Exo Lay Zhang: A Multitalented Star in Music and Acting

Early Life and Career

Lay Zhang was born on October 7, 1991, in Changsha, Hunan, China. His legal name was later changed to Zhang Yixing. He started acting at age six, appearing in the TV drama We The People. In 2005, he participated in the talent show Star Academy and won third place. He then joined SM Entertainment as a trainee in 2008.

In 2012, he debuted as a member of Exo and its Chinese sub-unit Exo-M, along with eleven other members. The group quickly rose to fame with their hit songs such as “MAMA”, “Growl”, “Overdose” and “Monster”. Lay Zhang was mainly in charge of dancing and rapping in the group.

Solo Activities and Achievements

In 2015, Lay Zhang founded his own personal agency, Zhang Yixing Studio, to manage his solo activities in China. He also released his autobiography, Standing Firm at 24, which became a bestseller. In 2016, he released his first solo EP, Lose Control, which topped the Gaon Album Chart and the Billboard US World Albums Chart. He also became the first celebrity to serve as the publicity ambassador for the Communist Youth League of China of Changsha.

Since then, he has released four more solo EPs and four studio albums, including Namanana (2018), which marked his US debut, and Lit (2020), which featured a fusion of traditional Chinese instruments and modern hip-hop beats. He has also composed and produced numerous songs for himself and for Exo. For the latest KPOP products, click here.

As an actor, he has appeared in several films and TV shows, both in China and abroad. Some of his notable works include Ex-Files 2 (2015), The Mystic Nine (2016), Kung Fu Yoga (2017), The Island (2018), The Golden Eyes (2019), Empress of the Ming (2019) and Crime Crackdown (2021). He has also won several awards for his acting performances.

Recent News and Future Plans

On April 8, 2022, Lay Zhang announced that he had left SM Entertainment after his 10-year contract had expired. However, he assured his fans that he would still be a part of Exo whenever his members needed him. He also expressed his gratitude to his fellow members, his colleagues at SM Entertainment, and his fans for their support over the past decade.

On the same day, he also released his new single “JIU”, which is a tribute to his hometown Changsha. He also revealed that he would be holding a concert in Beijing on May 7 to celebrate his birthday and his 10th anniversary as an artist.

Lay Zhang is currently one of the most popular and influential celebrities in China and beyond. He has been included on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list multiple times and on the CelebrityZ Top 100 Most Valuable Celebrities list in 2016. He is also known for his philanthropic work and social responsibility. He is a versatile star who can excel in music, acting, and business.

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