K-pop idol Kai’s rise to fame: How the Exo and SuperM singer went from a Suncheon ballet dancer to the world-famous ‘Human Gucci’
Kai’s interest in dance was sparked by The Nutcracker when he was a kid, but when he had to choose between an art school interview and an audition with SM Entertainment, he went with SM – because his dad promised him a Nintendo console
Why do K-pop fans love Exo and SuperM’s Kai so very much? Take your pick: is it his perfect pop-and-lock dance moves, his stylish clothes (that often reveal a set of killer abs) or his brooding, sultry expressions?
But what about when he isn’t in front of the cameras or a live audience? Well, he is a passionate artist, to be sure, but he is also a warm-hearted son and brother.
Dancing child genius
His smooth dance moves, which shift fluidly between dance genres, set Kai apart from the pack. That’s because he has trained in dance from a young age, taking up ballet lessons in second grade. He became keenly interested in jazz dance, and even more so in ballet, after he saw The Nutcracker.
Kai actually tried out for SM Entertainment twice, according to Koreaboo. After his first attempt in sixth grade, the agency thought Kai was too young and told him to return in a couple of years. Kai spent that time learning street and urban dance techniques. He auditioned again in eighth grade, and not only did he win a place – he was hailed best dancer and won the most popular award, too.
