Arin
아린 (Arin) · 최예원 (Choi Ye-won)
Choi Ye-won — Lead Dancer · Sub-Vocalist · Maknae
June 18, 1999 South Korean 165 cm 48 kg Type O Gemini
Arin is the maknae and lead dancer of Oh My Girl, the K-pop girl group under WM Entertainment known for singles like "Nonstop" and "Dun Dun Dance." Born Choi Ye-won on June 18, 1999, in Busan, South Korea, she trained under WM Entertainment starting in 2013 before debuting with Oh My Girl's original lineup on April 21, 2015. Though she's the group's youngest member, she's also its tallest, and she's affectionately nicknamed "Princess Arin" for her kind, graceful personality. Beyond music, Arin has built a notable acting career, making her debut in the 2020 web drama The World of My 17, co-hosting the music show Music Bank alongside TXT's Soobin, and later gaining wide recognition for playing Jin Cho-yeon in the hit fantasy drama Alchemy of Souls (2022-2023). She has since appeared in projects such as Urban Myths, Summer Love Machine Blues, and My Girlfriend is the Man!. In 2025, Arin left WM Entertainment to sign with the agency ATRP, while continuing to promote together with the rest of Oh My Girl as a six-member group. Known for her dancing, her expanding acting filmography, and her warm relationships with fellow idols like WJSN's Dayoung, Arin has grown from a shy trainee into one of Oh My Girl's most versatile and recognizable members. Her dual career in K-pop and acting makes her a compelling profile for fans following both the group and Korean drama.
Story
Biography
Who Is Arin?
Arin is the maknae (youngest member) and lead dancer of Oh My Girl, the K-pop girl group that debuted in 2015 under WM Entertainment. Born Choi Ye-won on June 18, 1999, in Busan, she’s grown from the group’s shy youngest member into one of its most recognizable faces – both in music and, increasingly, on television. If you know Oh My Girl from their discography or Arin from dramas like Alchemy of Souls, this profile connects both sides of her career.
Youngest in Age, Tallest in Height
Arin joined WM Entertainment as a trainee in 2013 and debuted with Oh My Girl’s original eight-member lineup on April 21, 2015. As the group’s maknae, she’s technically the youngest, but she’s also the tallest member at 165 cm – a fun contradiction fans love to point out. Early on, she was known for a shy, reserved personality, which earned her the affectionate nickname “Princess Arin” for her graceful, kind demeanor.
Building a Second Career in Acting
Arin’s résumé stretches well beyond music. She made her acting debut in the 2020 web drama The World of My 17, then spent 2020 and 2021 co-hosting Music Bank alongside TXT’s Soobin. Her biggest breakout came with Alchemy of Souls (2022-2023), where she played Jin Cho-yeon across both parts of the hit fantasy series. She’s continued building her filmography with roles in Urban Myths and Summer Love Machine Blues, and more recent projects like My Girlfriend is the Man!.
A New Agency, Same Group
In 2025, Arin left WM Entertainment for the agency ATRP, a move that also saw fellow member YooA transfer elsewhere. Notably, all six members – regardless of which company represents them individually – have publicly committed to continuing to promote together as Oh My Girl, a fairly unusual arrangement in the K-pop industry.
Why Fans Root for Arin
Between her dance skills, her growing acting résumé, and her reputation as one of the kindest members in the group, Arin has quietly become one of Oh My Girl’s most versatile members. Fans, known as Miracles, often point to her as proof that idols can build meaningful careers on two very different stages at once.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | Arin (아린) |
| Full Birth Name | Choi Ye-won (최예원) |
| Date of Birth | June 18, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Busan, South Korea |
| Hometown | Busan |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 165 cm (5'5") |
| Weight | 48 kg (106 lbs) |
| Blood Type | O |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| MBTI | Not officially confirmed |
| Education | Dongduk Middle School; School of Performing Arts Seoul |
| Agency | ATRP (formerly WM Entertainment) |
| Debut | April 21, 2015 (Oh My Girl, "Oh My Girl") |
| Languages | Korean |
| Nicknames | Princess Arin |
| Hobbies | Watching movies while eating caramel popcorn, coordinating outfits |
| Favorite Color | Pink |
| Ideal Type | Someone who works hard at whatever he does |
Membership
Groups & Positions
Oh My Girl
WM Entertainment
Lead Dancer Sub-Vocalist Maknae
April 2015 - Present
The Lineup
Group Members — Oh My Girl
Hyojung
Leader · Main Vocalist
Mimi
Main Rapper · Lead Dancer · Vocalist
YooA
Main Dancer · Lead Vocalist · Rapper · Face of the Group
Seunghee
Main Vocalist
Yubin
Sub-Vocalist
Arin
Lead Dancer · Sub-Vocalist · Maknae
This Idol
Journey
Career Timeline
2013
Became a WM trainee
Joined WM Entertainment as a trainee.
2015
Oh My Girl debut
Debuted as the maknae and lead dancer of Oh My Girl with the group's self-titled mini album.
2018
Oh My Girl Banhana
Debuted in the subunit Oh My Girl Banhana with the special album "Banana Allergy Monkey."
2020
Acting debut
Made her acting debut with a lead role in the web drama "The World of My 17."
2020
Music Bank MC
Became co-MC of the music show "Music Bank" alongside TXT's Soobin.
2022
"Alchemy of Souls"
Gained wide recognition playing Jin Cho-yeon in the hit fantasy drama "Alchemy of Souls."
2023
"Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow"
Reprised her role in the drama's second part, "Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow."
