EXO Members Bio, Age, Height, Weight, & More Wiki Facts
EXO is a legendary K-pop boy group formed by SM Entertainment. They debuted on April 8, 2012. The group currently operates with 9 registered members. However, only 5 members remain active under SM for group releases.
The core active lineup includes Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, and Sehun. Lay participates in albums while based in China. Xiumin, Baekhyun, and Chen are in a legal dispute with SM. They did not join the 2026 album REVERXE.
Their estimated group wealth is around $1 billion. Chanyeol is the tallest at 185 cm. The fandom is called EXO-L. They are known as the “Kings of K-pop” .
EXO Wiki/Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Group Name | EXO (엑소) |
| Debut Date | April 8, 2012 |
| Agency / Label | SM Entertainment |
| Registered Members | 9 (Xiumin, Suho, Lay, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun) |
| Active Core (2026) | Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun |
| Leader | Suho |
| Fandom Name | EXO-L (EXO-Love) |
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | K-pop, R&B, dance-pop, hip-hop |
| Debut Song | “MAMA” |
| Notable Songs | “Growl,” “Love Shot,” “Monster,” “Ko Ko Bop,” “Call Me Baby” |
| Estimated Group Wealth | ~$1 billion |
| Social Media | Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok |
EXO Group Name Meaning and Real Name
EXO is the group’s official name. The name comes from the term “exoplanet.” An exoplanet is a planet outside our solar system. This reflects the group’s global ambition from the start.
The group originally debuted as two subunits. EXO-K performed in Korean. EXO-M performed in Mandarin. They aimed to conquer both markets simultaneously.
The 9 current members come from South Korea and China. Lay is the only remaining Chinese member. The others are Korean nationals.
The fandom name is EXO-L. It stands for “EXO-Love.” The letter “L” sits between “K” and “M” in the alphabet. This symbolizes fans uniting the two original subunits.
Also Check:- IVE Members Bio, Age, Height, Weight, & More Wiki Facts
EXO Early Life and Education
EXO members come from diverse academic backgrounds. Suho was an excellent student. He ranked in the top 50 of his entire school.
Chanyeol attended Hyundai High School in Apgujeong-dong. D.O. went to Baekseok High School. He sang in a band called Heavenly Voice during his school years.
Kai studied at the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA). He trained in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop from a young age. Sehun also attended SOPA.
Xiumin studied at Catholic Kwandong University. Baekhyun attended Kyung Hee Cyber University. Chen studied at Hanyang Cyber University.
EXO Parents and Siblings
Suho comes from an academic family. His father is a university professor. His mother was a teacher. He has an older brother who is 4 years older.
Chanyeol‘s parents own an Italian restaurant in Seoul. Its name is “Viva Polo.” He has an older sister named Park Yoo-ra. She is a former TV announcer.
D.O.‘s father is a painter. His mother is a hairdresser. He has an older brother who is 3 years older.
Kai is the youngest of 3 siblings. He has 2 older sisters. His late father encouraged his dance career.
Sehun has an older brother who is 3 years older. Xiumin and Lay keep their family details private. Baekhyun and Chen also share limited family information.
EXO Before Fame
Suho joined SM Entertainment in 2006. He was 16 years old. He trained for 6 years before debut.
Kai joined SM in 2007. He was only 13 years old. His father sent his dance tapes to the company.
Chanyeol joined in 2008. He trained for 4 years. He was enrolled in a private acting school at age 16.
Sehun joined in 2008 at age 14. He was a known ulzzang (good-looking) student. D.O. joined in 2010 and trained for only 2 years.
EXO Career
EXO debuted on April 8, 2012. Their first single was “MAMA.” The debut album sold over 100,000 copies. It was a strong start for the new group.
Their breakthrough came with “Growl” in 2013. The album XOXO sold over 1 million copies. This was the first million-seller in K-pop in 12 years.
They won Album of the Year at MAMA for 5 consecutive years. This streak ran from 2013 to 2017. They became known as the “Kings of K-pop.”
The group faced a long hiatus due to mandatory military service. Enlistments began in 2019. They returned with the album Exist in 2023.
Their 8th album REVERXE arrived in January 2026. It featured 6 members. The lead single was “Crown.” The album had 9 tracks total.
| Year | Career Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Debut with “MAMA” |
| 2013 | “Growl” and XOXO become million-sellers |
| 2013–2017 | 5 consecutive MAMA Album of the Year wins |
| 2019 | Military service hiatus begins |
| 2023 | Return with album Exist |
| 2026 | Release of REVERXE with 6 members |
EXO Military Service and Group Hiatus
EXO faced a 7-year military service period. Xiumin enlisted first in May 2019. He completed his service in December 2020.
D.O. enlisted in July 2019. Suho followed in May 2020. Chen served from October 2020 to April 2022. Chanyeol served from March 2021 to September 2022.
Baekhyun enlisted in May 2021. He was discharged in February 2023. Kai served from May 2023 to February 2025.
Sehun was the last to enlist. He served from December 2023 to September 2025. His discharge marked the end of the military era.
The group used this period for solo activities. Members released solo albums and pursued acting careers. This kept the EXO brand alive during the hiatus.
