Kim Min-seok (Korean: 김민석; born March 26, 1990), better known by his stage name Xiumin (시우민; pronounced[ɕʰi.u.min]), 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.
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.[1]
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.[citation needed]
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.[7]
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.[8] In October 2015, Xiumin played the leading role opposite actress Kim So-eun in the web drama Falling for Challenge.[9] He also released his first solo song since debut titled "You Are the One" as a soundtrack of the web drama.[10]Falling for Challenge was the most watched web drama in South Korea in 2015, reaching 20 million views just after 17 days.[11]
In February 2016, Xiumin was featured in AOA member Jimin's solo single "Call You Bae", and appeared in its music video.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] In October 2016, together with Chen and Baekhyun, Xiumin became a member of Exo's first official sub unit Exo-CBX.[15] The group made their debut with the extended playHey Mama! on October 31.[16]
Xiumin enlisted for his mandatory military service on May 7, 2019, serving active duty.[19][20] He performed his final concerts before his enlistment with Exo-CBX's Magical Circus - Special Edition concert in Japan,[21] and his solo fan meeting concert, Xiuweet Time, at Jamsil Arena on May 4.[22] Following his enlistment, he released his debut solo single, "You," which is part of SM Station, on May 9.[21] 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.[23] 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.[24]
2022–present: Solo debut, contract dispute and INB100
SM Entertainment confirmed that Xiumin would be the lead in a new drama, CEO-dol Mart in 2023.[25][26]
On September 26, 2022, Xiumin released his debut EP, Brand New, alongside its lead single of the same name.[27]Brand New is a retro K-pop record, which brings "nostalgic '90s sonic euphoria to listeners" according to The Korea Herald.[28]
On April 5, 2023, it was confirmed that Xiumin and Eunha will have a collaboration song "Who?", which was released on April 9, 2023.[29]
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.[30] 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.[31]
On September 20, 2023, it was announced that Xiumin participated for the soundtrack of CEO-dol Mart, titled "Daisy".[32]
On January 8, 2024, Xiumin joined Baekhyun's label, INB100, to manage his solo activities while Exo activities remains under SM Entertainment.[33][34]
"—" 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.
Notes
^"Brand New" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but peaked at number 26 on the Circle Download Chart.[43]
^Kim, Mi-ji (June 29, 2017). 엑소 시우민·NCT 마크, 'SM스테이션'으로 스페셜 듀오 결성 [EXO Xiumin and NCT Mark Form Special Duo with 'SM Station']. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
^Kim, Eun-ae (May 5, 2019). 엑소 시우민, 입대 앞두고 팬미팅 대성황..전석 매진→신곡 공개→엑소 의리[공식] [EXO Xiumin's Successful Fan Meeting Prior to Enlistment; Sold Out Seats, New Song Release, Exo Loyalty]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019 – via Naver.
^Jang, Jin-ri (August 26, 2019). 샤이니 온유-엑소 시우민, 육군 뮤지컬 '귀환: 그날의 약속' 출연 [[Exclusive] SHINee Onew and EXO Xiumin to Appear in Army Musical 'Return: The Promise of That Day']. Spotv News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Naver.
^Choi, Heejae (November 23, 2020). 엑소 시우민, 말년 휴가 중 12월 6일 미복귀 전역..코로나19 여파 [공식입장] [EXO's Xiumin is on final holiday due to COVID-19 protocols; will return on December 6th]. XSports News (in Korean). Daum. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
^Sun, Minkyung (September 5, 2022). "엑소 시우민, 9월 26일 첫 솔로앨범 'Brand New' 발매 확정[공식]" [EXO's Xiumin, confirmed to release his first solo album 'Brand New' on September 26 [Official]]. Osen. Naver. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
^Seon Mi-kyung (April 5, 2023). 엑소 시우민x비비지 은하, 달달한 입맞춤 [Xiumin (EXO) x Eunha (VIVIZ), a sweet kiss]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023 – via Naver.
^Choi, Yoon-a (June 1, 2023). "엑소 백현·시우민·첸 "SM, 노예계약 강요" 법적대응 추진[전문]" [EXO Baekhyun, Xiumin, Chen "SM, forced slave contract" legal response [full text]]. Donga. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
^Yoo, Soo-yeon (September 20, 2023). '사장돌마트' 이번엔 귀호강이다...시우민→형원, OST 참여 ['CEO Dol Mart' is a great show this time... Xiumin → Hyungwon participate in OST]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-hun (January 8, 2024). 백현·시우민·첸, 독립 레이블 설립.."엑소 활동은 SM" [공식] [Baekhyun, Xiumin, and Chen founded an independent label.."EXO activity is SM" [Official]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Naver.
^Ji, Min-kyung (January 8, 2024). SM 측 "엑소 멤버 8人 그룹 활동 계속..첸백시 개인 활동 별도 진행" (전문)[공식] [SM side "8 EXO members continue group activities..CBX's individual activities are underway separately" (Full Text) [Official]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kim Sang-min (May 31, 2016). "'봉이 김선달' 시우민, 동생 유승호 따라다니며 '동생 짓'" ['Bongi Kim Seon-dal' Xiumin follows his younger brother Yoo Seung-ho and 'does his brother'] (in Korean). Seoul Daily. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi Na-yeon (May 15, 2015). "'우리집 옆집에 엑소', 韓 웹드 최초 네이버TV 캐스트 천만 돌파 '기염'" ['EXO next door to my house', the first Korean web Naver TV cast to break through 10 million 'Girl'] (in Korean). Chosun. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeong Ja-hun (October 26, 2015). "[포토] 도전에 반하다, 깜찍한 포즈 선보이는 엑소 시우민" [[Photo] EXO's Xiumin, who is in love with the challenge, shows off a cute pose] (in Korean). NewDaily. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang Da-yun (September 14, 2022). "엑소 시우민, '사장돌 마트' 출연 확정...7년만 드라마 컴백 [공식]" [EXO's Xiumin confirmed to appear in 'President Idol Mart'... Drama comeback after 7 years [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kwak Hyun-soo (July 26, 2021). "[단독] 엑소 시우민, 전미라 제자 된다...테니스 예능 도전" [[Exclusive] EXO's Xiumin, Jeon Mi-ra's disciple... tennis entertainment challenge]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee Hye-mi (August 3, 2021). "시우민의 내일은 테니스 왕' 시우민, 현장 사진 공개.. 청량한 매력" ['Xiumin's Tomorrow is the King of Tennis' Xiumin, on-site photos released.. Refreshing charm]. tvreport (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
^Park Jung-min (October 4, 2022). "엑소 수호·첸·카이·세훈, 시우민 위해 뭉쳤다...'브랜드 뉴 도토리 마켓' 오늘(4일) 공개" [EXO's Suho, Chen, Kai, and Sehun united for Xiumin... 'Brand New Acorn Market' unveiled today (4th)]. Naver (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
^Choi Na-yeon (May 15, 2015). "'전역 후 팬들과 첫만남' 엑소(EXO) 시우민, 오는 26일 단독 팬미팅 진행→티켓팅 일정 보니?" ['First meeting with fans after discharge' EXO's Xiumin, solo fan meeting on the 26th → Did you see the ticketing schedule?] (in Korean). Top Star News. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^"Kim Soo-hyun takes top APAN Star honors". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 30, 2015. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2017. K-pop singer Xiumin, a member of Exo, also received the Web Drama award for his performance in the web drama series "Falling for Do-jeon."