2023
"Summer Love Machine Blues"
Starred in the short-form romance drama "Summer Love Machine Blues."
2025
Agency change
Left WM Entertainment to sign with the agency ATRP, while continuing to promote with Oh My Girl.
2026
"My Girlfriend is the Man!"
Appeared in the drama "My Girlfriend is the Man!."
Music
Discography
💜
Oh My Girl
Mini Album
2015
💜
Closer
Mini Album
2015
💜
Pink Ocean
Mini Album
2016
💜
Windy Day
Repackage Album
2016
💜
Listen to My Word
Special Album
2016
💜
Coloring Book
Mini Album
2017
💜
Secret Garden
Mini Album
2018
💜
Banana Allergy Monkey
Special Album (Oh My Girl Banhana)
2018
💜
The Fifth Season
Studio Album
2019
💜
Fall in Love
Repackage Album
2019
💜
Nonstop
Mini Album
2020
💜
PO~MYGIRL
Special Single Album
2020
💜
Dear OhMyGirl
Mini Album
2021
💜
Real Love
Studio Album
2022
💜
Dreamy Resonance
Mini Album
2024
💜
Oh My
Special Single
2025
💜
Weather Diary
Special Single
2025
🎧
Cupid
Digital Single
2015
🎧
Closer
Digital Single
2015
🎧
Liar Liar
Digital Single
2016
🎧
Windy Day
Digital Single
2016
🎧
Coloring Book
Digital Single
2017
🎧
Secret Garden
Digital Single
2018
🎧
Banana Allergy Monkey
Digital Single
2018
🎧
Bungee (Fall in Love)
Digital Single
2019
🎧
Nonstop
Digital Single
2020
🎧
Dolphin
Digital Single
2020
🎧
Dun Dun Dance
Digital Single
2021
🎧
Real Love
Digital Single
2022
🎧
Classified
Digital Single
2024
🎧
Oh My
Digital Single
2025
🎧
Weather Diary
Digital Single
2025
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
Digital Bonsang - "Nonstop"
Golden Disc Awards
2021
Digital Song Bonsang - "Dun Dun Dance"
Golden Disc Awards
2022
Song of the Year (April) - "Nonstop"
Gaon Chart Music Awards
2021
Bonsang Award
Seoul Music Awards
2021
Bonsang Award
Seoul Music Awards
2022
Artist of the Year (Bonsang)
The Fact Music Awards
2021
Best Female Group
Brand Customer Loyalty Award
2021
Female Idol of the Year
Brand of the Year Awards
2019
K-Global Heart Dream Bonsang
K-Global Heart Dream Awards
2022
WhosFandom Award - Female
Hanteo Music Awards
2024
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
★
She was born in Busan, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
★
She has a younger brother named Choi Seok-jun.
★
She attended Dongduk Middle School before graduating from School of Performing Arts Seoul.
★
Her chosen spirit animal is the rabbit.
★
She's the youngest member of Oh My Girl but also its tallest.
★
She's been a trainee (originally under WM Entertainment) since 2013.
★
She's nicknamed "Princess Arin" for her kind, graceful personality.
★
She enjoys watching movies while eating caramel popcorn.
★
Coordinating outfits is one of her favorite hobbies.
★
She can do an impression of fellow member Mimi.
★
She's close friends with WJSN's Dayoung and Weki Meki's Yoojung.
★
Her favorite color is pink.
★
Her favorite Oh My Girl song is "Illusion."
★
She's very sensitive to cold weather.
★
Her favorite foods are rice and chicken.
★
She made her acting debut in the 2020 web drama "The World of My 17."
★
She co-hosted "Music Bank" with TXT's Soobin from 2020 to 2021.
★
She won a Best Couple Award (with Soobin) tied to her Music Bank hosting run.
★
She gained major recognition playing Jin Cho-yeon in "Alchemy of Souls" (2022-2023).
★
She also appeared in Netflix's horror anthology "Urban Myths."
★
She starred in the short-form drama "Summer Love Machine Blues" (2023).
★
Fans often say she resembles actresses like Bae Suzy and Kim Yoo-jung.
★
She left WM Entertainment in 2025 to sign with the agency ATRP.
★
She has shared an apartment with member Yubin after their old dorm lease ended.
★
Within the group, she's said to be closest with member Seunghee.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
Miracle
Miracle is the official fandom name of Oh My Girl, first revealed on March 28, 2016 at the group's comeback showcase for their Pink Ocean EP. Member Seunghee has explained that the name was inspired by a line in the song "B612," which says meeting a person you love feels like a miracle - a nod to how the members feel about meeting their fans. Fans are affectionately nicknamed "Cree."
Official Fan Color
Cotton Candy Pink, Sky Blue & Yellow (Pantone 230C / 304C / 461U)
WM Entertainment revealed Oh My Girl's three official colors on August 2, 2018: Pantone 230C (light pink), Pantone 304C (light blue), and Pantone 461U (soft yellow), together nicknamed "cotton candy" by fans for their pastel, dreamy feel.
Official Light Stick
Dear My Stick (Dear My Bong)
Teased in April 2018 and officially released that August, the lightstick is shaped like a white deer with antlers circled by a halo, a design inspired by the "Windy Day" music video. It can glow in all three official colors and runs in on, blink, and flicker modes.
Fan Community Platform
WM Fancafe / B-Stage Membership
Miracle membership has been sold in numbered generations (most recently the Miracle 6th Membership, recruited through the B-Stage platform in March 2026), giving fans access to season's greetings, fan meetings, and other members-only content.
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