EXO Xiumin, Baekhyun, and Chen Contract Dispute
The CBX subunit faces a major legal conflict. Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin are in a dispute with SM Entertainment. The conflict centers on contract terms and payments.
They established their own label, INB100, in 2023. SM later seized 2.6 billion won in their assets. The seizure was a provisional measure pending the lawsuit.
A court suspended their INB100 contracts in September 2026. The ruling cited “broken trust” and unpaid settlements. The trio sought to terminate their deals.
As a result, CBX did not participate in the REVERXE album. Their future with EXO remains uncertain. The legal battle continues into 2026.
EXO Members Profile
| Member | Birth Date | Age (2026) | Height | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiumin | March 26, 1990 | 36 | 173 cm | Lead Vocalist |
| Suho | May 22, 1991 | 35 | 173 cm | Leader, Lead Vocalist |
| Lay | October 7, 1991 | 34 | 177 cm | Main Dancer |
| Baekhyun | May 6, 1992 | 34 | 174 cm | Main Vocalist |
| Chen | September 21, 1992 | 33 | 173 cm | Main Vocalist |
| Chanyeol | November 27, 1992 | 33 | 185 cm | Main Rapper |
| D.O. | January 12, 1993 | 33 | 174 cm | Main Vocalist |
| Kai | January 14, 1994 | 32 | 182 cm | Main Dancer |
| Sehun | April 12, 1994 | 32 | 183 cm | Lead Dancer, Maknae |
EXO Popular Songs
- “Growl” — Their breakout 2013 hit.
- “Love Shot” — Their most-streamed song on Spotify.
- “Monster” — A powerful 2016 fan favorite.
- “Ko Ko Bop” — A 2017 summer smash.
- “Call Me Baby” — A 2015 signature track.
- “MAMA” — Their 2012 debut song.
- “Wolf” — Famous for its “Tree of Life” choreography.
- “Overdose” — A 2014 EP title track.
- “Tempo” — A 2018 vocal showcase.
- “Crown” — The 2026 comeback single.
EXO Hobbies
- Playing guitar (Chanyeol)
- Photography (Sehun, Chanyeol)
- Cooking (D.O., Xiumin)
- Playing video games (Kai, Sehun)
- Reading (Suho, D.O.)
- Cycling and golf (Suho)
- Fencing and taekwondo (Xiumin)
- Playing piano (Baekhyun, Chen)
- Watching movies (D.O.)
- Traveling for tours
EXO Favorite Things
- Favorite Color: Red (Suho), Black (Sehun)
- Favorite Food: Pizza and ramen
- Favorite Hobby: Gaming (Kai, Sehun)
- Favorite Sport: Soccer and fencing (Xiumin)
- Favorite Music: R&B and hip-hop
- Favorite Place: Home with family
- Favorite Movie: Not publicly confirmed
- Favorite Animal: Dog (Chanyeol’s pet ferret)
- Favorite Season: Spring
- Favorite Song: Their own songs
EXO Lesser-Known Facts
| Fact No. | Lesser-Known Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | The name EXO comes from “exoplanet.” |
| 2 | EXO-L means “EXO-Love.” |
| 3 | Xiumin is the oldest but looks like the youngest. |
| 4 | Chanyeol designed EXO’s hexagon logo. |
| 5 | Suho’s father is a university professor. |
| 6 | D.O. sang in a high school band called Heavenly Voice. |
| 7 | Kai’s father sent his dance tapes to SM. |
| 8 | Sehun was a known ulzzang before debut. |
| 9 | XOXO was K-pop’s first million-seller in 12 years. |
| 10 | EXO won 5 consecutive MAMA Album of the Year awards. |
| 11 | CBX formed their own label, INB100, in 2023. |
| 12 | SM seized 2.6 billion won in CBX assets. |
| 13 | REVERXE featured only 6 members. |
| 14 | Sehun was the last member to finish military service. |
| 15 | Lay runs his own company in China. |
| 16 | Chanyeol’s parents own an Italian restaurant. |
| 17 | Chen announced his marriage in 2020. |
| 18 | Kai trained in ballet before K-pop. |
EXO FAQs
How many members are in EXO in 2026?
9 members are registered with SM. Only 5 are active for group releases. CBX is in a legal dispute.
What is EXO’s most famous song?
“Growl” is their most iconic hit. “Love Shot” is their most-streamed track.
Why are Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin not in REVERXE?
They are in a contract dispute with SM. Their INB100 contracts were suspended.
Who is the tallest EXO member?
Chanyeol is the tallest at 185 cm. Sehun is second at 183 cm.
What does EXO-L mean?
EXO-L stands for “EXO-Love.” The “L” sits between “K” and “M” to unite the two original subunits.
Is EXO still together?
Yes, EXO remains a group. The active core continues as 5 members. Lay joins for albums.
Conclusion
EXO is a legendary K-pop group formed by SM Entertainment. They debuted on April 8, 2012. They are known as the “Kings of K-pop.”
They sold over 10 million albums. They won 5 consecutive MAMA Album of the Year awards. Their military hiatus lasted 7 years. They returned with REVERXE in 2026.
Chanyeol is the tallest at 185 cm. Their estimated wealth is $1 billion. They earn from albums and tours. Their legacy as K-pop pioneers remains secure.