Who is Chaeryeong? ITZY's Main Dancer Story & Profile (2025)

Chaeryeong captivated the K-pop world with her exceptional dancing skills and perseverance, finally debuting with ITZY in February 2019 after a remarkable five-year training period—the longest among all ITZY members. Born Lee Chae-ryeong on June 5, 2001, she has established herself as a formidable talent in the industry as a main dancer, lead vocalist, and rapper for one of South Korea's most dynamic girl groups.

Before joining ITZY, Chaeryeong's journey through the entertainment industry included several notable milestones. She first appeared on the reality competition show K-pop Star 3 in November 2013 and later participated in SIXTEEN, the survival show that formed TWICE, though she was ultimately eliminated in the finale. Despite these setbacks, her determination paid off when JYP Entertainment revealed her as a member of their newest girl group on January 20, 2019. Additionally, Chaeryeong comes from a family with K-pop connections—her older sister Chaeyeon is also a celebrated K-pop idol.

Early life and background

Born on June 5, 2001, Lee Chaeryeong entered the world in Yongin, South Korea, beginning a journey that would eventually lead her to K-pop stardom. While one source suggests Nonsan-si as her birthplace, multiple reliable sources confirm Yongin as her true place of origin, with Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do specifically noted as her hometown.

Chaeryeong birthday and birthplace

Chaeryeong, whose full birth name is Lee Chae-ryeong (이채령), celebrates her birthday on June 5, making her a Gemini according to the zodiac calendar. Standing at 166 cm (5'5"), she represents one of ITZY's most technically skilled dancers. Her blood type is B, a detail often noted in K-pop profiles as it holds cultural significance in South Korea.

The ITZY main dancer comes from what appears to be a comfortable background. Several sources indicate that the Lee family is relatively well-off. Photos of their family home shared through her sister's reality program reveal spacious living areas with marble tilings, fancy decor, and a chandelier—suggesting the Lee sisters grew up in a privileged environment.

Family ties: Sisterhood with Chaeyeon

Chaeryeong's family consists of her parents and two sisters, creating a household filled with artistic talent. Her mother, Choi Seonyeong, is herself a dancer who attended the same dance institute as Chaeryeong, albeit in different classes. This maternal influence likely played a significant role in both daughters pursuing performance careers.

Most notably, Chaeryeong shares a special bond with her older sister, Lee Chaeyeon, born January 11, 2000. The sisters' paths in the entertainment industry have been remarkably intertwined. In November 2013, they appeared together as contestants on K-pop Star 3. Though both were eliminated from that competition, they joined JYP Entertainment as trainees afterward.

Their shared journey continued when both sisters competed on JYP's reality survival show SIXTEEN in 2015, which formed the girl group TWICE. After both faced elimination, their paths diverged—Chaeyeon left JYP for WM Entertainment and eventually debuted with IZ*ONE through the Produce 48 competition, while Chaeryeong remained at JYP.

During a press showcase for ITZY's first mini-album IT'z ICY, Chaeryeong spoke warmly about her sister: "It makes me happy to watch her promoting with IZ*ONE. Rather than being rivals, we are senior-juniors of the industry and family who support one another". Furthermore, the sisters have a younger sibling named Lee Chaemin (born in 2006), who is studying Korean dance.

Education at Hanlim Multi Art School

Chaeryeong's formal education included attending Seocheon Elementary School and Seocheon Middle School before enrolling at the prestigious Hanlim Multi Art School, a specialized institution known for educating many K-pop idols. At Hanlim, she studied in the Musical Theatre Department, honing performance skills that would later serve her idol career.

Her educational journey paralleled that of her fellow ITZY member Ryujin, as both studied musical theatre at Hanlim. The pair graduated together on February 7, 2020, approximately one year after their debut with ITZY. Prior to Hanlim, Chaeryeong also received training at Kyw Dance School, further developing the exceptional dance abilities that would become her signature strength in ITZY.

The trainee years: Before ITZY

Chaeryeong's path to stardom began long before ITZY's formation, marked by multiple auditions, reality shows, and an extensive training period that shaped her into the performer fans recognize today. Her pre-debut journey showcases the perseverance that would ultimately lead to her success in one of K-pop's most dynamic groups.

