Xiumin

Kim Min-seok (; born March 26, 1990), known professionally as Xiumin (; ), is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy band Exo, its sub-group Exo-M and leader of its sub-unit Exo-CBX. He debuted as a soloist on September 26, 2022, with the extended play (EP) Brand New.

Name His stage name is a combination of the Chinese reading of hanja characters 秀 (xiù), which means great or show, and 珉 (mín) which is part of his birth name.

Life and career 1990–2013: Early life and career beginnings

Xiumin was born on March 26, 1990, in Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul and grew up in Guri, Gyeonggi Province. 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 entertainment 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 You-jung in the music video for the song "Gone" by South Korean singer Jin, now a member of Lovelyz.

2015–2020: 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. Xiumin took his final military leave in November 2020, and did not return to the army due to the military's policy on COVID-19; he was discharged on December 6.

2022–present: Solo debut, subsequent releases, contract dispute and INB100 SM Entertainment confirmed that Xiumin would be the lead in a new drama, CEO-dol Mart in 2023.

On September 26, 2022, Xiumin released his debut EP, Brand New, alongside its lead single of the same name. Brand New is a retro K-pop record, which brings "nostalgic '90s sonic euphoria to listeners" according to The Korea Herald.

On April 5, 2023, it was confirmed that Xiumin and Eunha will have a collaboration song "Who?", which was released on April 9, 2023.

On June 1, 2023, it was announced that Xiumin, Chen and Baekhyun had ended their contracts with SM Entertainment on the grounds of overdue payment and unreasonable deals. On June 19, SM and the three members announced that both parties had resolved their differences over contract dispute and the members had decided to stay with the agency.

On September 20, 2023, it was announced that Xiumin participated for the soundtrack of CEO-dol Mart, titled "Daisy".

On January 8, 2024, Xiumin joined Baekhyun's label, INB100, to manage his solo activities with Exo activities to remain under SM Entertainment.

On March 10, 2025, Xiumin released his second EP, Interview X, alongside its lead single "Whee!". In addition, he would tour around Asia for his first fan concert titled "X Times " in six various cities from March to May 2025.

On October 20, 2025, Xiumin released the digital singles "Overdrop" and "Fireflies" described as a "Pop Dance Title Track and R&B Companion" by The Chosun Ilbo.

Discography

Extended plays + List of albums, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures Title Details Peak chart positions Sales KOR JPN JPNHot Brand New Released: September 26, 2022 Label: SM Entertainment, Dreamus Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 2 6 7 KOR: 177,439 JPN: 7,389 Interview X Released: March 10, 2025 Label: INB100 Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 8 — — KOR: 114,608

Singles

KOR: 661,196 Collaborations "Young & Free" 2017 31 6 KOR: 72,133 SM Station Season 2 "Who?" 2023 — — Soundtrack appearances "You Are the One" 2015 62 — KOR: 26,196 Falling for Challenge OST "For You" 2016 5 9 KOR: 625,756 Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo OST "To My One and Only You" 2021 81 — Mr. Queen OST "Daisy" 2023 — — CEO-dol Mart OST "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.