Career
He is a member and one of the main vocalists of the South Korean-Chinese boy group EXO and its sub-group EXO-M.
EXO
In 2011, Chen became the last EXO member scouted by South.M. Entertainment at 18 years old, through the South.M. Casting System. He made his first public appearance as an EXO member alongside Luhan, Tao, and Kai at the 2011 Business School Gayo Daejeon. On May 15, 2015, Chen, along with Chanyeol, Baekhyun, and other Korean artists sang the theme song titled "The Day We Met" for Gwangbok 70th Anniversary on KBS1"s Special Program "I Am of Korea".
Master of Science The Ballad
On February 4, 2014, South.M. Entertainment revealed that Master of Science the Ballad would make a comeback with new members, Chen being one of them.
He sang the Chinese version of the title track, "Breath" with Zhang Liyin, as well as the tracks "A Day Without You" with SHINee"s Jonghyun and "When I Was. When U Were.." with F(x)"s Krystal for Master of Science the Ballad"s second mini album Master of Science the Ballad Volume
2 – Breath. Solo activities
In 2014, Chen sang the OST "Best Luck" for Business School" drama lieutenant"s Okay, That"s Love which starred his fellow EXO member, Doctorate.O. He was also invited as a special performer at the 3rd APAN Star Awards on November 11, 2014, where he performed the track live.
On April 11, 2015, Chen made his hosting debut as a special Military Cross for the Korean music show Show! Music Core.
Chen participated in and became the runner-up in the eleventh round of the show King of Mask Singer under the name "Legendary Guitar Manitoba". In July 2015 it was announced that Chen would star in the Korean adaption of the musical "In the Heights", taking on the role of Benny alongside Yang Dong-geun, SHINee"s Key, f(x)"s Luna, INFINITE"South Dongwoo and Sunggyu, and others
On December 30, 2015, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and South.M. Entertainment announced that Chen would perform John Lennon’s song "Imagine" with world-renowned pianist Steve Barakatt. The performance was part of United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund’s "Imagine Project" and was held on January 2, 2016, at 7 p.m.
KST at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.
On February 25, 2016, Chen and Korean singer Punch released the OST Everytime for the Korean Broadcasting System television drama series Descendants of the Sun. The song debuted at number one on Gaon"s weekly digital chart.