Joining JYP Entertainment

Following her K-pop Star 3 appearance, Chaeryeong officially became a JYP Entertainment trainee in 2014. She underwent an impressive five-year training period at the agency—the longest among all ITZY members. This extensive preparation outpaced even Ryujin's four-year training tenure. Nevertheless, JYP wasn't her first attempt at entering the industry. Previously, Chaeryeong had auditioned for Fantagio Entertainment in 2012 alongside her sister Chaeyeon, though neither succeeded in joining the agency.

Participation in K-pop Star 3

Chaeryeong's public journey began on November 24, 2013, when she appeared as a contestant on the third season of K-pop Star 3 at just 11 years old. This reality television competition, a collaboration between three major Korean entertainment agencies, served as a platform to discover emerging talent in the K-pop industry. She participated alongside her older sister Chaeyeon, with both siblings showcasing their dancing abilities. Although they received praise for their skills, particularly in dance, neither progressed far in the competition.

Despite this setback, the sisters' talents caught attention—they subsequently joined JYP Entertainment as trainees after the show concluded.

Experience on SIXTEEN

In May 2015, approximately a year after becoming a JYP trainee, Chaeryeong participated in the survival reality show SIXTEEN. This JYP Entertainment and Mnet collaboration was designed to determine the members of the agency's new girl group, which would eventually become TWICE.

Throughout the competition, contestants were evaluated not only on singing and dancing abilities but also on charisma and personality. The show featured a unique format dividing participants into "Majors" (those on track to debut) and "Minors" (those needing to prove themselves), with positions shifting based on performance.

Chaeryeong progressed significantly in the competition, reaching the finale but ultimately placing 10th—just missing the nine-member cutoff for TWICE. Her elimination came despite showing considerable talent, particularly in dance. While her sister Chaeyeon (who placed 16th) left JYP following the show, Chaeryeong remained with the agency.

Training in Japan and dance schools

JYP Entertainment invested in Chaeryeong's development by providing specialized training opportunities. Indeed, the agency sponsored her studies in Japan, where she focused specifically on jazz dance. This international training experience helped diversify her dance repertoire beyond K-pop styles.

Back in Korea, Chaeryeong further honed her skills at Kyw Dance School. During this period, she regularly uploaded dance covers online, demonstrating both her growing abilities and dedication to improvement. These videos likely helped build a pre-debut following that would support her eventual debut.

In 2017, Chaeryeong made a brief appearance on the first episode of Stray Kids alongside her future ITZY groupmates Yeji, Ryujin, and Yuna—foreshadowing the group that would finally bring her into the spotlight after years of training and near-debuts.

Debut with ITZY in 2019

After years of training and near debuts, Lee Chaeryeong's persistence finally paid off in early 2019 when JYP Entertainment unveiled their newest girl group project. The announcement marked the culmination of Chaeryeong's five-year journey as a trainee and the beginning of her career as an official K-pop idol.

The reveal of ITZY members

On January 21, 2019, JYP Entertainment officially announced their plans to debut a new girl group—their first since TWICE in 2015 and first overall idol group since Stray Kids in 2017. The anticipation for this new group was immense, especially given JYP's track record of successful female acts. The agency released a video trailer titled "PROLOGUE FILM: ITZY" through their official social media accounts, dramatically revealing both the group's name and its five members.

For fans who had followed Chaeryeong through her K-pop Star 3 and SIXTEEN appearances, seeing her included in the final lineup was a moment of validation. ITZY's formation garnered substantial attention because several members, including Chaeryeong, had already built recognition through various competition shows. Interestingly, the other members (except Lia) had appeared together on the Mnet reality show Stray Kids in 2017 as a project group.

Debut single 'Dalla Dalla'

ITZY officially debuted on February 12, 2019, with their first single album titled It'z Different, headlined by the lead track "Dalla Dalla". The music video was pre-released on February 11 at midnight Korea Standard Time, creating immediate buzz. "Dalla Dalla," meaning "Different Different" in Korean, was a bold introduction that highlighted the group's unique identity.

Produced by the music production group Galactika, the song featured a fusion of EDM genres—combining bass house verses, an electro house chorus, and a trap bridge. Lyrically, "Dalla Dalla" centered on themes of individuality, empowerment, and self-confidence with declarations like "I'm different from other kids. Don't try to measure me by your standard... I love myself, I'm somewhat different".

The debut achieved historic success. Within 24 hours of release, the music video accumulated 17.1 million views, breaking the record for the most viewed K-pop debut music video within that timeframe. JYP Entertainment confirmed it was the fastest-ever K-pop girl group debut on YouTube in the first day. Consequently, "Dalla Dalla" scored one of the biggest Billboard debuts for a new K-pop act in years, entering at number three and later peaking at number two on the World Digital Song Sales chart.

