Exo-M
Kris is the leader of Exo-M. Also known by his Chinese name Wu Fan (simplified Chinese: 吴凡; traditional Chinese: 吳凡;pinyin: Wú Fán; Cantonese Yale: Ng4 Faan4), Kris was born Li Jiaheng (Chinese: 李嘉恒; pinyin: Lǐ Jiāhéng; Cantonese Yale: Lei5 Ga1-hang4) on November 6, 1990 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, and holds Canadian citizenship. In 2007, Kris was cast into S.M. Entertainment through the S.M. Global Audition held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Kris was formally introduced as a member on February 17, 2012. Prior to joining the band, Kris made an appearance in an intermission video from the Taipei, Taiwan stop of the Girls' Generation Tour in 2011. Kris is fluent in four languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean.
Lu Han (Chinese: 鹿晗; pinyin: Lù Hán) was born on April 20, 1990 in Haidian District, Beijing, China. He graduated from the Beijing Shida Middle School and attended the Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School before leaving for South Korea to attendYonsei University as an exchange student. In 2008, Lu auditioned for JYP Entertainment's global audition held in China, but failed the audition. In 2010, while studying in Seoul, Lu was scouted by an S.M. Entertainment casting agent, who recommended him to audition for the company's annual S.M. Casting System. His audition was successful, and he was put into Exo in 2011. Lu was the second of the twelve members to be formally introduced, on December 27, 2011. Along with Tao, Chen, and Exo-K's Kai, Lu made his first televised performance on SBS's Gayo Daejun event on December 29. Lu currently attends the Seoul Institute of the Arts majoring in Applied Music.
Tao was born Huang Zitao (simplified Chinese: 黄子韬; traditional Chinese: 黃子韜; pinyin: Huáng Zitāo) on May 2, 1993 in Qingdao,Shandong, China. He is a formal pupil at Humen Centre Primary School, one of the most prestigious primary schools in Qingdao, and Qindao Middle School. Tao is a martial artist, and has been practicing Wushu since he was six years old. When he stayed in Hong Kong, he won first place in a free style rapping competition.[citation needed] Tao was cast into S.M. Entertainment through the company's global casting system in 2011. He was the third to be formally introduced, on December 27, 2011. Along with Lu Han, Chen, and Exo-K's Kai, Tao made his first televised performance on SBS's Gayo Daejun event on December 29.
Chen was born Kim Jong-dae (Korean: 김종대; Hanja: 金鐘大) on September 21, 1992 in South Korea. He was cast into S.M. Entertainment through the S.M. Casting System in 2011. Chen was the fourth member formally introduced, on December 29, 2011. Along with Lu Han, Tao, and Exo-K's Kai, Chen had his first televised performance at SBS's Gayo Daejun event on December 29.
Lay was born Zhang Yixing (simplified Chinese: 张艺兴; traditional Chinese: 張藝興; pinyin: Zhāng Yìxīng) on October 7, 1991 inChangsha, Hunan, China. In 2008, he was cast into S.M. Entertainment through the company's global casting system. Prior to joining S.M. Entertainment, Lay was a local child star in China, and made guest performances in various Chinese variety shows. In 2011, Lay briefly worked for SHINee in their concert tour as Jonghyun's dance replacement. Lay was formally introduced as a member on January 17, 2012. Xiumin was born Kim Min-seok (Korean: 김민석; Hanja: 金珉碩) on March 26, 1990 in South Korea. In 2008, he was cast into S.M. Entertainment after winning second place in the S.M. Everysing Contest. Xiumin was formally introduced as a member on January 26, 2012.
