Legendary SM Idol Finally Finds Out The Meaning Of His Name After 15 Years

In a recent episode of tvN’s You Quiz on the Block, the director of SM’s rookie development center appeared and shared many stories regarding the process of creating idols.

In particular, she revealed the official meaning behind EXO Kai‘s stage name for the first time in 15 years.

유퀴즈에서 15년만에 밝혀진 엑소 카이 예명 뜻하늘이 내려준 아이 스‘카이’래수만할배가 열 개 한자로 지은 게 아니었다고ㅁㅊ 나도 충격인데 카이도 충격먹음 지금 pic.twitter.com/ibwqYYXP7s

— 낭만 (@y0urdelight) March 4, 2026

He was such a cool, hardworking person, so it felt like he was a child sent from above. So we decided to take the word ‘Sky’ and take out the ’S’ and just make it ‘Kai.’

— SM rookie development center director

During the interview with Kai, he was also shocked at the meaning behind his name.

Oh…I had no idea. They don’t tell us these things. I’m so touched. I’ve found out about this 15 years after my debut. I was Sky?! I had no idea.

— Kai

Fans were also shocked to finally understand the meaning of his name.

the meaning of KAI’s stage name was revealed after 15 years lol. he’s “a child sent from the sky”. so it’s S“KAI”. it turns out Lee Soo-man didn't name him after the chinese character for “to open”(開) jongin was shocked too😭pic.twitter.com/vACCI5FTeI

— klea (@kaidiction) March 4, 2026

What theeee….we learn about something wrong even after 15 years hahaha https://t.co/mcgo0Y2Uap

— Fuzzy_Aeri (@elfuzzb2uty) March 4, 2026

everyday you learn something new….. https://t.co/C8rncg68o2

— mitch ෆ ex9, always (@brandnewsekai) March 5, 2026