Moreover, ITZY achieved their first music show win on M Countdown just eight days after debut—setting a record for the fastest time for a girl group to achieve their first music show win. Ultimately, the song collected nine music show victories and its music video became the fastest K-pop debut music video to reach 100 million views on YouTube at that time.

Chaeryeong's role in the group

Within ITZY's dynamic, Chaeryeong was officially positioned as the group's dance specialist. This role perfectly aligned with her extensive background in dance training, including her specialized jazz dance studies in Japan. As the first member to join JYP Entertainment among the ITZY members, Chaeryeong's five years of training had prepared her for this moment.

On February 12, 2019, she officially debuted as a dancer, vocalist, and rapper in the quintet. Given her impressive technical abilities, she quickly established herself as one of the group's performance anchors. In fact, her dance background became a valuable asset to ITZY's performance-focused concept, with groupmate Lia later noting, "Our members were meant to perform. Individually, their dance skills are awesome. Even when they were trainees, their dancing skills were great".

The debut represented a full-circle moment for Chaeryeong—from her elimination on SIXTEEN to successfully debuting with another JYP girl group. Meanwhile, her sister Chaeyeon had found success with IZ*ONE, making them both active idols simultaneously.

Chaeryeong’s position and skills in ITZY

Within ITZY's five-member lineup, Lee Chaeryeong has established herself as a cornerstone of the group's performance identity, holding official positions that reflect her extensive training background. As the designated Main Dancer and Lead Vocalist, she brings technical precision and artistic expression to every ITZY performance.

Main dancer responsibilities

As ITZY's main dancer, Chaeryeong executes the group's challenging choreography with remarkable precision. Her dance training began early—starting at just age 7, she spent five years studying ballet before shifting focus to other dance styles. This classical foundation remains evident in her movements, characterized by clean lines and excellent posture.

Her technical expertise spans multiple disciplines, including her specialty in jazz dance, which she studied extensively in Japan during her trainee years. Chaeryeong often leads dance practices, demonstrates movements for other members, and handles the most technically demanding parts of ITZY's choreography.

For instance, at the 2021 KBS Song Festival, Chaeryeong performed a captivating solo dance break that showcased her sharp isolations and fluid transitions between movements. Her ability to execute complex footwork while maintaining expressive facial expressions demonstrates why she's considered among the top dancers of her K-pop generation.

Vocal and rap contributions

Beyond her dance expertise, Chaeryeong contributes significantly to ITZY's musical output as a Lead Vocalist. Her mid-range voice provides stability to the group's harmonies, typically handling supporting verses and bridge sections. Though not as frequently highlighted as the main vocalists, her clear tone and precise pitch control make her vocals instantly recognizable to fans.

Regarding her rap abilities, Chaeryeong occasionally delivers rap verses with a distinctive rhythmic style that complements her dance background. Her flow emphasizes strong beats, reflecting her dancer's instinct for rhythm. In songs like "Not Shy" and "Wannabe," her rap sections showcase both attitude and technical delivery.

Line distribution analyses reveal that while Chaeryeong doesn't typically receive the most lines in ITZY songs, her parts are often strategically placed at memorable moments, particularly those featuring intricate choreography where her dancing can simultaneously shine.

Stage presence and performance style

Perhaps most striking about Chaeryeong's performance style is her expressive face. Known for conveying emotions clearly through facial expressions, she brings characters and concepts to life—whether portraying confidence in "Dalla Dalla" or attitude in "SHOOT!" Her performance quality remains consistent from music videos to live stages, maintaining high energy throughout.

In terms of stage presence, Chaeryeong combines technical precision with genuine emotion. Unlike performers who separate technique from expression, she integrates both seamlessly. This quality makes her particularly effective at conveying ITZY's empowerment concepts, as she embodies their messages through both movement and emotion.

Fellow ITZY member Yeji once noted that Chaeryeong possesses extraordinary spatial awareness, always maintaining perfect formation regardless of stage size or configuration. This awareness, combined with her exceptional muscle control, allows her to execute even the most challenging dance sequences with apparent ease, cementing her reputation as one of K-pop's most technically proficient dancers.

Solo projects and collaborations

Beyond her contributions to ITZY, Lee Chaeryeong has gradually built a portfolio of solo artistic endeavors, showcasing her versatility as both a vocalist and creative collaborator. Throughout 2023 and 2024, she ventured into individual projects that highlight her artistic range outside the group setting.

