Kim Chaewon

Biography

Kim Chaewon (Korean: 김채원; born August 1, 2000) is a South Korean singer. She is the leader of South Korean girl group Le Sserafim and a former member of the girl group Iz*One, having finished tenth in the reality competition series Produce 48 in 2018.

Early life and education

Kim was born on August 1, 2000, in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. Her family consists of her parents and an older sister. Her mother is the theater actress Lee Ran-hee. Kim attended Seoul Poi Elementary School, Guryong Middle School, and Gaepo High School. She later transferred to Hanlim Multi Art School, graduating in 2019. In 2012, Kim performed in KBS' Korea Children's Song Contest.

2018–2021: Produce 48 and Iz*One

In 2018, Kim participated in the South Korean survival show Produce 48 by Mnet, representing Woollim Entertainment alongside Kwon Eun-bi, and Su-yun and So-hee of Rocket Punch. Prior to joining the survival show, Kim trained under Woollim Entertainment for 11 months. She finished in 10th place earning 238,192 votes, allowing her to debut in Iz*One, with labelmate Kwon Eun-bi. Kim officially debuted as a member of Iz*One on October 29, 2018, with the release of their first extended play (EP) Color*Iz and its lead single "La Vie en Rose".
In 2020, Kim was first credited for music composition on Oneiric Diary, for the track "With*One". She also contributed to writing lyrics for the song "Slow Journey", featured on Iz*One's final EP, One-reeler / Act IV. In March 2021, Kim competed in King of Mask Singer under the name "Formosan Deer". On March 13 and 14, Iz*One held their final concert, One, The Story. The group's contract officially expired on April 29.
After the dissolution of Iz*One, Kim returned to her parent company, Woollim Entertainment. She, alongside Kwon Eun-bi, participated together in a few magazine shoots for Esquire Magazine, Indeed Magazine, and Singles Magazine.

2022–present: Debut with Le Sserafim

On March 14, 2022, Source Music announced that Kim, alongside former Iz*One member, Sakura Miyawaki, signed exclusive contracts with the company, and was confirmed to debut in their new girl group Le Sserafim. Kim was revealed as the group's fourth member and leader on April 7. Kim made her debut as a member of Le Sserafim on May 2, with their extended play, Fearless.
On April 4, 2024, it was announced that Kim would be featured on the track "Spruce", from Tori Kelly's fifth studio album Tori. On July 10, 2025, Kim Chaewon was featured alongside Tomorrow X Together member Taehyun on JVKE's single "Butterflies". On May 19, 2026, Source Music announced that Kim would take a rest from group activities following the advice of medical professionals treating her for neck pain.

Endorsements

On August 27, 2024, the jewelry brand Swarovski announced that Kim would serve as an ambassador for the company in South Korea, marking her first solo ambassadorship with a luxury fashion brand. In February 2026, Kim was featured in an advertising campaign for the PlayStation 5 that ran across Southeast Asia during Lunar New Year.

Songwriting credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.