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. 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. 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 KORPeaks on the Circle Album Chart: 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: 114,608Cumulative Sales of Interview X:
Singles
Title Year Peak chartpositions Sales Album KORCharted songs on Gaon Digital Chart:
USWorldCharted songs on Billboard World Digital Song Sales:
As lead artist "Breakin' Machine" 2014 — — rowspan="6" Exology Chapter 1: The Lost Planet "Beyond" 2019 — — Exo Planet 4 - The Elyxion (dot) "You" () 68 — SM Station Season 3 "Brand New" 2022 — — Brand New "Whee!" 2025 — — Interview X "Overdrop" — — As featured artist "Call You Bae" 2016 5 5 KOR: 661,196 Collaborations "Young & Free" 2017 31 6 KOR: 72,133Cumulative sales for "Young & Free":
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: 625,756Cumulative sales for "For You":
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo OST "To My One and Only You" () 2021 81 — rowspan="2" Mr. Queen OST "Daisy" 2023 — — CEO-dol Mart OST "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. Notes
Filmography
Film Year Title Role 2016 Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River Gyeon
Web series Year Title Role 2015 Exo Next Door Xiumin Falling for Challenge Na Do-jeon 2023 CEO-dol Mart Shin Tae-ho 2025 Heo's Diner Heo Gyun
Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2016 Travel without Manager Main cast Episodes 1–8 2017–2018 It's Dangerous Beyond The Blankets Ep. 1–3 (Season 1), Ep. 6–7 (Season 2) 2021 Drink With God Host Episodes 3–12 Drink With God Season 2 Episodes 1–10 Xiumin's Tennis King Tomorrow Main cast with Jeon Mi-ra 2024 Make Mate 1 Host 2024–2025 Mr. Trot Master Season 3
Web shows Year Title Role Notes 2019 Heart4U/Sim For You – Xiumin Arc Host Episodes 1-18 2022 Brand New Acorn Market
Radio shows Year Date Title Role 2013 July 13 SJ Shindong's Shim Shim Ta Pa (Stop the Boring Time) Special DJ November 8 2015 January 29 Super Junior's Kiss The Radio
Documentaries Year Title Notes 2017 Korea from Above Narration with Suho
Videography Music videos Year Title 2015 "You Are the One" 2016 "Call You Bae" 2017 "Young & Free" 2018 "Beyond" 2019 "You" 2022 "Brand New" Guest appearances 2013 "Gone" 2014 "A Glass of Soju"
Theater Year Title Role Notes 2015 School OZ Aquila Holographic musical 2019 Return: The Promise of That Day Kim Seung-ho Army musical 2020 Return Hyun-min 2021–2022 Hadestown Orpheus
Fanmeetings Event Date Country Location Xiuweet Time May 4, 2019 Seoul, South Korea Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium On: Xiuweet Time March 27, 2021 Online
Ambassadorship Year Title 2014 Gangnam City Ambassador Honorary Member of Korea Football Association (KFA)
Awards and nominations
+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2015 SNS Web Drama Award Falling for Challenge Circle Chart Music Awards 2023 Mubeat Global Choice Awards (Male) Xiumin Click! StarWars Awards 2017 Most Popular Singer Korea First Brand Awards 2023 Best Male Solo Singer
References
External links
Xiumin at SM Town