Who Are LIGHTSUM Members? Everything About K-pop's Sweet Vanilla Debut

LIGHTSUM burst onto the K-pop scene in 2021, marking CUBE Entertainment's first girl group debut since (G)I-DLE in 2018. The eight-member group quickly captured attention with their fresh approach to K-pop, blending powerful vocals with synchronized choreography.

Since their debut with "Vanilla," LIGHTSUM members have showcased their diverse talents through multiple comebacks. The group consists of Juhyeon, Sangah, Chowon, Nayoung, Huiyeon, Hina, Yujeong, and Jian - each bringing unique skills and personalities to create their distinctive sound.

LIGHTSUM's Formation and Agency Background

In April 2021, CUBE Entertainment accelerated their plans to introduce a fresh voice to the K-pop landscape. The company, already home to successful acts like BTOB, Pentagon, and (G)I-DLE, strategically chose this timing to expand their artist roster.

CUBE Entertainment's vision

CUBE Entertainment's strategy focused on creating a distinctive presence in the competitive K-pop market. Additionally, the company broke from tradition by launching LIGHTSUM as their first idol group comprised entirely of members born in the 21st century. This decision marked a significant shift in their usual approach of maintaining age overlaps between senior and junior groups.

Group name meaning and concept

The name LIGHTSUM carries a meaningful message, combining "LIGHT" and "SUM" to represent bright lights coming together as one. Furthermore, this concept emphasizes their mission to spread positive energy and hope worldwide. The group's formation particularly stood out as it departed from CUBE's traditional pattern of alternating between male and female group debuts.

Pre-debut preparation period

The pre-debut period unfolded through a carefully orchestrated member reveal schedule:

Meanwhile, the group's formation process moved at an unprecedented pace. The final lineup was reportedly determined around December 2020, giving the members less than a year to practice together before their debut. Despite this accelerated timeline, CUBE Entertainment maintained their focus on quality preparation, culminating in the group's debut with "Vanilla" on June 10, 2021.

The pre-debut period also showcased the members' diverse backgrounds, specifically through their participation in various survival shows. Notably, Juhyeon had previously competed in The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project, while Chowon, Nayoung, and Yujeong had participated in Produce 48.

Meet the LIGHTSUM Members: Leadership Line

The leadership line of LIGHTSUM represents the backbone of the group, bringing together experience, talent, and charisma. These three members play crucial roles in shaping the group's direction and performance quality.

Juhyeon - Leader and Main Dancer

Standing at 171 cm tall, Lee Juhyeon holds the distinction of being LIGHTSUM's main dancer and lead vocalist. Born on April 8, 2004, in Seoul, South Korea, she brings an impressive seven years and four months of training experience to the group. Notably, Juhyeon demonstrates exceptional versatility in dance, mastering various elements including:

Sangah - Lead Vocalist

Yoon Sangah, born on September 4, 2002, in Incheon, South Korea, serves as the group's leader and main rapper. Standing at 168 cm, she brings a unique blend of talents to LIGHTSUM. Indeed, Sangah's leadership extends beyond her official roles, as she actively participates in various group activities and maintains strong relationships with her fellow members.

Chowon - Main Vocalist

Han Chowon, born on September 16, 2002, rounds out the leadership line as the group's main vocalist. At 168 cm tall, she demonstrates remarkable versatility in both singing and performance. Accordingly, her presence in the group's dance line, alongside Juhyeon and Sangah, showcases her comprehensive skillset. Moreover, Chowon's journey includes significant achievements in the entertainment industry, including her acting debut in the 2020 movie 'Bad Guy'.

The chemistry between these three members creates a strong foundation for the group. Subsequently, their combined talents contribute significantly to LIGHTSUM's performances, with Sangah and Chowon often sharing playful moments that strengthen their bond. Consequently, their leadership helps maintain the group's cohesive dynamic and professional growth.

LIGHTSUM's Vocal Powerhouses

Vocal talent stands as one of LIGHTSUM's defining strengths, with members showcasing their abilities through various musical styles and performances. The group's vocal line demonstrates remarkable versatility in both studio recordings and live stages.

Nayoung - Lead Vocalist

Kim Nayoung, born in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, brings exceptional vocal prowess to LIGHTSUM as the main vocalist and lead dancer. Her journey in entertainment began early, with appearances in notable productions like SBS' 'Bravo My Life' and tvN's 'Where is Mr. Kim Season 2'. Notably, her powerful vocals shine through in tracks like "Alive," where she masterfully conveys emotional depth through her performances.

