Doh Kyung Soo
Info
🙂 Native Name: 도경수
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: January 12, 1993
🏠 Birth Place: Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
📏 Height: 173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
💍 Spouse: Unmarried
👶 Children: None
Biography
Doh Kyung Soo, widely recognized by his stage name D.O., was born on January 12, 1993, in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. From a young age, he displayed a keen interest in singing, often participating in local competitions during his school years. In 2010, he was cast by SM Entertainment after a successful audition and trained as both a vocalist and performer. Just two years later, he debuted as a main vocalist of the globally successful K-pop group EXO in 2012, quickly earning attention for his rich, soulful voice and exceptional emotional control.
As a member of EXO, D.O. contributed to numerous hit songs like Growl, Call Me Baby, and Love Shot. His vocal ability became one of the group’s defining characteristics, often praised for its clarity and depth. However, D.O.’s ambitions extended beyond the music stage. In 2014, he made his acting debut in the film Cart and the drama It’s Okay, That’s Love, where his performance as a high school student with schizophrenia was critically acclaimed. This marked the beginning of his dual career as a respected idol and actor, earning praise from both the K-pop and film industries.
D.O. continued to build his filmography with roles in My Annoying Brother, Room No. 7, and the popular fantasy epic Along with the Gods series. His lead role in the 2018 historical drama 100 Days My Prince became a massive success, further proving his range and popularity as a lead actor. In 2021, after completing his mandatory military service, he returned to the spotlight with his solo debut mini-album Empathy, which showcased his softer, acoustic musical side and reached No.1 on iTunes in over 50 countries.
Despite his fame, Doh Kyung Soo is known for being humble, introverted, and highly dedicated to his craft. He prefers a low-profile lifestyle and rarely appears on variety shows, allowing his performances to speak for themselves. As of 2025, he remains unmarried and does not have children. Balancing a successful music career with acclaimed acting projects, D.O. continues to be one of the few K-pop idols equally respected in both the music and film industries, solidifying his legacy as a true multi-hyphenate artist.
Hobbies
Cooking – D.O. is well known among EXO members for his love of cooking. He often experiments with recipes and even dreams of opening his own restaurant someday.
Watching Movies – A dedicated cinephile, he spends much of his downtime watching a wide range of films, which also inspires his acting craft.
Listening to Ballads – He enjoys listening to mellow and emotional ballads, which align with his personal taste and vocal style.
Exercising Alone – D.O. prefers quiet, solitary workouts over gym sessions with others, focusing on light routines and core strength.
Collecting Kitchen Tools – He’s fascinated by kitchen gadgets and collects high-quality utensils, sometimes gifting them to friends.
Interests
Acting and Film Production – Beyond acting, D.O. is deeply interested in how movies are made, including directing and cinematography.
Minimalist Living – He lives a minimalist lifestyle, keeping his space clean, neutral, and functional, which he says helps clear his mind.
Vocal Technique Training – Even as a lead vocalist, he constantly studies vocal techniques and enjoys refining his breath control and expression.
Food & Culinary Culture – He’s intrigued by international cuisines and often tries different restaurants when traveling or filming abroad.
Books on Psychology – D.O. has shown interest in understanding human behavior and occasionally reads books on psychology and self-awareness.
Facts
Real Name is Doh Kyung Soo – Unlike many idols, he uses his real name for acting, separating it from his EXO stage persona, D.O.
Trained for 2 Years Before Debut – He was scouted in 2010 and trained for two years before debuting with EXO in 2012.
Fluent in Japanese – He studied Japanese to better interact with fans and for overseas schedules, showing strong linguistic ability.
Served in the South Korean Military (2021) – He quietly enlisted in July 2019 and was praised for his humble attitude and discipline.
Solo Album Empathy Reached Global Charts – His 2021 debut solo album charted No.1 in over 50 countries on iTunes, receiving critical acclaim.
Secrets
Once Dreamed of Being a Chef – Before joining SM Entertainment, he considered attending culinary school to become a professional chef.
He Writes Short Stories – He occasionally writes short stories and scenarios but keeps them private, using them as creative outlets.
Afraid of Oversharing – D.O. is known for being extremely private and fears accidentally revealing too much about his personal life.
Avoids Eye Contact on Stage – Despite his confident vocals, he sometimes avoids direct eye contact with fans during performances due to shyness.
Loves to Walk in the Rain – He has mentioned that he enjoys walking in the rain alone, finding it peaceful and inspiring.
Funny Things
Very Quiet but Hilarious When He Speaks – Known for his quiet demeanor, when he does speak, his blunt and dry humor surprises everyone.
Once Mistook Onion Powder for Sugar – While cooking for the group, he once used onion powder instead of sugar in a dessert—everyone was confused.
Deadpan Facial Reactions – His famous “unbothered” expressions during chaotic EXO interviews have become viral memes.
Scared by Balloons – He once flinched and jumped when a balloon popped during a fan event, making everyone laugh.
Tried to Speak Spanish but Forgot Mid-Sentence – During a Latin American concert, he greeted fans in Spanish but blanked out halfway and just smiled adorably.
