EXO member Lay Zhang has officially become a college student at 35 years old. The singer and actor shared the news on October 13, 2026, telling followers he passed the TOEFL exam and is now studying film in Los Angeles. The move comes 14 years after his debut with EXO and fulfills a dream he had put aside as a teenager.
Lay celebrated his 35th birthday on October 7, 2026. Six days later, he posted a short video and message on social media confirming his new status. The post quickly spread across Weibo and other platforms, with the hashtag about his college enrollment drawing wide attention.
Lay Shares the News With a Simple Message
Lay kept the announcement short and direct. In a video message posted on October 13, he said:
“Hey guys, a little life update. I got the TOEFL score I needed, and I’m officially a college student now! Back to school, learning new things, and chasing my dreams. Wish me luck!”
He also wrote in Chinese that he is “returning to campus to learn new things and keep moving toward his dream.” A location tag on the post showed he was in Los Angeles. He added a playful line to fans: “I’m in L.A., where are you guys?”
A Dream Delayed Since Age 17
Lay left China at 17 to train with SM Entertainment in South Korea. He debuted with EXO in 2012 at age 20. The early start to his entertainment career meant he never attended university like many of his peers.
He has spoken about that gap in the past. In interviews and fan events, Lay described the missing college experience as a long-standing regret. He said he wanted to study and improve himself outside of music and acting.
The decision to enroll now places him in a classroom for the first time as a full-time student. It also marks a shift in a career that has stayed busy across singing, acting, and producing.
What Lay Is Studying in Los Angeles
Lay is majoring in film in Los Angeles. Reports estimate the study period at about two to three years. The name of the school has not been confirmed by Lay or his studio.
Online reports and photos shared by fans point to the New York Film Academy’s Los Angeles campus. A group photo from a student welcome event on October 16 showed Lay with classmates, and fans identified the location as the New York Film Academy campus in Los Angeles.
The New York Film Academy is known for hands-on training in filmmaking. Its Los Angeles campus offers practical courses in camera work, lighting, editing, and directing. Reports suggest Lay is enrolled in a three-year accelerated bachelor’s program rather than a short-term workshop.
Tuition and living costs in Los Angeles are high. One report estimated the yearly cost at around 700,000 yuan (roughly $98,000), covering both tuition and living expenses. Over three years, that would add up to more than 2 million yuan. The figures have not been confirmed by Lay’s side.
Preparing for School While Working
Getting into a film program required more than a decision. Lay had to pass the TOEFL exam, which tests English ability for non-native speakers. He studied while keeping up with his music and acting schedule.
He shared parts of that preparation with fans. In early 2026, he went live on social media late at night to study English, sometimes at 3 a.m. Viewers saw him working through vocabulary and pronunciation practice. The streams drew praise from fans who called his effort relatable and sincere.
Preparation continued through a busy year. Lay released music, appeared in films, and finished filming other projects before starting classes. Reports say he turned down some work to focus on school once the program began.
Lay’s Goal: Directing and Producing His Own Films
The film major is not a random choice. Lay has shown steady interest in how films are made, not just how they are performed. He has worked in front of the camera for years, but his longer goal is to create and direct his own projects.
He said he hopes to bring a film he has directed to audiences within 10 years. That timeline would put him in his mid-40s with several years of study and practical film work behind him.
The plan lines up with a wider move toward behind-the-scenes work. Lay has already produced music and taken part in creative decisions across his career. A formal film education adds technical training in areas like cinematography, editing, and production.
EXO Concerts and Lay’s Schedule
EXO are set to hold encore concerts for their EXO PLANET #6 – EXhOrizon tour. The shows will take place from November 6 to 8, 2026, at KSPO Dome in Seoul.
Lay has missed some EXO group activities in the past due to scheduling conflicts. Earlier in 2026, he did not attend the EXO’verse fan meeting because of other commitments. His studies in Los Angeles add another layer to his schedule, and his participation in the November encore concerts has not been confirmed by organizers.
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Fan Reactions and Support
Support from fans has been widespread. Social media posts from international fans described Lay’s decision as motivating. One fan account shared that overseas followers were “inspired” by his return to school and said learning is “the most beautiful thing.”
Chinese fans on Weibo reacted with encouragement and humor. Many called him “留留子” (a playful term for a student who stays in school for a long time), a nickname Lay used for himself in a vlog about his study abroad life.
The response has focused less on surprise and more on steady support. Fans have followed his English study streams, his TOEFL update, and now his campus life.
Lay Zhang is enrolled as a film student in Los Angeles as of October 2026. EXO’s encore concerts are scheduled for November 6 to 8, 2026, at KSPO Dome in Seoul.
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