Kim Chaewon

**Kim Chaewon** (김채원; or simply **Chaewon**) is a South Korean singer-songwriter under Source Music. She is the leader of the girl group LE SSERAFIM and a former member of the project girl group IZ\*ONE.

## Career

### 2018-2021: *Produce 48*, IZ\*ONE

On May 11, 2018, she was revealed to be a contestant on *Produce 48* as a trainee representing Woollim Entertainment. On August 30, she finished the competition in 10th place, thus becoming a member of IZ\*ONE. The group officially debuted on October 29 with the mini album *Color\*IZ.*

On April 29, 2021, IZ\*ONE disbanded after their special contract was concluded. Then, Chaewon returned to Woollim as a trainee.

### 2021: New contract rumors & departure from Woollim Entertainment

On August 17, rumors surfaced that she would be recruited into Source Music's new girl group. Later, both HYBE and Woollim Entertainment, the agency that represents Chaewon, released a brief statement in response to the claims that they "cannot help verify information regarding our artist contracts. We ask for your understanding.” Later on, Woollim Entertainment was withdrawn from the information about Chaewon on Naver. In addition, her profile has also been deleted from the company's official website, increasing rumors that her contract has been completely transferred to HYBE.

### 2022: Source Music, debut with LE SSERAFIM

On March 14, 2022, it was announced that Chaewon and IZ\*ONE's former groupmate Sakura had officially signed to Source Music and would be debuting in their upcoming girl group, LE SSERAFIM, in May.

On April 7, she was introduced as the fourth member of LE SSERAFIM. They debuted on May 2, 2022 with the mini album *Fearless*.

## Personal life

### Family

Chaewon is the youngest daughter of theater actress Lee Ran-Hee. She has an older sister that was born in 1994.

### Education

Chaewon attended Seoul Poi Elementary School, Guryong Middle School, and Gaepo High School. She later transferred to Hanlim Multi Art School as a student of the Broadcasting & Entertainment Department, graduating on February 12, 2019.

## Filmography

### Variety shows

* *Korea Children’s Song Contest* (KBS, 2012) - performer
* *Hidden Singer 6* (JTBC, 2020) - guest (Ep. 4)
* *Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-staurant* (KBS2, 2020) - guest (Ep. 48)
* *Phantom Singer All-Star Game* (JTBC, 2021) - guest (Eps. 4–5)
* *King of Mask Singer* (MBC, 2021) - contestant (Ep. 297)

### Music shows

* *Show Champion* (MBC M, April 17, 2019) - Special MC
* *Inkigayo* (SBS, July 24 - 31, 2022) - Special MC

### Reality shows

* *Produce 48* (Mnet, 2018) - contestant
* *IZ\*ONE CHU* (Mnet, 2018)

### Music video appearances

* Golden Child - "Let Me" (2018)
* *Produce 48* - "Nekkoya (Pick Me)" (2018)
* *Produce 48* - "Nekkoya (Pick Me)" Gym Uniform ver. (2018)

## Writing credits

* All credits adapted from KOMCA, unless stated.

 IZ\*ONE
 "Slow Journey"
 LE SSERAFIM
Composing

## Trivia

* Prior to debuting with IZ\*ONE, she trained for 11 months.
* Her hobbies are watching movies, choreography videos, mukbang videos and listening to ballads.
* Her specialty is singing and dancing.
* Her *Produce 48* motto was "My skills are still lacking, but I will try harder than anyone to achieve my goals!", while her catchphrase was "Like steamed oriental rice, I am an enthusiastic girl ♬".
* Can peel 3 tangerines in 30 seconds.
* Her MBTI type is ISTP.
* She is the daughter of theater actress Lee Ran Hee.
* She has an older sister
* She describes herself as a lovely person, since people usually considers her as a loveable person.
* Chaewon don't like mushrooms and coffee.
* She is good at eating spicy food.
* Her favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate, and she’s known for her “mint choco choco dan” aegyo.
* She wanted to become a flight attendant before becoming an idol.
* Her motto in LE SSERAFIM is "Fearless of Change".