EXO Kai’s father loses battle to chronic illness

​S.M. Entertainment confirmed today (May 8) that EXO’s Kai's father passed away yesterday after losing his battle with a chronic illness.

“Kai is deeply saddened by his father’s sudden departure,” a statement read, sharing that the other EXO members and label’s staff will be paying their last respects to Kai’s father in the coming days.

The label confirmed that Kai is currently at the funeral home and has expressed his wish for a quiet funeral with only his family members and close friends to be present. They also asked the public to be considerate towards Kai's family as they mourn the loss of their family member.

Kai, who is currently filming drama The Miracle We Met alongside Kim Myung Min, Kim Hyun Joo and Ra Mi Ran, will be adjusting his filming schedule following his father’s departure.

In previous interviews, Kai let on that his original dream was not to become an idol, but that his father was the one who encouraged him to audition for S.M., and that his chance to audition was also given to him after his father sent his dance tapes to the label.

Back then, he said that he faced many obstacles but that his father always believed in him, and that his father reminded him that he “knew [he was] going to do well (because) objectively, [he] danced really well even when [he was] a child.”