When EXO’s Kai sat front row at the LACOSTE Fall/Winter 2026 runway show on March 8, 2026, fans were all set to usher in a brand-new era with Kai as international ambassador for the tradition luxury brand name.
He signs up with the similarity the following list of elite athletes and artists who have represented the brand:
- Novak Djokovic, winner of 24 Grand Slam males’s songs titles
- Venus Williams, five-time Wimbledon songs champ and winner of seven Grand Slam titles
- Wang Yibo, member of South Korean-Chinese band UNIQ
- Adrien Brody, two-time Academy Award winner
LACOSTE was founded in 1923 by René Lacoste, a tennis gamer who would go on to win 7 Grand Slam titles and make the label “the crocodile” (the brand name’s logo design) for his tenacity on the court.
When the brand announced it had actually picked the K-pop star as ambassador, it said: “The tenacity and focus that Kai reveals towards his goals, not to mention his ability to showcase both power and restraint on phase, closely resemble the alligator, which is the sign of our brand name. Kai was selected as our brand name ambassador since his mindset as an artist lined up with creator Ren Lacoste’s philosophies of endurance, desire to pursue difficulties, and style.”
Kai is part of the South Korean experience band EXO, attributed for leading the way for K-pop beyond South Korea’s borders. Chart-topping hits. Sold-out trips. Awards.
But beyond their success and style week looks, the members’ backgrounds expose another side to them: a more scholastic, studious childhood in prominent art high schools and universities.
Education of existing EXO members
Suho
University: Korea National University of Arts (withdrew), Kyung Hee Cyber University, Inha University
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Acting (withdrew), Bachelor’s degree in Culture and Arts Business Administration, Master’s degree in Culture Management
Fun truth: Suho’s daddy is a professor at Soonchunhyang University in Asan, South Korea.
Xiumin
University: Catholic Kwandong University
Degree: Master’s degree in Music
Xiumin’s education has always been kept the down low. While it’s clear that he holds a master’s degree, it’s rumoured that he pursued a PhD in 2017.
Students reported that he’s enrolled and remains in the process of finishing his doctorate at Hoseo University. His degree is unidentified, but he is not a part of the Contemporary/Practical Music department.
Lay
University: None
Degree: None
Lay, also known as Zhang Yixing, did not go to any higher education institute. He participated in the Hunan Normal University High School in China, where he was acknowledged as an outstanding student.
Baekhyun
University: Kyung Hee Cyber University
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Culture and Arts Company Administration
Chen
University: Hanseo University, Hanyang Cyber University
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Applied Music, Master of Service Administration (MBA) in Marketing and Media
Chanyeol
University: Kyung Hee Cyber University, Inha University (yet to graduate)
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Culture and Arts Service Administration, Graduate programme in Interior Design (yet to graduate)
The specific Interior decoration graduate programme Chanyeol is pursuing at Inha University is unidentified. He had to put his education on hold to complete his necessary military service in 2021.
D.O.
University: None
Degree: None
D.O., likewise called Doh Kyung-soo, finished his education only through high school, as he wanted to concentrate on singing and acting early in his profession. He studied at Goyang Poongsan Primary School, Baekshin Middle School, and Baekseok High School.
Kai
University: None
Degree: None
Kai went to the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA) as part of his high school education. While he did not pursue an undergraduate or master’s degree like his members, Kai becomes part of a YouTube channel called “Jeongwaja (전과자),” a series that showcases the host going to different university programmes to much better understand what you’ll discover in them.
Sehun
University: None
Degree: None
Sehun finished from the School of Carrying Out Arts Seoul (SOPA), among Seoul’s most prominent art schools. He did not go to university due to his busy schedule.
Education of previous EXO members
Luhan
University: Seoul Institute of the Arts
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Applied Arts
Luhan was an exchange student at Yonsei University. It was then that he was searched in the streets of Myeong-dong by SM Home Entertainment.
Tao
University: None
Degree: None
While he may not have gone to university, Tao participated in prestigious schools, such as Humen Centre Primary School, Qingdao Middle School, and Qingdao Foreign Service Vocational School.