Kris Wu: From Kpop to becoming top Chinese actor and musician; Here’s the artist’s climb to glory in the entertainment biz

Kris Wu used to be part of the Korean boy band EXO that is being managed by SM Entertainment. He is one of the four Chinese nationals who are part of the group, but he made big news when he announced his departure at the height of the band’s promotion.

EXO is one of the most successful idol group’s in Korea, and they were recognized worldwide too. Thus, his exit from EXO left many fans heartbroken. What made his departure even sadder is the fact that he left on bad terms with his agency and co-members since he specified discrimination as one of the reasons for his decision to give up his spot in the popular band.

How Kris reached success

As mentioned, Kris Wu started his career by debuting with EXO in 2011. He is one of the Chinese nationals who found fame via Kpop and was discovered after auditioning when SM Entertainment held its global audition event in Canada where he was based at that time.

At 17, Kris flew to South Korea to train after passing the auditions to be a trainee. He was included in the group that SM was forming and it consisted of 12 lads. After three years with EXO, he parted ways with SM and his teammates to pursue his own career path.

It was a messy separation, and he got involved in a legal battle with his former agency. After a long process, it was decided that he will finish his contract with SM, but his Chinese activities will be exclusively managed by the company he set up.

How he is doing today

Although it was unfortunate that he left the group that made him famous, he acknowledged that if he did not become part of EXO, there would be no Kris Wu today. Thus, he said that he did not regret the fact that he was once an EXO member.

“While I’m glad I left EXO, I never regretted being part of it,” New Straits Times quoted Wu as saying. “The experience gained from the time with the band has made me the artist I am today.”

Today, he is enjoying his career as he is free to choose whatever he wants to do. He can star in movies, produce hip-hop albums and even go Hollywood. He is pursuing his dream, and so far, he starred with Vin Diesel via “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” in 2017, became a judge in a rapping competition show in China, and his latest gig is a collaboration with American rapper Travis Scott.