Kris Wu reached international prominence as a member of the K-pop group Exo before establishing a solo career as a rapper and actor in China. Born in 1990 in Guangzhou, he later moved to Vancouver, Canada, eventually returning to Asia to join the entertainment industry through SM Entertainment's trainee program in Seoul, South Korea.
Early Life and Education
Born Li Jiaheng, he moved to Canada at age 10 with his mother and adopted the surname Wu. He attended Point Grey Secondary School in Vancouver. In 2007, he attended SM Entertainment's auditions in Canada and moved to Seoul in 2008 to begin four years of training as a performer.
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Wu debuted as a member of the boy group Exo in 2012, appearing on the commercially successful studio album XOXO and the hit single Growl. He featured on the group's 2014 album Overdose before pursuing an independent career in China, where he focused on music, film, and reality television appearances.
Film and Music Career
His acting credits include Somewhere Only We Know, Mr. Six, and Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back. In 2017, he appeared in the Hollywood films XXX: Return of Xander Cage and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. His music collaborations include the track Deserve with Travis Scott, which reached number one on the U.S. iTunes chart.
Legal Proceedings
In 2021, Beijing authorities arrested Wu. The Chaoyang District Court subsequently sentenced him to 13 years in prison for rape and group sex offenses. Additionally, he received a fine of CN¥600 million for tax evasion. Following the failure of his appeal in November 2023, he began serving his sentence, with deportation mandated upon his release.
Fast facts
- Born: 6 November 1990
- Birthplace: Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Citizenship: Canada and People's Republic of China
- Education: Point Grey Secondary School
- Former Group: Exo
- Sentenced: 13 years imprisonment
- Fine: CN¥600 million
Questions readers ask
What is Kris Wu's current legal status?
He is serving a 13-year prison sentence in China for rape and group sex, followed by mandatory deportation.
Was Kris Wu part of a music group?
Yes, he was a member of the K-pop boy group Exo and its subgroup Exo-M from 2012 until 2014.
Achievements
- Instruments: voice
- Genres: C-pop, hip-hop and contemporary R&B
