Chaewon

Who Is Kim Chaewon of LE SSERAFIM?

Kim Chaewon, born August 1, 2000, in Seoul, South Korea, is the leader, main vocalist, and dancer of the HYBE girl group LE SSERAFIM. Fans first met her sweet, “fairy-like” image years before LE SSERAFIM existed, and watching her grow into a confident group leader has been one of the more satisfying arcs in recent K-pop history.

From Produce 48 to IZ*ONE

Chaewon is the daughter of theater actress Lee Ran-hee, and she grew up with a natural pull toward performing. She trained for 11 months at Woollim Entertainment before appearing on Mnet’s Produce 48 in 2018, where she finished 10th overall and earned a spot in IZ*ONE. Over the group’s two-and-a-half-year run, she built a reputation as a reliable vocalist with an endearing, approachable stage persona that made her one of the project’s most beloved members.

Becoming LE SSERAFIM’s Leader

After IZ*ONE disbanded in April 2021, Chaewon left Woollim Entertainment to sign with Source Music, reuniting with former groupmate Sakura. She was revealed as LE SSERAFIM’s fourth member on April 7, 2022, and was quickly announced as the group’s leader ahead of their debut with FEARLESS on May 2, 2022. Taking on a leadership role meant embracing a bolder, more assertive image than fans had seen from her before, and Chaewon rose to the challenge, becoming the steady hand guiding LE SSERAFIM through its explosive rise.

Leading LE SSERAFIM’s Rise

Under her leadership, LE SSERAFIM has become one of the fastest-growing girl groups of the 2020s, scoring back-to-back hits with ANTIFRAGILE, UNFORGIVEN, and the EASY-CRAZY-HOT trilogy, along with a Billboard 200 top-ten placement and multiple Golden Disc Award wins. Off stage, Chaewon has become a recognizable ambassador figure, representing brands such as Swarovski, while continuing to balance her responsibilities as leader with her own personal growth as a vocalist and performer. Known for her calm, dependable presence and quick problem-solving instincts, she remains one of the most respected leaders in the current K-pop landscape.