ballad singer.
• 2016: Formed EXO-CBX, expanding his musical influence with a sub-unit.
• 2019: Solo debut, establishing himself as a formidable solo artist in K-pop.
• 2024: Released Door, and embarked on his solo fan-con tour Beyond the Door."

Recent Activities

Chen concluded his Beyond the Door fan concerts in Manila in November 2024. He's been sharing updates on X about his activities, including behind-the-scenes from his 2025 Season's Greetings.

Currently, Chen is lending his expertise as a mentor on the reality competition program Be the Next: 9 Dreamers.

Solo Activities

Outside of his music career, Chen has sung numerous OSTs for popular K-dramas, with "Everytime" for Descendants of the Sun being one of his most notable contributions. He's known for his live performances on shows like King of Mask Singer." His participation in endorsements is generally music-related, reflecting his focus on his vocal career.

Achievements

Chen has received various awards for his solo work, including Best Vocal Performance at music shows. His EPs have seen significant success, with April, and a Flower being a standout. He's also been recognized for his contributions to OSTs, winning awards in that category.

Album Sales

• April, and a Flower sold over 200,000 album copies, marking his strong debut as a solo singer.
• Dear my Dear also record approximately 200,000 copies sold, further solidifying his impact as a soloist.
• Last Scene garnered positive reception from fans, with approximately 90,000 copies sold. Notably, Chen has stated the album's creative process was influenced by his personal experiences.
• Polaris, Chen's first Japanese album, has currently sold over 11,000 copies in Japan, with continued sales indicating ongoing popularity.
• Door continues to demonstrate Chen's strength as a soloist, with current sales exceeding 80,000 copies.

Personal Life

Chen enjoys singing and playing the piano, often sharing these moments with fans. He announced his marriage and the birth of his two children in 2020, marking personal milestones. He's involved in charity, particularly for children's education and welfare.

Social Media Profiles

• X (Twitter)
  • KR
  • JP
• TikTok
• YouTube

Original Sources

• EXO Japan website
• Korean Sales