Kris Wu: from K-pop's Exo to solo singing star, actor and Rap of China judge

Kris Wu at the production conference of reality show 72 Floors of Mystery in China in May 2017. Photo: Alamy

Chinese singer and actor Kris Wu has enjoyed a meteoric rise since he entered show business in 2012, going from a member of South Korean boy band Exo to one of the biggest Asian stars in the world today.

Born in Guangzhou, Wu moved to Canada at the age of 10. When he was 18 he attended an audition in Vancouver for South Korean entertainment company SM Entertainment, which offered him a role in K-pop band Exo in 2012.

Sehun from K-pop band Exo: meet the lead rapper and dancer

Since going solo in 2014, Wu’s profile has risen as a rapper – as well as his songs, he also appeared as a judge on the hugely popular Chinese TV reality show The Rap of China – and as an actor, with roles in films including xXx: Return of Xander Cage and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

With Wu turning 28 today (November 6), let’s take a look at his life and career in pictures.

Exo on their debut in 2012, with Wu on the top row, second from left.

Wu in the 2015 Chinese romantic drama Somewhere Only We Know.

Wu (front) in the music video for Deserve featuring US rapper Travis Scott.

Wu on the red carpet at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles in February 2017.

Wu (left) as the character ‘Nicks’ in the 2017 US action movie xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Photo: Alamy

Wu at the 2016 China Film Week in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Alamy

Wu in the music video for his song Miss You, featuring Chinese actress Zhao Liying.

Wu at the 2018 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles last month. Photo: Alamy

Wu in the music video for his single BM.

Wu playing the character ‘Rocky’ next to Hong Kong actor Tony Leung in the 2018 Hong Kong-made action thriller Europe Raiders.

Wu in collaboration with Burberry. Photo: Burberry

Wu in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Photo: Alamy

Wu at the 2016 China Film Week in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Alamy

Wu as Sergeant Neza in Luc Besson’s science fiction film Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017).

Meet Kai of boy band Exo, one of the best dancers in K-pop

Wu as ‘Xiaofei’ in the 2015 Chinese crime drama Mr Six.