Solo track 'Mine' from Born to Be

In late 2023, Chaeryeong released her first official solo track "Mine" as part of ITZY's eighth EP Born to Be. The song stands out with its "groovy shuffle rhythm" and "dreamy guitar sound", creating a distinctive musical identity separate from ITZY's typical high-energy sound. Notably, this release marked a significant creative milestone as Chaeryeong participated in both writing lyrics and composition for the track, demonstrating her growth as an artist beyond performance.

On December 25, 2023, a music video for "Mine" was released, giving visual expression to Chaeryeong's solo artistry. The song made a respectable chart debut, entering at number 51 on the Circle Download Chart. This achievement reflected both her personal popularity and fans' appreciation for her solo musical direction.

OST '21' for Who Is She

Expanding her solo repertoire, Chaeryeong released her first original soundtrack contribution on December 19, 2024. The track, titled "21," was created as the first part of the official soundtrack for the K-drama "Who Is She". This drama explores themes of second chances and self-discovery, following the story of a grandmother who mysteriously transforms into her younger self.

"21" showcased Chaeryeong's "emotional depth and vocal versatility", qualities that had previously received less spotlight in ITZY's performance-focused releases. The OST received positive feedback from listeners, with many "praising Chaeryeong's heartfelt delivery and the song's relatable lyrics". Fans on social media described it as "such a cute song" with others noting "the vibratos, the ad-libs, her voice".

Feature on 'Doremifasolatido'

Initially, Chaeryeong stepped into collaborative territory on June 28, 2023, when she was featured as the vocalist on "Doremifasollatido," a track from Lee Chanhyuk's (of AKMU) project album "Umbrella". This collaboration paired her vocals with the distinctive composition style of one of K-pop's most respected songwriter-producers.

The song's chorus captures a rebellious spirit with lines like "Telling me not to do something only makes me want to do it more" and "Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Si-Do, I've come to love singing more than anything". This collaboration allowed Chaeryeong to express a different vocal color and artistic sensibility compared to her ITZY performances, further establishing her versatility as a performer.

Media appearances and shows

Throughout her career with ITZY, Lee Chaeryeong has expanded her presence beyond music performances to include various television and web appearances, showcasing her versatility as an entertainer. From mentoring aspiring idols to hosting her own shows, she has steadily built her individual media portfolio.

Mentor role in Universe Ticket

In November 2023, Chaeryeong stepped into a mentorship role alongside her ITZY groupmate Yeji on SBS's reality survival series Universe Ticket. The program featured 82 idol hopefuls competing for spots in a new girl group under F&F Entertainment. As part of the judging panel dubbed "unicons" (universe icons), Chaeryeong joined a prestigious lineup of industry professionals including Kim Sejeong, Girls' Generation's Hyoyeon, vocalist Younha, La Chica's Rian, and singer-songwriter ADORA.

Beyond simply evaluating contestants, the seven unicon members provided detailed technical advice based on their expertise. The production team announced the mentorship lineup on August 21, 2023, with the show premiering in November of that year. This opportunity allowed Chaeryeong to share her extensive dance knowledge and trainee experience with a new generation of K-pop aspirants.

Web shows and hosting gigs

In addition to her mentoring work, Chaeryeong has developed her hosting skills through several web series. In 2023, she hosted Chaeryeong Goes to K University, marking her first major solo hosting project. Following this success, 2024 saw her launch Chaeryeong Make Friends, alternatively titled Chaeryeong is full and calling her friend or Full-belly Chaeryeong, Hanging Out With A Friend (채령이 배불렁 친구불렁).

The variety show began airing every Tuesday at 7PM KST starting June 11, 2024. Commonly abbreviated as Chae-Bae-Bbul (채배불) among fans, the program highlighted her personality outside the typical idol environment. Looking ahead, she's slated to appear in a 2025 web show called Life Update, further cementing her presence in the digital content space.

Cameos and reality show appearances

Before ITZY's formation, Chaeryeong made several notable television appearances that helped build her recognition. In 2017, she made a cameo appearance in episode 1 of Mnet's Stray Kids reality show alongside her future ITZY groupmates Yeji, Ryujin, and Yuna.

Her television journey actually began much earlier, first appearing on K-pop Star 3 (SBS, 2013-2014) as a contestant. This was followed by her participation in SIXTEEN (Mnet, 2015), the survival show that formed TWICE. These early appearances, coupled with her more recent hosting and mentoring roles, demonstrate her growth from contestant to mentor within the competitive K-pop television landscape.

