Former EXO member Lay Zhang set to release album in April

Singer and actor Lay Zhang [LAY ZHANG STUDIO]

Singer Lay Zhang, formerly a member of the boy band EXO, will release an album in mid-April, n.cH Entertainment said Friday.

The singer will also release a Korean version of the album and hold promotional activities in Korea, n.cH Entertainment said. A specific date for the album’s release was not revealed.

His activities in Korea will be managed by producer Jung Chang-hwan, the founder and CEO of n.cH Entertainment, who previously worked as a producer at SM Entertainment until 2017. Zhang and Jung collaborated during Zhang’s time as a member of EXO.

Zhang, known by his real name Zhang Yixing in China and as Lay in Korea, debuted as a member of EXO and its subunit EXO-M under SM Entertainment in 2012. He released his first EP, “Lose Control,” in October 2016.

His last public appearance with EXO was at the band’s Hong Kong concerts during its third world tour in February 2017. His contract with SM Entertainment ended in 2022.

His second full-length album, “Namanana” (2018), marked his debut in the United States, making him the first Chinese solo artist to enter the top 25 on Billboard’s 200 chart and the first Chinese solo artist to land in the top 5 on the Worldwide iTunes Album chart.

The singer is also an actor and producer. He was one of the cast members in the comedy adventure action film “Kung Fu Yoga” (2017) alongside actor Jackie Chan. His most recent film, “No More Bets” (2023), in which he played the lead role of Pan Sheng, earned more than $540.5 million at the box office.

To find out more about Lay and EXO, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]