Leeseo (IVE): Profile, Career, and Fun Facts

Leeseo's Profile

Real Name: Lee Hyun-seo
Native Name: 이현서
Nicknames: Baby Tiger, Maknaeng-i, Jammin, Maknae Seo
Birthday: Feb 21, 2007 (18 years old)
Blood type: O
Height/Weight: 166 cm (5'5") / 46 kg (101 lbs)
Gender: Female
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Debut: December 1, 2021
Position: Vocalist, Maknae
MBTI: ESTP (The Entrepreneur)
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Nationality: South Korean
Profession: Singer
Languages: Korean, English (basic)
Group: IVE

Leeseo (이서), born Lee Hyun-seo (이현서) on February 21, 2007, in Banpo-dong, Seocho District, Seoul, South Korea, is a South Korean singer, dancer, and K-pop idol under Starship Entertainment. She is the youngest member (maknae) of the girl group IVE, which debuted in December 2021.

Among Generation Z idols, she is considered one of the notable members, recognized by fans for her stage presence and charming personality.

Early Life

Leeseo was born and raised in Seocho District, Seoul, in a South Korean family. From an early age, she showed artistic talent and participated in various extracurricular activities at school. She attended Incheon Nangok Elementary School before enrolling at the School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA), majoring in Practical Music.

Prior to joining IVE, Leeseo worked as a child model under SM Entertainment. She later became a trainee at Starship Entertainment and was selected for IVE’s debut lineup at the age of 14.

Career

Leeseo began her entertainment career in 2018 as part of the first generation of SM Kids Model. In 2019, she joined Starship Entertainment and underwent two years of training before being revealed as the final member of IVE on November 7, 2021. The group officially debuted on December 1, 2021, with the single album Eleven under Starship Entertainment.

As IVE’s maknae, Leeseo takes on the roles of vocalist and dancer, participating in hit songs such as LOVE DIVE, After LIKE, I AM, and Baddie, all of which achieved significant success on both domestic and international charts.

In 2022, she joined the collaboration project Blue & Black alongside members from OH MY GIRL and CRAVITY, released under Pepsi’s promotional campaign with Starship. In 2024, she released the track May Lily for the OST of the Naver webtoon I’m the Queen in This Life.

Beyond music, Leeseo ventured into television, becoming an MC for SBS’s music program Inkigayo in April 2024. She previously appeared on KBS2’s Stars’ Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant in 2023. In advertising, she served as a brand model for sportswear brand The North Face in 2023.

Strengths

Before her idol debut, Leeseo was a child model for SM Entertainment and was discovered while participating in a piano competition during elementary school. She enjoys swimming and is skilled in various techniques, including backstroke and butterfly.

Academically, she excels in mathematics and was a member of her school choir starting from third grade.

Dance is one of Leeseo’s strongest assets; as IVE’s lead dancer, she often handles technically demanding choreography, such as the spin move in I AM and the intricate opening sequence of Baddie, both requiring precise control and rhythm.

She is also recognized for her high, clear, and bright vocal tone. International fans on X (formerly Twitter) have nicknamed her the “candy voice,” referring to her distinctive, sweet timbre—especially noticeable in the opening line of Baddie and the main melody of May Lily.

Since April 2024, as an MC for Inkigayo, her hosting segments have received positive reactions on forums like TheQoo and Naver, with many praising her quick wit and clear pronunciation, even when delivering long scripts.

Leeseo reportedly needs only a few hours to learn Inkigayo’s dance challenges—such as (G)I-DLE’s Queencard or STAYC’s Bubble—reproducing the original moves and facial expressions with impressive accuracy.

Her MBTI type is ESTP (Entrepreneur)—an extroverted, quick-thinking, and practical personality type, often exuding energy in group settings.