Having a Scholarship Program, Here are the Facts of Lay EXO's Successful Solo Career and Establishment of His Own Agency

Kapanlagi.com - Zhang Yixing or Lay is still a permanent member of EXO. Although he is active in China, Lay is also still participating in several EXO projects such as the Don't Fight The Feeling album released in June 2021.

Lay EXO is one of the K-Pop idols from China. He started his career in the K-Pop industry through SM Entertainment agency, debuting through the boy group EXO in 2012. However, in recent years, due to political issues between China and Korea, Lay had to take a temporary hiatus from EXO.

Lay decided to pursue a solo career in his own country, China. Lay's career has gained tremendous popularity even on the international stage. In addition to being active in music, Lay has started to expand his horizons by establishing his own agency called Chromosome Entertainment.

Despite his successful solo career and owning his own agency, Lay still remains a part of EXO and vice versa. Lay's love for EXO is so strong, even though he has received negative news about his loyalty to the boy group that has made his name.  So, how has Lay EXO's career journey been?

You can find out more about Lay EXO's career journey through the review below. The following career journey of Lay EXO that impresses has been summarized by kapanlagi.com from various sources.

1. Talented Child Star

(credit: Instagram.com/layzhang/)

Lay's career in the entertainment industry actually started when he was still a child, at the age of 6. Lay often appeared on various television shows in China as a child star.

What's even more impressive is that when he was young, Lay once won third place in the Star Academy in 2005, a television program in China. According to koreaboo, Lay is indeed very talented in music, including singing, dancing, and acting. It is because of this talent that Lay has succeeded as an idol.

2. Casting at SM Entertainment

(credit: Instagram.com/layzhang/)

Lay's meeting with SM Entertainment began when he was only 16 years old. At that time, Lay participated in auditions. Finally, in 2008, Lay flew to Korea to undergo training. While still an idol trainee, Lay actually appeared during SHINee's concert in 2011.

Yes, according to koreaboo, Lay once became a temporary member to replace Jonghyun SHINee, who was injured during the concert. As a result, Lay performed with SHINee members before his debut with EXO.

3. Debut with EXO

(credit: Instagram.com/layzhang/)

After being a trainee at the agency for some time, Lay's wait finally paid off when he successfully debuted with EXO in 2012. At that time, Lay was a member of the EXO-M subunit. Originally, the boy group EXO had two subunits, including EXO-K and EXO-M (performing music in Mandarin).

However, a few years after their debut, three Chinese members of EXO decided to leave. As a result, Lay became the only remaining member from China. Despite this, Lay achieved a proud and successful career.

4. Hiatus from EXO

(credit: Instagram.com/layzhang/)

Lay experienced a difficult time when he had to take a temporary hiatus from EXO. Yes, several sources mentioned that Lay's inactivity in the boy group led by Suho and his friends was due to political issues between Korea and China.

This condition indeed made fans feel sad. Because EXO had to perform without Lay in every album release or other activities. However, Lay often said that he is still part of EXO. On several occasions, Lay was also seen caring for the EXO members. Like when D.O was going to enlist, Lay accompanied him and visited South Korea.

Lay's loyalty to EXO has been proven, and he is still a permanent member of the EXO boy group. Moreover, in the middle of this year, Lay participated in the latest album, Don't Fight The Feeling. Lay's presence in the album can at least alleviate the longing of fans who have longed to see Lay's togetherness with other members.

5. Success in Solo Career

(credit: Instagram.com/layzhang/)

Lay finally focuses more on his solo career in his country, excelling in music, acting, commercials, and guest appearances on television programs. Among Lay's solo activities in his country are starring in the movie Ex-Files 2: The Backup Striker Back, releasing a song titled Alone (One Person) which is also the OST of the movie, and a duet song Happy Youth which achieved impressive achievements and even entered the Billboard V chart.

Meanwhile, in 2020, Lay released a solo album LIT which successfully received various prestigious awards. It was even reported that since its first release, the album has sold 40 million yuan. The album also topped the music charts in various countries around the world. This year, Lay will also release an album titled Producer.

6. Publishing Own Book

(credit: Instagram.com/chromoeg/)

Not only working in the field of music or acting, Lay also published his own autobiography book. Lay's book is titled Standing Firm at 24 which achieved remarkable achievements. The book sold 50 copies per second in the first 24 minutes online. In addition, Lay also ranked 4th on the list of Chinese celebrity authors and won the celebrity book sales in 2015. Very talented, right KLovers?

7. Establish Own Agency

(credit: Instagram.com/chromoeg/)

Lay EXO is also rumored to have established his own agency called Chromosome Entertainment. The agency will receive idol trainees who will be trained by Lay himself. This news received both positive and negative responses from fans. However, many also showed support for Lay.

One of them, Lay received support and congratulations from Lee Soo Man, the founder of SM Entertainment. Through the agency's Instagram account, Lay expressed his hope that trainees in the future will have abilities that exceed his own.

8. Give Scholarship Program

(credit: Instagram.com/layzhang/)

Lay EXO also often participates in various social activities. Even according to allkpop, Lay EXO has a scholarship program for junior students at his alma mater, Hunan Masters College Middle School. The scholarship program is called Zhang Yi Xing Arts Scholarship. It is known that Lay has donated approximately 150,000 USD. Not only talented, but Lay is also a generous and kind-hearted idol, KLovers.

Those are the series of facts about Lay EXO's successful career until now, even known worldwide. What do you think, KLovers? Let's look forward to Lay's latest works.

(kpl/gen/nlw)