Huiyeon - Lead Vocalist

Oh Huiyeon served as a sub-vocalist during her time with LIGHTSUM until October 2022. Although her tenure with the group was brief, she contributed significantly to their early releases. Her background as a figure skater, complete with two awards in the sport, translated into graceful stage presence that complemented her vocal abilities.

Notable vocal performances

The group's vocal capabilities are particularly evident in their discography:

"Vanilla" - Their debut single showcased the group's vocal harmonies and stable live performances

"Light a Wish" - This release highlighted their:

Throughout their performances, LIGHTSUM demonstrates a unique blend of soft and powerful vocal delivery. As main vocalist Nayoung explains, "Our performances are both soft and powerful, but there is definitely that positive energy to it". Their vocal arrangements often feature intricate harmonies, especially noticeable in tracks like "Popcorn," where energy soars high through their combined vocal prowess.

The group's commitment to live vocal performance sets them apart, as evidenced by their dedication to avoiding AR (Auto-Recorded) stages. This commitment to authenticity allows each member to showcase their individual vocal colors while maintaining cohesive group harmony.

Dance and Performance Specialists

Performance excellence stands as a cornerstone of LIGHTSUM's identity, with dedicated dance specialists bringing unique flair to their choreographies. The group's dynamic stage presence continues to evolve through their innovative dance routines and captivating performances.

Hina - Main Dancer

Japanese member Nagai Hina, born on April 7, 2003, brings exceptional dance skills to LIGHTSUM. In fact, her background at MARU Dance Studio laid a strong foundation for her current role as a sub vocalist. Her dedication to improvement shows through her recent focus on vocal development, coupled with her natural dance abilities. As Hina explains, "I personally love my part where I dance while pointing my eyes, during the line 'keep your eyes on me'".

Yujeong - Lead Dancer

Lee Yujeong, born June 14, 2004, serves as both sub vocalist and the group's maknae (youngest member). Her impressive background includes:

Nevertheless, Yujeong's commitment to dance excellence shines through her approach to challenging choreography. "This choreography required us to use the body's line effectively, which made it a little challenging. Therefore, I practiced a lot to demonstrate these features when dancing".

Group's dance style

LIGHTSUM's performance style seamlessly blends three distinct concepts:

The group's versatility becomes apparent in their latest performances, where they transition from vibrant, sporty jean outfits to intense leather-clad concepts. Similarly, their dance routines incorporate both powerful group formations and intricate solo moments. Their dedication to perfection shows in every performance, as evidenced by their recent comeback "Honey or Spice," where they masterfully executed complex choreographies.

Their evolution as performers continues to impress audiences worldwide, with their dance sequences often featuring synchronized movements that highlight each member's strengths. The group's energy reaches its peak during ensemble dance breaks, where both main dancers and vocalists unite to create powerful stage moments.

Getting to Know Maknae Line

The youngest members of LIGHTSUM, known as the maknae line, have played a pivotal role in shaping the group's identity through their unique contributions and dynamic personalities.

Jian - Youngest Member

Initially, Kim Ji-an (지안) held the position of maknae in LIGHTSUM, having been born on November 4, 2006. Her notable characteristics included:

Notably, as one of the youngest K-pop idols at debut, Jian faced certain restrictions, such as limited night activities after 10:00 PM.

Group dynamics

The maknae line shared remarkable chemistry within LIGHTSUM's structure. Originally, the younger members occupied the largest bedroom in the group's dormitory. Their relationships were characterized by mutual support and understanding, as evidenced by their approach to resolving differences through group discussions in their living room.

Role distribution

After October 25, 2022, LIGHTSUM underwent significant changes in its structure. The role distribution shifted as follows:

Ultimately, Yujeong stepped into the maknae role, bringing her own unique qualities to the position. Born on June 14, 2004, she contributes diverse talents to the group:

The transition marked a new chapter in LIGHTSUM's journey, with the remaining members adapting to their revised roles seamlessly. Afterward, the group maintained its commitment to delivering powerful performances while nurturing strong interpersonal bonds among members.

Members' Pre-Debut Activities

Several LIGHTSUM members embarked on their K-pop journey through notable survival shows, marking their presence in the industry even before their official debut. Their diverse experiences shaped the foundation of what would ultimately become one of CUBE Entertainment's promising girl groups.

Survival show experiences

The members' competitive journey included participation in multiple high-profile shows. Chowon's story notably stands out in Produce 48, where she initially ranked 13th place. However, following investigations, it was revealed that she had actually achieved 6th place but was affected by the show's voting manipulation scandal. First thing to remember, both Nayoung and Yujeong also participated in Produce 48, securing 21st and 51st places respectively.

