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D.O.
Photograph of Doh Kyung-soo at a press conference for his film, Underdog.
D.O. in January 2019
Born
Doh Kyung-soo

(1993-01-12) January 12, 1993 (age 31)
Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
Education Kyung Hee Cyber University
Occupation
  • Singer
  • actor
Musical career
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2012–present
Labels
  • SM
  • Company SooSoo
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Stage name
Hangul
Signature
DO signature.png

Doh Kyung-soo (Hangul: 도경수; born January 12, 1993), also professionally known as D.O. (Hangul: 디오), is a South Korean singer and actor, best known as a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy group Exo.

Apart from his group's activities, D.O. has starred in various television dramas and movies such as Pure Love (2016), My Annoying Brother (2016), Be Positive (2016), Room No.7 (2017), 100 Days My Prince (2018), Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, Swing Kids (2018), Bad Prosecutor (2022), and The Moon (2023). In 2021, he debuted as a soloist with his first extended play, Empathy. In addition, D.O. was selected by the Korean Film Council as one of the 200 Korean actors that best represent the present and future of Korea's movie scene.

Life and career

1993–2015: Early life and career beginnings

D.O. was born on January 12, 1993, in Nonhyeon-dong of Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in Ilsandong-gu of Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. He went to Goyang Poongsan Elementary School, Baekshin Middle School, and Baekseok High School. He has an older brother who is three years older than him. D.O. began singing in primary school and was an avid participant in local singing competitions throughout his high school career. After winning one of the competitions, he was advised to audition for SM Entertainment. He performed Na Yoon-kwon's "Anticipation" and Brown Eyed Soul's "My Story" at his audition. D.O. subsequently became a trainee during his last two years of high school.

D.O. of EXO in KPOP World Festival
D.O. in October 2013

D.O. was formally introduced as the eighth member of Exo on January 30, 2012, with the release of the Korean version of the single "What Is Love", sung by D.O. and Baekhyun. The group debuted on April 8 with the extended play Mama. In July 2013, he was featured in the song "Goodbye Summer" from f(x)'s second studio album Pink Tape. In September 2014, D.O. made his acting debut with a supporting role in the movie Cart, playing a high school student and son of a grocery store worker and union member (played by Yum Jung-ah). The movie premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival. He also released an original soundtrack titled "Crying Out" for the movie.

Later in 2014, D.O. made his small screen debut playing a supporting role in the SBS drama It's Okay, That's Love, which starred Gong Hyo-jin and Jo In-sung. D.O. was praised by film critic Heo Ji-woong for his performance in the series, and was later nominated for the Best New Actor award at the 51st Baeksang Arts Awards. In June 2015, D.O. featured in KBS' drama Hello Monster, playing a psychopath. In November 2015, D.O. was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor award at the 52nd Grand Bell Awards for his role as Tae-young in Cart.

2016–2020: Lead roles, recognition and military service

In January 2016, D.O. was announced as one of the cast of voice actors for the feature-length animated film Underdog, which premiered in 2019. He voiced Moongchi, a stray dog who is separated from his owner. In February 2016, he collaborated with Yoo Young-jin on a duet titled "Tell Me (What Is Love)" for SM Station. He had previously performed a short version of the song as a solo performance throughout Exo's first concert tour. Later in February, D.O. starred as the male lead alongside actress Kim So-hyun in the romantic film Pure Love. In October 2016, D.O. starred alongside Chae Seo-jin in the web drama Be Positive. The series became the most watched Korean web drama of all time. In November 2016, D.O. starred alongside Jo Jung-suk and Park Shin-hye in the film My Annoying Brother, playing a national level Judo athlete. D.O. and Jo Jung-suk also recorded the ending theme song, titled "Don't Worry", for the movie. D.O. was awarded the Blue Dragon Film Awards Best New Actor award a year later for his performance in the film.

171118 영화 7호실 무대인사 (디오) 3
D.O. at a press conference for Room No.7 in November 2017

In 2017, D.O. starred in the comedy thriller film Room No.7. The same year, he played a supporting role in Kim Yong-hwa's film Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds, a blockbuster adaptation of the webtoon of the same name, about a court in the afterlife where the deceased undergo multiple trials for 49 days. In 2018, D.O. starred in Swing Kids, a film set in a prison camp in South Korea during the Korean War. He plays a North Korean soldier who falls in love with tap dancing in the midst of all the chaos. Later that year, he was cast in his first small-screen leading role, playing a crown prince in 100 Days My Prince. The series was a commercial success, becoming the fifth highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history and in 2020, became the first CJ ENM drama to be broadcast in Japan's public television channel, NHK General TV. In December 2017, D.O. attended the Macau International Film Festival alongside director Choi Dong-hoon as a Korean public relations ambassador.