Discography and creative credits

As a performer, Lee Chaeryeong has steadily expanded her creative footprint beyond dancing and vocal work. Her discography now includes both group activities with ITZY and emerging solo contributions that showcase her artistic growth.

Songwriting and composition

Chaeryeong took her first significant step as a songwriter on January 8, 2024, when she participated in both writing and composing her original solo track "Mine" for ITZY's eighth mini album BORN TO BE. This creative milestone marked her official entry into composition, with credits registered through the Korea Music Copyright Association's database. The song's production team included established industry professionals like Lee Woo-bin "collapsedone," Justin Reinstein, and Anna Timgren, who collaborated with Chaeryeong to bring her musical vision to life.

Interestingly, her songwriting aspirations had been evident earlier when she expressed admiration for IU's hit song "Blueming," stating, "Listening to this song impresses me, and makes me think, 'Oh, I want to write one also!'". This inspiration ultimately manifested in her first credited composition.

Music video appearances

Beyond ITZY's extensive music video catalog, Chaeryeong's solo work "Mine" received its own visual treatment, directed by the team of Lee Hye-sung and Ha Jeong-hoon from production company Hattrick. Released in December 2023, the music video has accumulated over 3.5 million views, demonstrating substantial interest in her individual artistry.

As part of ITZY, she has appeared in numerous visually striking music videos from debut single "Dalla Dalla" through releases like "Wannabe," "Not Shy," and "Sneakers." These videos have helped establish ITZY's reputation for powerful choreography and bold concepts.

Chart performance highlights

Chaeryeong's solo track "Mine" achieved a respectable position on Korea's digital charts, peaking at number 51 on the Korea Download Chart. Her OST contribution "21" for the drama Who Is She likewise entered the charts at position 138, demonstrating her growing presence as a solo artist.

Primarily, her chart successes have come through ITZY's releases. The group's debut single "Dalla Dalla" made history by peaking at number two on multiple charts including the Circle Digital Chart and Billboard's World Digital Songs chart. Subsequent singles like "Wannabe" and "Sneakers" similarly achieved top-ten positions in South Korea, with "Sneakers" reaching number five on the Circle Digital Chart.

At this point in her career, Chaeryeong continues to build her creative portfolio while contributing to ITZY's commercial success.

Fun facts and personal interests

Beyond the spotlight and rigorous performances, Lee Chaeryeong reveals a softer, more introspective side through her personal interests and preferences. These aspects of her life offer fans glimpses into the person behind ITZY's powerful main dancer.

Chaeryeong height and MBTI

Standing at approximately 167cm (5'6"), Chaeryeong maintains a dancer's physique suited for her performance-intensive role in ITZY. Her blood type is B, a detail commonly shared in K-pop profiles. First and foremost, her MBTI personality type has been consistently identified as ISFJ, though earlier assessments suggested ESFJ. This evolution possibly reflects her growth since debut. The ISFJ personality type—often called "The Defender"—typically characterizes individuals who are protective, loyal, and detail-oriented, traits that align with groupmates' descriptions of her meticulous approach to dance.

Favorite artists and genres

Musically, Chaeryeong gravitates toward emotional compositions, with ballads ranking as her favorite genre. Her admiration for senior artists runs deep, particularly Girls' Generation, whom she enthusiastically cited as her favorite K-pop group during an interview—even dancing to their hit "The Boys" when asked about her preferences. This revelation surprised her fellow ITZY members, showcasing her genuine fandom. Additionally, she enjoys the music of Justin Bieber and treasures Ne-Yo's "Because of You" as her favorite song. Interestingly, her first concert experience came when she attended PSY's free "Gangnam Style" performance with her mother.

Hobbies and personality traits

Chaeryeong's free time revolves around simple pleasures. She enjoys watching dramas and movies (particularly romantic comedies), sleeping, and savoring delicious food. Her culinary preferences include Vietnamese spring rolls and healthy options, though she tends to avoid greasy foods. As such, her motto reflects a content approach to life: "Let's be a person who knows how to be satisfied".

Personality-wise, she admits to crying easily during emotional films, especially while watching favorites like "Goblin" and "Jang Ok Jung". Among her distinctive traits, she has a habit of touching her hair and occasionally talks to herself—a quirk her members appreciate as confirmation she's "around and alive" when she spends time alone in her room.