Zhang Yixing, Lay (EXO) Profile and Facts; Lay’s Ideal Type
Lay (레이), internationally known as Lay Zhang, is a Chinese rapper, singer-songwriter, producer, dancer, and actor under his own label, Zhang Yixing Studio. He debuted as a member of EXO and its Chinese subunit EXO-M, gaining recognition for his versatile talent across music and performance. Lay officially launched his solo career in China on October 28, 2016, with the release of his mini album Lose Control, followed by his U.S. debut on October 19, 2018, with the full-length album Namanana. On April 8, 2022, he announced his departure from SM Entertainment through a handwritten letter, choosing not to renew his contract while affirming that he would continue as a member of EXO.
Lay Fandom Names: XBACK, Xingmi
Official Color: —
Lay SNS:
Instagram: @layzhang
X (Twitter): @layzhang | @LAYZHANG_JP (Japan)
YouTube: @layzhang
Weibo: 努力努力再努力x
Spotify: Lay Zhang on Spotify
Stage Names: Zhang Yixing (张艺兴)/Lay (레이)
Birth Name: Zhang Jiashuai, his legalized name is Zhang Yixing (张艺兴)
Korean Name: Jang Ye Heung (장예흥)
Birthday: October 7, 1991
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Chinese Zodiac Sign: Goat
Height: 177 cm (5’10”)
Weight: 60 kg (132 lbs)
Blood Type: AB
MBTI Type: INFP
Representative Emoji: 
Lay Facts:
– He was born in Changsha, Hunan, China.
– Family: Grandparents, whom he lived with when he was a child.
– Education: Hunan Normal University High School
– He used to be a local child star in China, making appearances at many variety shows.
– In 2015 he won 3rd place in TV Star Academy (Hunan Economics TV show).
– In 2008, Lay was cast into SM Entertainment through one of their global audition.
– He was officially introduced as an EXO member on January 17th, 2012.
– He was supposed to be EXO-M’s leader but it was changed to Kris.
– He arrived at SM the same day as Luhan. That’s how they became close.
– Personality: Humble, easy-going, funny, hard-working, mischievous at times, forgetful.
– Lay has a 4D personality.
– On stage, he’s strong and charismatic, but off the stage, he is humorous and playful.
– Habit: He likes to sleep on the living room’s hard floors. (He says that the temperature is cooler there and that sleeping in a different location allows him to dream different dreams.)
– Lay said his friends used to call him ‘Da Tou’ which means Big Head.
– He speaks Chinese, Korean and English.
– He can practice for a very long time. (At one point, he arrived at SM Entertainment in the early morning, and didn’t live until the dawn of the next day.)
– He is a bit slow to react. An example would be if someone says a joke and everyone else is laughing, Lay would laugh about a minute later (after he understands the joke).
– His hobbies are: cooking, dancing, playing piano and guitar, playing on the computer, mastering the Korean language, composing songs.
– He learned to play the piano by himself.
– He once said that when an EXO member is feeling sad or tired, he would play them a song with his guitar to cheer them up.
– His favorite foods are tidbits, junk food, anything he cooks.
– He loves eating fruits.
– His favorite colors are purple and black.
– He loves cooking. (Like D.O is the cook of EXO-K, Lay is the cook of EXO-M. If there’s nothing to do, he’ll cook.)
– He likes to write lyrics and compose music.
– He takes the longest time to learn the choregraphies.
– He likes to dance in the dark.
– Yixing first got a cat at 17 years old and it didn’t have a name so he called it “Cat”.
– Lay is afraid of pigeons (basically he is afraid of anything that have beak).
– He’s rather naughty, but he’s really funny at times too.
– Lay’s neck is sensitive to wind.
– In SHINee’s 2010 concert tour, he briefly filled in as Jonghyun’s dance replacement.
– He is the cooking “umma” in EXO-M, even when there’s nothing to do, he will cook.
– He wants to be a producer in the future.
– According to the EXO-M members, Lay is the most different off-stage and on-stage.
– When he’s angry, he will keep it to himself and bottle it up until he explodes.
– He is quite forgetful at times.
– A Kpop star he got close to is Leo (VIXX) (Star Show 360).
– He established his own charity foundation entitled “Zhang Yixing Arts Scholarship”.
– Lay is first ambassador of Perrier company in China, first ambassador to the Valentino brand, first ambassador of Milka company, first ambassador of Converse in Asia and Pacific Ocean.
– He acted in Chinese movies: “Ex Files 2: The Backup Strikes Back” (2015), “Oh My God” (2015), “Kung Fu Yoga” (2017), “The Founding of an Army” (2017), “The Island” (2018)
– He acted in the Chinese dramas: “The Mystic Nine” (2016), “Operation Love” (2017), “The Golden Eyes” (2019), “Empress of the Ming” (2019)
– Starting around 2017, Lay began focusing on his solo career in China, where he has a successful career as an actor, model, and singer.
– He released his first album ‘LAY 02 SHEEP’ on October 7, 2017 and all the songs were either written or composed by him.
– Lay released his first mini album ‘Lose Control’ on October 28, 2016, and all the songs were written and composed by him.
– Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Beijing made a wax figure of him in modern clothes and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Shanghai also made a wax figure of him, but styled him after the character Er Yue Hong that he played in the drama “The Mystic Nine” (his first leading drama).
– Lay said he would date himself if he was a girl.
– Lay was the MC of Idol Producer.
– He was a mentor in the reality show “Rave Now” (2018).
– Lay is ranked 18th on TC Candler “The 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2018”.
– In December 2020, he founded his own entertainment company, Changsha Chromosome Entertainment.
– He made a comeback with EXO in June 2021 with EXO’s mini-album Don’t Fight The Feeling.
– On April 8, 2022 Lay announced he has left SM Ent. after the conclusion of his 10-year contract with the company. No details regarding his possible future activities as an EXO member have been given.
– As of 2025, he has been removed as a member of EXO on SM’s official website. However, no official statement has been made regarding his departure. Previously, Lay revealed that he was in talks with SM Entertainment to resume group activities. (Source)
– In October 2025, Lay was officially confirmed to participate in EXO’s upcoming group activities, officially marking the end of his hiatus.
– Lay’s ideal type is someone who is cute and filial.
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