Chen (singer)

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Chen (singer)

Role / Field:

South Korean singer and songwriter known for his vocal prowess in Exo and solo work.

Born:

1992-09-21

Century / Era:

1992s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Kim Jong-dae (Korean: 김종대; born September 21, 1992), known professionally as Chen (첸), is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Exo, its subgroup Exo-M and its subunit Exo-CBX, and participated in SM's projects SM the Ballad. He is predominantly known for his role as the vocalist of Exo. Apart from his group's activities, Chen has also recorded songs for various television dramas, most notably "Best Luck" for It's Okay, That's Love (2014) and "Everytime" for Descendants of the Sun (2016). In 2019, Chen debuted as a solo singer with the extended play (EP) April, and a Flower, which peaked at number two on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart and spawned the hit single "Beautiful Goodbye".

Career & Major Achievements

Continuing the success, his second EP, Dear My Dear, accompanied by the single "Shall We?" was released later that same year. Chen was born on September 21, 1992, in Daejeon and grew up in the Jeongwang-dong neighborhood of Siheung. He became a trainee at SM Entertainment through the company's Casting System in 2011 at the age of 19. On December 29, 2011, he was formally introduced as the fourth member of Exo. He made his first public appearance as an Exo member alongside Luhan, Tao, and Kai at the 2011 SBS Gayo Daejeon.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 2014, Chen joined the ballad group SM the Ballad, initially formed by SM Entertainment in 2010. On the group's second album Breath, he sang the Chinese version of the lead single "Breath" with Zhang Liyin. When U Were...", and "A Day Without You" with Shinee's Jonghyun. Chen performed his duets with Krystal and Jonghyun live at the SM the Ballad Joint Recital on February 12. In July 2014, Chen released his first solo song since debut titled "The Best Luck" as an original soundtrack for the SBS drama It's Okay, That's Love, which stars his fellow Exo member D.O. "The Best Luck" was awarded the "Best OST by a Male Artist" and "Best OST Song" at the 5th So-Loved Awards and the 16th Seoul International Youth Film Festival respectively.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1992 (1992-09-21): Birth of Chen (singer) — South Korean singer and songwriter known for his vocal prowess in Exo and solo work.
2. 2011: 2011 Milestone — He became a trainee at SM Entertainment through the company's Casting System in 2011 at the age of 19.
3. 2014: 2014 Milestone — Apart from his group's activities, Chen has also recorded songs for various television dramas, most notably "Best Luck" for It's Okay, That's Love (2014) and "Everytime" for Descendants of the Sun (2016).
4. 2019: 2019 Milestone — In 2019, Chen debuted as a solo singer with the extended play (EP) April, and a Flower, which peaked at number two on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart and spawned the hit single "Beautiful Goodbye".

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Chen (singer)

True or False: “Chen's first major OST success came from the drama It's Okay, That's Love in 2014.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The song "The Best Luck" for that drama won multiple 'Best OST' awards at the time.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Abdul Hamid II — Shared historical date (09-21 · Born) (1842): Last effective Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, navigating decline and constitutional upheaval.
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• Alex Haley — Historical peer (Died in 1992) (1992): Pioneering author of 'Roots,' who brought Black American genealogy to global prominence.
• 2014 League of Legends World Championship — Historical peer (Born in 2014) (2014): The 4th League of Legends World Championship, held in Asia in 2014.
• Adolfo Suárez — Historical peer (Died in 2014) (2014): Key architect of Spain's transition to democracy, serving as Prime Minister 1976-1981.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• 1992 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1992
• September 21 (09-21) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 21

Frequently Asked Questions about Chen (singer)