Later in May, he announced his upcoming enlistment for South Korea's mandatory military service by posting a handwritten letter on Exo's official fan club. He enlisted as an active duty soldier on July 1, 2019, and served at the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division (Fierce Tiger Division) as a food handler (kitchen police). On the same day, he released the single "That's Okay", a song that he co-wrote, through the SM Station project. In 2020, D.O. made his musical theater debut in a rerun of the original military musical Return: The Promise of the Day, playing the role of Seungho.

2021–present: Return to acting, solo debut and departure from SM Entertainment

In October 2020, prior his discharge, he was announced to be cast in Kim Yong-hwa's next film, The Moon, where he will play the lead role of Hwang Seon-woo, an astronaut left in space due to an unforeseen accident. The filming began in June 2021 and concluded on October 12, 2021. The film was released in August 2023.

In February 2021, he was announced to have been cast as the male lead in Secret, a South Korean remake of the 2007 Taiwanese film of the same name. His role in the movie is a student who plays the piano. The filming began in November 2021 and cranked up in January 2022.

In March 2021, Kyung-soo was selected as one of the 200 actors for "The Actor is Present" campaign by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) to represent the past and present of the Korean Cinema. His profile was unveiled in May 2021.

On June 25, 2021, SM Entertainment announced that D.O. would release his first solo album at the end of July 2021. His first extended play Empathy was released on July 26, along with its lead single "Rose". D.O. had participated in writing the lyrics for his lead single, "Rose" and "I'm Fine." The album topped the Gaon Album Chart.

In 2022, Doh Kyung-soo was announced as the next actor to feature in the 2-episode travel show by Discovery Channel Korea, Off The Grid, where he took a 3 days, 2 nights solo roadtrip to Namhae and the southern side of South Korea. His episodes aired in May 2022.

D.O. made his return to the small screen with KBS2's Wed-Thurs drama series, Bad Prosecutor in October 2022, where he played the lead role of Jin Jung, a delinquent prosecutor who fights for justice. He earned Top Excellence Award (Actor) in the 2022 KBS Drama Award for his performance.

In 2023, D.O. appeared in SBS's variety show, No Math School Trip by former director of Running Man, Choi Bo-pil, along with Zico, Crush, Choi Jung-hoon, Lee Yong-jin, and Yang Se-chan. On September 1, SM announced that D.O. will release his second extended play, Expectation, on September 18.

On October 18, 2023, it was announced that D.O. will be leaving SM Entertainment and joining a new agency, Company SooSoo, established by his long-time manager Nam Kyung-soo for his personal activities. However, he will continue his activities as EXO's member with SM Entertainment.

Discography

Extended plays

List of EPs, showing selected details, selected chart positions, and sales figures
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
KOR
JPN
Oricon
JPN
Hot
Empathy 1 4 10
  • KOR: 380,178
  • CHN: 84,770 (Dig.)
  • JPN: 26,590 (Phy.)
  • KMCA: Platinum
Expectation
  • Released: September 18, 2023
  • Label: SM Entertainment, Kakao
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
3 8 7
  • KOR: 211,630
  • JPN: 8,440 (Phy.)

Singles

List of singles, showing chart positions, year released, sales figures and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(DL)
Album
KOR
Circle
KOR
Hot
US
World
As lead artist
"That's Okay" 2019 12 19 11 N/A SM Station Season 3
"Rose" 2021 33 91 16 Empathy
"I Do" (별 떨어진다) 2023 28 11 Expectation
"Somebody" 47
Collaborations
"Tell Me (What Is Love)"
(with Yoo Young-jin)
2016 12 N/A 2
  • KOR: 145,281
S.M. Station Season 1
As featured artist
"Goodbye Summer"
(f(x) featuring D.O.)
2013 7 26
  • KOR: 292,583
Pink Tape
Soundtrack appearances
"Dear My Family"
(with SM Town)
2012 N/A I AM. OST
"Scream" 2014 22 N/A
  • KOR: 79,688
Cart OST
"Don't Worry"
(with Jo Jung-suk)
2016 100
  • KOR: 19,498
My Annoying Brother OST
"Bite" 2022 N/A Bad Prosecutor OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
Note: K-pop Hot 100 was introduced in August 2011, discontinued in July 2014 and was re-established on December 30, 2017.

Other songs

List of songs, showing chart positions, year released, sales figures and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales
(DL)
Album
KOR
Circle
KOR
Hot
"Tell Me What Is Love" 2014 44
  • KOR: 29,668
Exology Chapter 1: The Lost Planet
"For Life" (English version) 2019 N/A Exo Planet 4 - The EℓyXiOn (dot)
"I'm Gonna Love You"
(featuring Wonstein)
2021 99 79 Empathy
"My Love" 117
"It's Love" (다시, 사랑이야) 127
"I'm Fine" 129
"Dad" (나의 아버지) 139
"Rose" (English version) 196
"Wonder" (기적) 2023 192 Expectation
"Ordinary Days" (내일의 우리) 159
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Songwriting

All credits are adapted from KOMCA's database, unless cited otherwise.