Training period highlights

The members' dedication becomes evident through their extensive training periods:

Previous entertainment experience

In essence, each member brought unique experiences from various entertainment sectors. Nayoung, rather impressively, passed auditions for multiple prestigious agencies, including FNC Entertainment, Woollim Entertainment, and Source Music. Certainly, Huiyeon's journey stands out as she successfully cleared first-round auditions at P-Nation, JYP Entertainment, and Snowball Entertainment.

The members' determination shines through their pre-debut activities. Hina attended a dance academy specializing in K-pop covers, whereas Huiyeon initially trained as an actress. Generally, these diverse backgrounds contributed to their comprehensive skill set as performers.

Their pre-debut period proved transformative, as expressed by Yujeong: "When I was just a trainee, I just did what I had to do. However, after being part of a survival programme, my dream was to become a winner and I became more ambitious". This sentiment echoes through other members' experiences, with Chowon noting how survival shows helped her gain confidence in meeting new people.

Group Chemistry and Dynamics

Life within LIGHTSUM reveals a tapestry of unique personalities and close bonds that extend beyond their stage presence. The group's chemistry developed naturally through shared experiences and daily interactions, creating a harmonious blend of professional dedication and personal connections.

Member relationships

The group's formation in 2020 marked the beginning of their journey together, with members gradually building stronger bonds through practice sessions and performances. Notably, Chowon demonstrates her understanding of fellow members through her ability to associate each with distinct fragrances and colors. She describes Juhyeon as having a vanilla scent with ivory tones, while Sangah embodies a unisex fragrance with navy blue undertones.

Dorm life stories

LIGHTSUM's dormitory arrangement reflects their close-knit dynamics:

Life in the dorm reveals fascinating personality traits:

Behind-the-scenes moments

Undoubtedly, the group's most endearing moments emerge during their casual interactions. Nayoung's cooking adventures stand out, particularly when she prepared mayak eggs and rice for Juhyeon - a meal that sparked playful debate about portion sizes. Altogether, these shared experiences strengthen their bond, with members supporting each other through various challenges.

The group's chemistry shines through their practice sessions, where they spend countless hours perfecting choreographies and vocals. Markedly, their preparation for "Vanilla" kept them so busy that they barely spent time in their new dormitory during the first two months. Forthwith, this dedication to perfection became a cornerstone of their group identity, with each member contributing unique qualities to their collective dynamic.

Their relationship extends beyond professional boundaries, as evidenced by Chowon's thoughtful analysis of each member's personality through scents and colors. She associates Nayoung with lemon fragrance and yellow hues, while envisioning Hina with soapy scents and pristine white tones.

LIGHTSUM's Debut Preparation

The path to LIGHTSUM's debut involved months of rigorous preparation, as CUBE Entertainment meticulously crafted every aspect of their newest girl group's introduction to the K-pop world. Straightaway after finalizing the eight-member lineup, the group embarked on an intensive journey toward their June 2021 debut.

Training regimen

In preparation for their debut, LIGHTSUM members dedicated themselves to a demanding schedule that often extended past midnight. The training routine encompassed:

Notwithstanding the challenges, main dancer Juhyeon demonstrated exceptional progress through her solo performance of "Morning" by Teyana Taylor, while Chowon and Sangah showcased their synchronized abilities in group practices.

Concept development

At this point in their journey, CUBE Entertainment strategically developed the group's debut concept around "Vanilla," a teen pop and dance-pop song composed in the key of A major with a tempo of 120 beats per minute. The concept development phase focused on creating a distinctive identity that would set LIGHTSUM apart in the competitive K-pop landscape.

In light of their youthful energy, the creative team designed a concept that emphasized:

Music video filming

The music video production for "Vanilla" took place in early 2021, with filming occurring at multiple locations including a specially designed dessert shop set. The visual narrative centered around the members exploring various sweet-themed settings, analogous to their group's fresh concept.

The filming process incorporated several key elements:

Lastly, the group's dedication during this period was evident in their packed schedule, which included content creation, photoshoots, and numerous practice sessions. Their commitment paid off when they successfully completed their debut showcase, where they demonstrated remarkable professionalism in their live vocal performances.

The preparation period culminated in their official debut on June 10, 2021, with a performance on Mnet's M Countdown. This marked the beginning of their promotional activities, which included appearances on three major music programs: KBS's Music Bank, MBC's Show! Music Core, and SBS's Inkigayo.