Hyewon

Kang Hye-won, widely known as Hyewon, is a South Korean actress and singer who first rose to prominence as the lead rapper, sub-vocalist, and visual of the girl group IZ*ONE. Born on July 5, 1999, in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, Hye-won trained for several years, including stints at Music K Entertainment and HYWY Entertainment, before joining 8D Creative as a trainee representing the company on Produce 48.

In 2018, Hye-won competed on Produce 48, finishing 8th overall and earning her place in the twelve-member project group IZ*ONE, which debuted on October 29, 2018, with the mini-album Color*Iz. Nicknamed the “Innocent Rapper” and celebrated as the group’s “Selca Queen” for her photography skills, Hye-won contributed her bright charisma and sharp visuals to IZ*ONE’s chart-topping releases throughout the group’s promotional run.

Following IZ*ONE’s disbandment in April 2021, Hye-won pivoted toward acting while staying connected to music, releasing a special winter album titled W in December 2021 as a heartfelt gift to fans, followed by the single “Like A Diamond” featuring Stella Jang in 2022. She made her acting debut in the web series Best Mistake 3 and steadily built a filmography that includes Cheongchun Beullasseom, Boyhood (which became a major streaming hit), The Player 2: Master of Swindlers, Friendly Rivalry, and To the Moon.

In April 2025, Hye-won signed with PEACE Entertainment, an agency specializing in actor management, signaling her full commitment to an acting career. She has continued to take on increasingly prominent roles, including a first lead role in the Japanese drama Gimbap and Onigiri, cementing her transformation from beloved idol to a rising star of Korean television.