Renowned SM Idol Discovers the Significance of His Name After 15 Years

EXO Kai just found out the real meaning behind his stage name – 15 years late!

The director of SM’s rookie development center revealed on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block that Kai’s name didn’t come from the Chinese character “to open” (開), as many believed. Instead, it’s from the word “Sky.”

“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

Kai himself was shocked by the news during the interview.

“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 also reacted quickly, surprised the story was kept secret for so long.

“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”
— @kaidiction

“What theeee….we learn about something wrong even after 15 years hahaha”
— @elfuzzb2uty

“everyday you learn something new…..”
— @brandnewsekai

This fresh reveal is shaking up the long-held assumptions about EXO’s legendary member.

Kai shocked on You Quiz on the Block

Kai reacting to the reveal

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

— 낭만 (@y0urdelight) March 4, 2026

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 toopic.twitter.com/vACCI5FTeI

— klea (@kaidiction) March 4, 2026