Artist Profile
- Real Name: Choi Jisu
- Native Name: 최지수
- Nicknames: Julia Choi, Julia
- Birthday: Jul 21, 2000 (25 years old)
- Blood type: AB
- Height/Weight: 162.3 cm (5'3.75") / 43 kg (94 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- MBTI: ENFJ
- Birthplace: Incheon, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Composer
- Language Skills: Korean, English
- Current Agency: JYP Entertainment
- Debut: February 12, 2019
- Group: ITZY
- Years Active: 2019–present (7 years)
Lia, born Choi Ji-su (최지수) on July 21, 2000, in Incheon, South Korea, is a South Korean singer under JYP Entertainment. She debuted as a member of the K-pop girl group ITZY on February 12, 2019, with the single album It’z Different. Within the group, Lia serves as the main vocalist and sub-rapper.
Early life
During elementary school, she lived in Toronto, Canada, for a period of time before returning to South Korea. In 2012, she auditioned for SM Entertainment and passed, but her family decided not to proceed with the contract.
After coming back to Korea, she attended North London Collegiate School Jeju, an international school, before transferring to the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA), majoring in Practical Music. She graduated in February 2019.
Lia joined JYP Entertainment as a trainee in 2017. After training for over two years, she debuted with ITZY on February 12, 2019.
Career
In 2017, Lia took part in the recruitment process at JYP Entertainment, passed the selection, and became a trainee. She then underwent more than two years of training before making her debut. Prior to that, she had passed an audition with SM Entertainment in Canada but declined to sign a contract due to her family’s decision. Later, Lia graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul to prepare for her professional singing career.
On January 20, 2019, Lia was introduced as a member of JYP Entertainment’s new girl group, ITZY. On February 12, 2019, she officially debuted as the group’s main vocalist and sub-rapper through the single album IT’z Different, with the title track Dalla Dalla. Following its release, Dalla Dalla set a record for the highest number of views within 24 hours for a K-pop debut music video and earned the group their first music show win eight days after debut.
From 2019 to 2023, Lia took part in all of ITZY’s releases, including IT’z ICY (2019), IT’z ME (2020), Not Shy (2020), GUESS WHO (2021), CRAZY IN LOVE (2021), CHECKMATE (2022), and KILL MY DOUBT (2023). The group consistently achieved strong results on both domestic and international charts.
In January 2022, Lia began solo activities by releasing Always Be Your Star for the OST of MBC’s drama The Red Sleeve. In October of the same year, she contributed Blue Flower to tvN’s Alchemy of Souls 2, which entered the Circle Chart at No. 184.
In May 2023, she released One Hundred Love for the OST of Dr. Romantic. However, on September 18, 2023, JYP Entertainment announced that Lia would suspend all activities to receive treatment for anxiety disorder and stress. She missed the BORN TO BE world tour and did not take part in the recording of the album BORN TO BE, released in January 2024. During her hiatus, Lia still composed Blossom as a gift to fans, which was released as a lyric video in November 2023. The track was later included in BORN TO BE as her only contribution during her break.
In 2024, JYP Entertainment announced Lia’s return on July 8 after a 10-month hiatus. She appeared in a live broadcast celebrating ITZY’s fifth debut anniversary, and by October of the same year, Lia resumed group activities with ITZY through their ninth mini album, GOLD. The album consists of 11 tracks, including two title songs, “GOLD” and “Imaginary Friend,” as well as newly recorded versions of songs from BORN TO BE featuring her vocals.
In 2025, Lia continued her activities with ITZY through their 10th mini album Girls Will Be Girls, released in June. She also extended her OST work with Why Not for The Fiery Priest 2 and Woodahe for The Tale of Lady Ok.
Fun Facts
- Her English name is Julia, shortened to Lia as her stage name.
- She once lived and studied in Toronto, Canada, and speaks English fluently like a native speaker.
- She is especially fond of her pet dog, Bella, and once joked that Bella is her “first and forever boyfriend.”
- She is allergic to raw seafood, so sashimi is not an option for her.
- She is a Marvel fan, with Iron Man as her favorite, and once had a lighthearted debate with Yeji on VLIVE about Tony Stark.
- She has a habit of writing in her diary at night as a way to process her emotions.
- Fans call her “Cinnamon Lia” because of the gentle energy and sense of comfort she gives off.
- Many fans describe her visuals as a blend of Jisoo and Irene, combining purity with elegance.
- She has loved fashion since childhood and even made clothes for her dolls when she was in elementary school.
- She is a fan of Western pop music, especially Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish.
- She dislikes loud arguments, but when she speaks up, she is straightforward and sharp.
- ELLE Korea once described her as “Lia-keeps-moving-forward,” someone who continues to walk her own path even when she is alone.
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