Zhang Yixing, also known by his stage name Lay Zhang, has done it all. He's found success in many fields: as a singer-songwriter, an actor, a dancer, a producer, and also a CEO—all by his 30th birthday. So what does the artist consider his biggest career milestone or highlight? "I think I had two transitions [in life]. One is being part of EXO, the second one is [going] back to the Chinese market to try some stuff. Let's see what's going to be the third!" Lay said smilingly, in an exclusive interview with Cosmopolitan Philippines.
The multi-hyphenate fulfilled his long-held promise to his Filipino fans and returned to the country after a 10-year wait. Lucky Filo XBACKs and EXO-Ls gathered at Teatrino Promenade on Monday, December 4 for a memorable afternoon. Walking onstage to a massive round of applause and near-deafening screams, he calmly sat and played a two-song set featuring acoustic versions of his hit songs "Boom" and "Right Back." Lay was visibly surprised and touched when fans sang along with him to both songs!
Check out our recap of his fan meeting and listening party here:
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Lay also surprised fans at the venue with a sneak peek at two of his unreleased tracks "Psychic" and "Step," making the PH crowd the lucky *first listeners*. Music has been such a big part of Lay's life and career, so we knew we had to ask him to talk more about it.
Lay Zhang's Exclusive Interview with Cosmopolitan Philippines
Music has been a big part of your life. Looking back at your 2012 debut with “MAMA”, to your 2016 official solo debut "What U Need?”, to your most recent 2023 release “Right Back,” how would you describe your journey to finding Lay Zhang’s sound?
"I think my music career is really interesting. I started from one of the biggest K-pop bands, EXO, and then came to the Chinese market and got a little bit of achievement (Editor's note: this is definitely an understatement!). Then [I now] aim for the global market, so...I think just dream big, go for it. And try to work hard, let's see what's going to happen."
Share with us the production process behind a Lay Zhang album. Do you think of the melody first, or the lyrics? How do you visualize the MV, and where do you draw inspiration from?
"Every time when I make music, I used to make the beat first. So then we can cook some melody on top of it. That's my habit! And I think the music video is really important. If you feel something, [and] you cannot use music to make people understand what you want to explain or express, you can use visuals specifically to describe your thoughts or pictures, to let the audience know."
Krump specifically is one of your passions. Why is it important for you to promote different styles of dance to the younger generation? And will we get to see more of dancer Lay in the future?
"Yeah, for sure! And I think that if you feel that the gym is boring, you can just try to dance. Dance is just like exercise, right? So you can dance whatever you want. Also, in dance we have a lot of genres. You can choose: you can do Popping, or choreography, or Krump, or Locking, or anything you want. Maybe in the future you will see more of my dance."
Having been in the industry for over a decade, what is an important life lesson you’ve learned that you always try to teach your students?
"Teach my students? Oh my gosh. Just keep the passion, and keep what you love, just keep the expectations. Try to work hard. That's it."
You talk a lot about the need to find "balance." How do you find balance in your daily life? Do you separate Lay Zhang the artist from Zhang Yixing the person?
"So, finding balance is a little bit difficult for me because life is work, [and] work is life. So maybe, at some moment in the future, I will figure it out." *laughs*
You will be releasing your first full-length English album in 2024. What was the reason behind your decision, and how did you choose which artist to collaborate with?
"I think if [you're] collaborating with any good artist, first you have to look at the personality. Then you have to listen to the beat [and] the tracks; if we can find the right person, the right track, why not? The reason [for an English album]? I think it's time to play and to try to combine Eastern culture and Western culture together and make something fresh and different."
You’ve previously worked with Jackie Chan in the 2017 film Kung Fu Yoga. What was it like working with him again on Netflix’s The Legend?
"The Legend? It will be released maybe in February..." and this is where Lay's adorable side appears. After confirming the date with his team ("February 10, really? Are you sure? I didn't get the news! Oh yeah, they're working on it. I'm not lying to you. So it's possible!"), we got back on track with the interview.
"I play the role in this movie of the general. Working with Jackie Chan is really good. He is very funny, he also is my big brother and a good teacher. He taught me a lot of good things, and he has his own talent. He can use a common item to be magic. If you give Jackie the stick, he will change the stick into a wand."
You also got to record an OST for the movie The Legend—what was that like, and is that something you’d like to do again in the future? What type of show or movie would you like to do next?
"If I can get the opportunity [to record another OST], I would do it. [And] I want to play...What kind of role? I'm open for any role. It's different because if you're being a singer you have to express yourself. But if you're being the actor you have to demolish yourself. You have to empty yourself and involve the character."
This is for fans who need your advice: Was there ever a moment when you almost gave up on a dream? What happened, and how did you motivate yourself when you felt like giving up?
"My fans need my advice? Oh my gosh. Because why I cannot give up my dream is because my fans give me a lot of support and love, I don't want to make them disappointed. But if my fans need my suggestion, I just want to say: Because of you guys I want to be the good Lay, good Zhang Yixing. I also hope you guys—because of me—can be better yourself."
Filo XBACKs and EXO-Ls, check out the video version of this exclusive interview below! *winks*
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