Kim Chaewon

### Signature

**Kim Chaewon** (Korean: 김채원; Japanese: キム・チェウォン) is a South Korean singer-songwriter currently 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, Chaewon was revealed as contestant for the survival show *Produce 48*, where she would represent Woollim Entertainment. She placed 10th overall in the show's finale, thus becoming a member of IZ\*ONE. The group officially debuted on October 29 with the mini album *Color\*IZ.*

Following the expiration of their two and a half year contract, on April 29, 2021, IZ\*ONE officially disbanded.

### 2021-2022: Departure from Woollim Entertainment, debut with LE SSERAFIM

On August 17, 2021, rumors began that Chaewon, along with fellow former IZ\*ONE member Sakura, were recruited by Source Music to join their upcoming girl group. Later that day, both HYBE Labels and Woollim Entertainment released brief statements that neither confirmed nor denied such rumors. Later on, fans reported that Chaewon's profile was removed from Woollim Entertainment's official website and that Woollim was no longer listed as the agency she is under on her Daum and Naver profiles, leaving speculation that she had left the company and signed with HYBE.

Chaewon was offered to switch agencies, as she still hoped to re-debut in a new group.

On March 14, 2022, it was finally confirmed that Chaewon had officially signed to Source Music and would be debuting in their upcoming girl group.

On April 7, Chaewon was revealed as LE SSERAFIM's fourth member. The group debuted on May 2 with their first mini album *FEARLESS*.

## Personal Life

### Family

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

### Education

On February 11, 2019, Chaewon graduated from Hanlim Multi Arts High School, where she was a student in the Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment. In 6th grade, she joined the 2012 KBS Creative Children's Song Contest with the 'Poi Elementary Choir.'

## Discography

### Japanese

#### Collaborations

* AKB48 - "Hitsuzensei" (as a part of IZ4648) (2019)

## Filmography

### Survival shows

* *Produce 48* (Mnet, 2018) - contestant
* *King of Masked Singer* (MBC, 2021) - contestant (Episode 297)

### Variety shows

* *HMLYCP* (ENA, YouTube, 2023) - cast member

### Music video appearances

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

## Credits

◯ = *Participates as lyrics/composer/producer*, ✖ = *Not participated as lyrics/composer/producer*

## References

1. ↑ (KR) Newsen: 르세라핌 리더 김채원 공개, 귀요미의 대담한 변신
2. ↑ *Produce 48*: Episode 1-12
3. ↑ NME: HYBE reportedly to recruit IZ\*ONE’s Kim Chae-won and Miyawaki Sakura for new girl group
4. ↑ KpopStarz: Former IZ\*ONE Member Kim Chaewon Removed from Woollim Entertainment Website
5. ↑ The Story Behind LE SSERAFIM Chaewon’s Move From Woollim Entertainment To Source Music
6. ↑ Soompi: Former IZ\*ONE Members Miyawaki Sakura And Kim Chae Won Confirmed To Join Source Music’s New Girl Group
7. ↑ LE SSERAFIM "KIM CHAEWON"
8. ↑ Allkpop: IZ\*ONE's Kim Chae Won revealed to be theater actress Lee Ran Hee's daughter
9. ↑ Soompi: Idols Graduate From Hanlim Arts School And Lila Art High School
10. ↑ https://kpopsingers.com/chaewon-le-sserafim-profile-bio-facts/
11. ↑ Twitter: @Makeupforever on Twitter (March 1, 2023)