Song Year Artist Album Credits
"That's Okay" 2019 D.O. SM Station Season 3 Co-writer
"Rose" 2021 Empathy
"I'm Fine"

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 Cart Choi Tae-young
2016 Pure Love Park Hyeong-jun (Beom-sil)
My Annoying Brother Go Doo-young
2017 Room No.7 Lee Tae-jung
Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds Private Won Dong-yeon
2018 Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days
Swing Kids Roh Ki-soo
2019 Underdog Moong-chi Voice
2023 The Moon Hwang Seon-woo
0TBA Secret: Untold Melody Yoo-joon

Television series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 To the Beautiful You Himself Cameo (Episode 2)
2014 It's Okay, That's Love Han Kang-woo
2015 Hello Monster teenage Lee Joon-young
2018 100 Days My Prince Na Won-deuk / Lee Yul
2019 Dear My Room Cameo (Episode 11)
2022 Bad Prosecutor Jin Jung

Television shows

Year Title Role Ref.
2022 Off The Grid Cast member
2023 No Math School Trip
GBRB: Reap What You Sow

Web series

Year Title Role Ref.
2015 Exo Next Door Fictionalised version of himself
2016 Be Positive Kim Hwan-dong

Music videos

Year Title Ref.
2012 "Dear My Family" (as part of SM Town)
2014 "I'm Your Girl" (Remake)
"Scream"
2016 "Tell Me (What is Love)"
"Don't Worry" with Jo Jung-suk
2017 "Dear My Family (Live Concert Ver.)" (as part of SM Town)
2021 "Rose"
2023 "Hope from Kwangya" (as part of SM Town)
2023 "Somebody"

Theater

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Return: The Promise of the Day Kim Seung-ho Army musical

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee/work Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2014 Best New Actor It's Okay, That's Love Won
Asia Artist Awards 2017 Popularity Award – Actor Doh Kyung-soo Won
Asian Film Awards 2015 Best Newcomer Cart Nominated
Asian Pop Music Awards 2021 Best Male Artist (Overseas) D.O. Nominated
People's Choice Award (Overseas) Empathy 4th Place
2022 People's Choice Award (Overseas) "Bite" 3rd place
Baeksang Arts Awards 2015 Best New Actor – Television It's Okay, That's Love Nominated
2016 Most Popular Actor – Film Pure Love Won
2017 Best New Actor – Film My Annoying Brother Nominated
Most Popular Actor – Film Won
2019 Most Popular Actor 100 Days My Prince Won
Blue Dragon Film Awards 2017 Best New Actor My Annoying Brother Won
2023 Best Actor The Moon Nominated
Blue Dragon Series Awards 2023 Best Actor Bad Prosecutor Nominated
Brand of the Year Award 2019 Best Male Acting Idol Doh Kyung-soo Won
Buil Film Awards 2018 Popular Star Award Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days Won
2019 Swing Kids Won
2023 The Moon Won
Best Actor Nominated
Dong-A.com's Pick 2018 Next Generation Noteworthy Actor Doh Kyung-soo Won
DFX Daejeon Special FX Festival Awards 2023 Acting Award The Moon Won
Director's Cut Awards 2018 Best New Actor Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days Won
Gaon Chart Music Awards 2021 Mubeat Global Choice Award D.O. Nominated
Golden Disc Awards 2022 Album Bonsang Empathy Nominated
Most Popular Artist Award D.O. Nominated
Grand Bell Awards 2015 Best Supporting Actor Cart Nominated
Popularity Award Nominated
2023 Best Actor The Moon Nominated
Hanteo Music Awards 2021 Artist Award - Male Solo D.O. Won
Indonesian Hallyu Fans Choice Awards 2021 Solo Song of the Year "Rose" Won
JIMFF Awards 2017 Star Award My Annoying Brother Won
KBS Drama Awards 2022 Best Couple Award Doh Kyung-soo (with Lee Se-hee)
Bad Prosecutor
Won
Popularity Award, Actor Bad Prosecutor Won
Top Excellence Award, Actor Won
Korean Film Shining Star Awards 2017 Newcomer Award (Film) My Annoying Brother Won
Marie Claire Asia Star Awards 2023 Asia Wide Award The Moon Won
Max Movie Awards 2015 Best New Actor Cart Nominated
2016 Rising Star Award Doh Kyung-soo Won
Mnet Asian Music Awards 2021 Best Male Artist D.O. Nominated
The Seoul Awards 2018 Popularity Actor Award Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days Won
Seoul International Youth Film Festival 2014 Best Young Actor It's Okay, That's Love Won
Seoul Music Awards 2022 Bonsang Award Empathy Nominated
K-wave Special Award D.O. Nominated
Popularity Award Nominated
Soompi Awards 2019 Actor of the Year 100 Days My Prince Won
Best Couple Doh Kyung-soo (with Nam Ji-hyun)
100 Days My Prince
Won

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: D.O. para niños

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