Artist Profile
- Full Name: Kim Chaewon
- Native Name: 김채원
- Nicknames: Angel Chaewon, Baby Cheetah, Anna Kim (English)
- Birthday: Aug 01, 2000 (25 years old)
- Blood type: B
- Height/Weight: 164 cm (5’5") / 42 kg (93 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- MBTI: ESTP
- Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Profession: Singer, Songwriter
- Language Skills: Korean, Japanese, English
- Current Agency: Source Music
- Debut: October 29, 2018 (IZ*ONE), May 2, 2022 (LE SSERAFIM)
- Years Active: 2018–present (8 years)
- Group: LE SSERAFIM
Kim Chaewon (born August 1, 2000) is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and dancer. She is the leader of the girl group LE SSERAFIM under Source Music. Kim Chaewon was previously a member of the project girl group IZ*ONE after finishing in tenth place on the 2018 Mnet survival reality show Produce 48.
Early life
Kim Chaewon was born in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. Her family consists of her parents and an older sister; her mother is theater actress Lee Ran-hee. Kim Chaewon attended Seoul Poi Elementary School and Guryong Middle School. She initially attended Gaepo High School before transferring to Hanlim Multi Art School, from which she graduated in 2019.
In 2012, while in the sixth grade, Kim Chaewon participated in the KBS Korea Children’s Song Contest as a member of the Seoul Poi Elementary School choir. During her primary and middle school years, she practiced singing and dancing at home. She began pursuing a career as an idol during high school. After passing several auditions, she became a trainee at Woollim Entertainment, where she trained for 11 months prior to her participation in Produce 48.
Career
In 2018, Kim Chaewon represented Woollim Entertainment on the survival show Produce 48. She finished in tenth place with 238,192 votes and officially debuted as a member of IZ*ONE on October 29 of the same year with the debut extended play (EP) ColorIz and its lead single “La Vie en Rose.”
In 2019, Kim Chaewon and IZ*ONE released their Japanese debut single “Suki to Iwasetai” under Universal Music Group in February, which received a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan. During her tenure with the group, she participated in several successful releases, including “Violeta” and “Secret Story of the Swan.”
In 2020, Kim Chaewon was credited as a composer for the song “WithOne” in the album Oneiric Diary. She also contributed lyrics to the song “Slow Journey,” featured in the group’s final EP, One-reeler / Act IV.
In 2021, Kim Chaewon and IZ*ONE held their final two-day online concert titled “ONE, THE STORY” on March 13 and 14. The group officially disbanded on April 29, 2021, following the conclusion of their scheduled two-and-a-half-year contract.
In 2022, Kim Chaewon debuted as the leader of the girl group LE SSERAFIM under Source Music with the EP Fearless on May 2. In October, she and the group released their second EP, Antifragile, featuring the lead single of the same name.
In 2023, Kim Chaewon and LE SSERAFIM released their first studio album, Unforgiven, on May 1. From August 12 to October 3, she participated in the group’s first concert tour, Flame Rises Tour, which included 11 performances across six cities in Asia.
In 2024, Kim Chaewon and LE SSERAFIM released the EP Easy on February 19, which debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200. In April, she and the group performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, becoming the fastest K-pop artist to be invited to perform at the festival following their debut. In August, the group released their fourth EP, Crazy, and subsequently performed at the MTV Video Music Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards, winning the Push Performance of the Year award.
In 2025, Kim Chaewon and LE SSERAFIM released their fifth EP, Hot, on March 14, debuting at number nine on the Billboard 200. Beginning April 19, she joined the group’s first world tour, Easy Crazy Hot Tour, starting in Incheon and expanding to Japan and North America across eight cities.
Fun facts
- She can peel three tangerines within 30 seconds.
- She is very fond of tangerines, a trait often noted by her fans.
- She is a fan of mint chocolate and has a signature aegyo phrase called “mint choco choco dan.”
- She is an avid drinker of bubble tea.
- Many fans compare her appearance to the character Rapunzel from the Disney film Tangled.
- Her nicknames include Baby Cheetah, ChaeChae, Angel Chaewon, Fairy Chaewon, and Radish Cabbage Fairy.
- Her English name is Anna Kim, though she rarely uses it.
- She has two piercings in her right ear but none in her left ear.
- She appeared in the music video for “Let Me” by the boy group Golden Child prior to her debut.
- She considered herself in charge of the “cute” role in IZ*ONE.
- Her hobbies include lying down and leaving her phone uncharged.
- She has a playful personality and frequently displays humor despite her role as group leader.
- She has expressed a desire to dye her hair purple but has not yet done so.
- She has a high tolerance for spicy food.
- She enjoys watching movies and choreography videos in her spare time.
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