The basics
Quick facts
Intro
South Korean singer
A.K.A.
Kim Min-seok
Gender:
Male
Birth:
26 March 1990(Seoul, Joseon, South Korea)
Star sign:
Instruments:
Education:
Donggu Elementary School
South Korea
Donggu Middle School
South Korea
Catholic Kwandong University
Gangneung, Gangwon Province, South Korea
Hoseo University
Asan, South Chungcheong, South Korea
Biography menu
Menu

Jump to

Introduction Life and career Discography Theater Awards and nominations
The details
Biography

Introduction

Kim Min-seok (born (1990-03-26)March 26, 1990), better known by his stage name Xiumin (Korean: 시우민; [ɕʰi.u.min]), is a South Korean singer and actor. He is best known as a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy band Exo, its sub-group Exo-M and its sub-unit Exo-CBX.

Life and career

1990–2013: Early life and career beginnings

Xiumin was born in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, on March 26, 1990. He was a student at Catholic Kwandong University where he attended a seminar and gave a presentation for students in Applied Music. Xiumin learned martial arts and has a black belt in Kendo and Taekwondo. He also trained in Wushu and Fencing. Xiumin is also known as an avid fan of football, and is an honorary ambassador of the Korea Football Association.

Before Xiumin's participation in SM's Everysing Contest, he had auditioned for JYP in 2008 but was rejected. In 2008, Xiumin won second place in the SM Everysing Contest. He later became a trainee through SM Entertainment's Casting System in the same year.

Xiumin was revealed as the seventh member of South Korean-Chinese boy group Exo in January 2012. The group debuted on April 8, 2012. In 2013, Xiumin made a guest appearance alongside actress Kim Yoo-jung in the music video for the song "Gone" by South Korean singer Jin, now a member of Lovelyz.

2015–present: Acting roles and Exo-CBX

In January 2015, Xiumin made his musical theatre debut, playing the character of Aquila in the SM Entertainment musical School OZ alongside labelmates Changmin, Key, Luna, Suho and Seulgi. In October 2015, Xiumin played the leading role opposite actress Kim So-eun in the web drama Falling for Challenge. He also released his first solo song since debut titled "You Are the One" as a soundtrack of the web drama. Falling for Challenge was the most watched web drama in South Korea in 2015, reaching 20 million views just after 17 days.

In February 2016, Xiumin was featured in AOA member Jimin's solo single "Call You Bae", and appeared in its music video. In July 2016, he made his big screen debut alongside Yoo Seung-ho in the South Korean film Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River. In August 2016, he collaborated with fellow Exo members Chen, and Baekhyun on an original soundtrack titled "For You" for the television series Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. In October 2016, together with Chen and Baekhyun, Xiumin became a member of Exo's first official sub unit Exo-CBX. The group made their debut with the extended play Hey Mama! on October 31.

In July 2017, Xiumin collaborated with NCT member Mark on a single titled "Young & Free" for S.M. Entertainment's digital music project Station. In August, he became a regular cast member on the MBC reality TV show It's Dangerous Beyond The Blankets.

Xiumin enlisted for his mandatory military service on May 7, 2019, serving active duty. He performed his final concerts before his enlistment with Exo-CBX's Magical Circus - Special Edition concert in Japan, and his solo fan meeting concert, Xiuweet Time, at Jamsil Arena on May 4. Following his enlistment, he released his debut solo single, "You", which is part of SM Station, on May 9. In August 2019, it was reported that Xiumin would be starring in an army musical titled "Return: The Promise of That Day" together with Shinee member Onew and Yoon Ji-sung, which ran from October 22 to December 1 at the Olympic Park’s Woori Art Hall in Seoul.

Discography

Songs

Title Year Peak chart
positions
Sales Album
KOR USWorld
Gaon
Hot100
As lead artist
"Breakin' Machine" 2014 N/A N/A Exology Chapter 1: The Lost Planet
"Beyond" 2019 Exo Planet 4 - The Elyxion (dot)
"You" (이유) 68 65 Non-album single
As featured artist
"Call You Bae"
(Jimin featuring Xiumin)
2016 5 N/A 5
  • KOR: 661,196
Non-album single
Collaborations
"Young & Free"
(with Mark)
2017 31 N/A 6
  • KOR: 72,133
Non-album single
Soundtrack appearances
"You Are the One" 2015 62 N/A
  • KOR: 26,196
Falling for Challenge OST
"For You"
(with Baekhyun and Chen)
2016 5 9
  • KOR: 625,756
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
K-pop Hot 100 was introduced in August 2011, discontinued in July 2014 and was re-established on December 30, 2017.

Theater

Title Year Role Notes
School OZ 2015 Aquila Holographic musical; supporting role
Return: The Promise of That Day 2019 Kim Seung-ho Army musical
Return 2020 Hyun-min Army musical

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
2015 4th APAN Star Awards Award for SNS Web Drama Falling for Challenge Won
2017 Click! StarWars Awards Most Popular Singer N/A Won