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 new era with Kai as global ambassador for the tradition high-end brand.
He signs up with the likes of the following list of elite athletes and artists who have represented the brand name:
- Novak Djokovic, winner of 24 Grand Slam men’s singles titles
- Venus Williams, five-time Wimbledon singles champ and winner of 7 Grand Slam titles
- Wang Yibo, member of South Korean-Chinese band UNIQ
- Adrien Brody, two-time Academy Award winner
LACOSTE was established in 1923 by René Lacoste, a tennis gamer who would go on to win 7 Grand Slam titles and make the nickname “the crocodile” (the brand name’s logo design) for his perseverance on the court.
When the brand revealed it had picked the K-pop star as ambassador, it stated: “The tenacity and focus that Kai reveals towards his objectives, not to mention his ability to showcase both power and restraint on phase, closely look like the alligator, which is the sign of our brand name. Kai was chosen as our brand name ambassador since his mindset as an artist aligned with creator Ren Lacoste’s viewpoints of endurance, desire to pursue obstacles, and design.”
Kai becomes part of the South Korean sensation band EXO, associated for leading the way for K-pop beyond South Korea’s borders. Chart-topping hits. Sold-out trips. Awards.
However beyond their success and fashion week looks, the members’ backgrounds reveal 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 Performing (withdrew), Bachelor’s degree in Culture and Arts Business Administration, Master’s degree in Culture Management
Fun fact: Suho’s father is a teacher 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 procedure of finishing his doctorate at Hoseo University. His degree is unidentified, however he is not a part of the Contemporary/Practical Music department.
Lay
University: None
Degree: None
Lay, also known as Zhang Yixing, did not participate in any college institute. He went to the Hunan Typical University High School in China, where he was acknowledged as an impressive trainee.
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 Business Administration (MBA) in Advertising 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 program Chanyeol is pursuing at Inha University is unknown. He needed to put his education on hold to complete his mandatory military service in 2021.
D.O.
University: None
Degree: None
D.O., also referred to as Doh Kyung-soo, completed his education just through high school, as he wished to concentrate on singing and acting early in his career. He studied at Goyang Poongsan Elementary School, Baekshin Intermediate School, and Baekseok High School.
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 becomes part of a YouTube channel called “Jeongwaja (전과자),” a series that showcases the host attending various university programs to better understand what you’ll discover in them.
Sehun
University: None
Degree: None
Sehun finished from the School of Carrying Out Arts Seoul (SOPA), one of Seoul’s most distinguished art schools. He did not go to university due to his hectic schedule.
Education of former 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 scouted in the streets of Myeong-dong by SM Entertainment.
Tao
University: None
Degree: None
While he might not have attended university, Tao participated in prestigious schools, such as Humen Centre Main School, Qingdao Intermediate School, and Qingdao Foreign Service Vocational School.