Fears
Letting Fans Down – D.O. takes his responsibilities very seriously and fears disappointing EXO-Ls with a bad performance or canceled schedule.
Losing His Voice – As a vocalist, his biggest fear is injuring his vocal cords or losing his ability to sing long-term.
Public Speaking – Despite being a performer, he’s anxious about unscripted public speaking and avoids it when possible.
Being Misjudged – His quiet nature sometimes leads to misunderstandings, which he fears may give off the wrong impression.
Overexposure in the Media – He prefers low visibility and fears that constant media attention might take away his personal peace and identity.
News
🎬 1. Lead Role in Secret: Untold Melody (2025)
Doh Kyung Soo stars as Yu-jun in the highly anticipated fantasy romance film Secret: Untold Melody, a Korean remake of the 2007 Taiwanese film Secret. The movie, released on January 27, 2025, showcases D.O.’s portrayal of a piano prodigy entangled in a mysterious love story.
🎤 2. Release of Third EP Blossom and Solo Tour
On May 7, 2024, D.O. released his third solo EP titled Blossom, marking his first comeback after departing from SM Entertainment. The album, featuring tracks like “Mars” and “Popcorn,” was well-received by fans. Following the release, he embarked on his first solo Asia fan concert tour, “BLOOM,” starting in Seoul and covering multiple cities across Asia.
🎶 3. Collaboration on “Small Girl” with Lee Young-ji
In June 2024, D.O. collaborated with rapper Lee Young-ji on the single “Small Girl,” featured in her debut EP 16 Fantasy. The song topped the South Korean Circle Digital Chart and peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Global 200, highlighting D.O.’s versatility and appeal in diverse musical genres.
📺 4. Upcoming Drama The Manipulated Set for 2025
D.O. is set to star alongside Ji Chang Wook in the upcoming revenge thriller drama The Manipulated, scheduled for release in 2025. The series delves into a twisted tale of manipulation and revenge, with D.O. playing a pivotal role that adds depth to his acting portfolio.
💖 5. Fans Donate to Pediatric Cancer Foundation on His Birthday
On January 12, 2024, in celebration of D.O.’s birthday, his fan club donated 12 million won (approximately $9,135) to the Korea Pediatric Cancer Foundation. This generous act supported children with cancer and other rare diseases, reflecting the positive influence D.O. has on his fans and their commitment to meaningful causes.
Movies
Music / OST
Doh Kyung Soo (D.O.): A Vocal Powerhouse Beyond the Idol Label
Doh Kyung Soo, better known by his stage name D.O., is not only a core member of K-pop supergroup EXO, but also a critically acclaimed solo artist whose music career reflects depth, vocal finesse, and emotional storytelling. His distinctive warm, resonant voice has consistently stood out in the saturated K-pop scene, earning him recognition as one of South Korea’s most respected vocalists.
🌟 Beginnings with EXO
D.O. debuted as the main vocalist of EXO in April 2012 under SM Entertainment. Known for his precise technique and emotional delivery, he quickly gained attention through tracks like Growl, Miracles in December, and Love Shot. His ability to convey emotion through subtle vocal textures has often been praised by critics and vocal coaches alike. Within EXO, he contributed to sub-units and special releases, as well as Japanese and Mandarin albums, demonstrating linguistic and stylistic versatility.
🎤 Solo Discography and Milestones
D.O. made his official solo debut in July 2021 with the mini-album Empathy, featuring eight tracks, including the title song Rose. The album showcased an acoustic-pop style, a sharp contrast to the high-energy dance tracks associated with EXO. Empathy topped the iTunes Top Albums chart in over 60 countries and debuted at No. 1 on the Gaon Album Chart in South Korea. The success of Empathy established D.O. as a singer-songwriter with artistic integrity.
In May 2024, D.O. released his third EP titled Blossom, his first project after leaving SM Entertainment and signing with Company SooSoo. The album included tracks such as Mars and Popcorn, praised for their mature lyrical themes and clean instrumentation. His accompanying solo tour “BLOOM” spanned several Asian cities, selling out venues in Seoul, Bangkok, and Manila, solidifying his status as a solo artist with global reach.
🤝 Collaborations and Chart Success
D.O.’s 2024 collaboration with rapper Lee Young-ji on the track Small Girl topped the South Korean Circle Digital Chart and peaked at #38 on the Billboard Global 200, showcasing his adaptability in cross-genre music. This collaboration helped him reach younger audiences and expanded his presence on global streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. As of 2025, his solo tracks have accumulated hundreds of millions of streams worldwide.
🎙️ Musical Style and Influence
D.O.’s solo work is marked by a minimalist, acoustic, and ballad-focused sound, often exploring themes of love, memory, and self-reflection. His vocal style is rooted in emotion rather than showy technique, making him a favorite among fans seeking authenticity. Influenced by artists like John Mayer and Park Hyo Shin, D.O. continues to carve a unique space between K-pop and singer-songwriter genres.
In summary, D.O.’s music career reflects his growth from an idol vocalist to a mature solo artist. With consistent chart performance, successful tours, and an ever-evolving sound, he proves that artistry and popularity can go hand in hand. His ability to stay relevant while staying true to his musical identity sets him apart in Korea’s competitive music industry.
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