When EXO’s Kai sat front row at the LACOSTE Fall/Winter 2026 runway show on March 8, 2026, fans were ready to usher in a new era with Kai as global ambassador for the legacy luxury brand.
He joins the likes of the following list of elite athletes and artists who have represented the brand:
- Novak Djokovic, winner of 24 Grand Slam men’s singles titles
- Venus Williams, five-time Wimbledon singles champion 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 player who would go on to win seven Grand Slam titles and earn the nickname “the crocodile” (the brand’s logo) for his tenacity on the court.
When the brand announced it had chosen the K-pop star as ambassador, it said: “The tenacity and focus that Kai shows toward his goals, not to mention his ability to showcase both power and restraint on stage, closely resemble the alligator, which is the symbol of our brand. Kai was chosen as our brand ambassador because his attitude as an artist aligned with founder Ren Lacoste’s philosophies of endurance, willingness to pursue challenges, and style.”
Kai is part of the South Korean sensation band EXO, attributed for paving the way for K-pop beyond South Korea’s borders. Chart-topping hits. Sold-out tours. Awards.
But beyond their success and fashion week appearances, the members’ backgrounds reveal another side to them: a more academic, studious upbringing in prestigious art high schools and universities.
Education of current EXO members
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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 fact: Suho’s dad is a professor at Soonchunhyang University in Asan, South Korea.
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Xiumin
University: Catholic Kwandong University
Degree: Master’s degree in Music
Xiumin’s education has always been kept on 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 is in the process of completing his doctorate at Hoseo University. His degree is unknown, but he is not a part of the Contemporary/Practical Music department.
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Lay
University: None
Degree: None
Lay, also known as Zhang Yixing, did not attend any higher education institute. He attended the Hunan Normal University High School in China, where he was recognised as an outstanding student.
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Baekhyun
University: Kyung Hee Cyber University
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Culture and Arts Business Administration
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Chen
University: Hanseo University, Hanyang Cyber University
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Applied Music, Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Advertising and Media
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Chanyeol
University: Kyung Hee Cyber University, Inha University (yet to graduate)
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Culture and Arts Business Administration, Graduate programme in Interior Design (yet to graduate)
The specific Interior Design graduate programme Chanyeol is pursuing at Inha University is unknown. He had to put his education on hold to complete his mandatory military service in 2021.
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D.O.
University: None
Degree: None
D.O., also known as Doh Kyung-soo, completed his education only through high school, as he wanted to focus on singing and acting early in his career. He studied at Goyang Poongsan Elementary School, Baekshin Middle School, and Baekseok High School.
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Kai
University: None
Degree: None
Kai attended 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 is part of a YouTube channel called “Jeongwaja (전과자),” a series that showcases the host attending different university programmes to better understand what you’ll learn in them.
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Sehun
University: None
Degree: None
Sehun graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA), one of Seoul’s most prestigious art schools. He did not attend university due to his busy schedule.
Education of former EXO members
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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 scouted in the streets of Myeong-dong by SM Entertainment.
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Tao
University: None
Degree: None
While he may not have attended university, Tao attended prestigious schools, such as Humen Centre Primary School, Qingdao Middle School, and Qingdao Foreign Service Vocational School.
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