Riina H1-KEY's Journey: Behind the Spotlight

Riina H1-KEY has built her K-pop career through persistence and dedication, debuting with the four-member girl group on January 5, 2022, with their first single album "Athletic Girl". Before joining Grandline Group, she was a trainee for 2 years and 5 months while participating in the survival show Produce 48.

Despite ranking 73rd and being eliminated in episode 5 of Produce 48, Riina (born Lee Seung Hyeon on February 21, 2001) continued pursuing her dreams. Standing at 172 cm tall, this talented performer later competed in Mnet's "Queendom Puzzle" in 2023. Additionally, fans may recognize her from her previous experience as a former member of Ggumnamu under WM Entertainment. Her journey reflects her personal motto: "You have no regrets when you work hard".

Riina’s Basic Profile at a Glance

Looking beyond the spotlight, Riina's personal details reveal the foundation of this rising K-pop star. Her profile combines both public information and the unique characteristics that shape her identity as an artist and individual.

Full name, stage name, and birthdate

Born as Lee Seung Hyeon, Riina chose a stage name that would become recognizable in the competitive K-pop industry. The name "Riina" carries a distinctive sound that helps her stand out among fellow idols. Her birth certificate marks February 21, 2001, as her entrance into the world, making her an Aquarius by Western zodiac standards. This water-bearer sign is often associated with originality and independence—traits that have served her well throughout her journey in the entertainment industry.

The choice of a single-name stage identity (Riina) rather than using her birth name reflects a common practice among K-pop idols who select names that are memorable and internationally accessible. As a member of H1-KEY, her stage name has become inseparable from the group's identity since their debut.

Riina H1-KEY height, weight, and MBTI

Standing at an impressive 172 cm (approximately 5'8"), Riina is notably tall for a female K-pop idol, giving her a striking presence on stage. This height advantage contributes to her elegant silhouette during performances and helps her command attention in group choreographies. Like many idols, her weight is not regularly disclosed in official profiles, as the industry has become increasingly conscious about shifting focus away from physical measurements.

Regarding her personality type, Riina identifies with the INFP personality type according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). INFPs are often characterized as idealistic, creative individuals with strong values and a desire for authenticity. These traits align well with her artistic pursuits and dedication to improvement throughout her career. Her INFP tendencies likely contribute to her expressive performance style and creative approach to her craft.

Nationality and blood type

Riina holds South Korean nationality, which is evident in her cultural background and educational history in Seoul. Her Korean heritage forms an integral part of her identity as she represents her country on domestic and international stages through her performances with H1-KEY.

In South Korean pop culture, blood type is often mentioned in idol profiles due to a cultural belief that blood types may influence personality traits. However, Riina's blood type has not been prominently featured in her public profiles. This detail, along with certain other personal information, maintains a boundary between her public persona and private life—a balance that many K-pop idols strive to maintain in an industry known for its intense scrutiny.

The combination of these basic profile elements—her name, physical attributes, personality type, and nationality—creates the foundation upon which Riina has built her career. Furthermore, these characteristics influence how fans perceive her and how she presents herself as both an individual and as a valued member of H1-KEY.

Early Life and Education

The roots of Riina's artistic journey trace back to Dongjak-gu, a vibrant district in Seoul where she was born as Lee Seung-hyeon on February 21, 2001. Growing up in South Korea's capital city provided her with abundant exposure to the country's thriving entertainment industry from an early age.

Childhood in Seoul

Life in Seoul shaped Riina's formative years, surrounding her with urban culture and the ever-present influence of Korean pop music. Her childhood unfolded in the bustling metropolis that serves as the epicenter of K-pop and entertainment. Although official details about her family life remain mostly private, her Seoul upbringing clearly influenced her eventual career path. Living in such a media-rich environment fostered her early interest in performance and broadcasting.

Essentially, the seeds of her future career were planted early as she absorbed the sights and sounds of Korea's entertainment capital. Her connection to Seoul remains fundamental to her identity as an artist, reflecting the city's dynamic energy in her performances with H1-KEY.

Schools attended and major

Riina's educational journey reveals her consistent pursuit of artistic development:

Elementary education: Seoul Gangnam Elementary School
Middle school: Sanghyun Middle School
High school: Seoul Performing Arts High School, Department of Theater and Film
University: Sungshin Women's University

Her attendance at Seoul Performing Arts High School marks a significant commitment to her artistic development. This prestigious institution specializes in nurturing performance talent, providing students with both academic education and specialized training in their chosen artistic fields. Throughout her time there, Riina shared classrooms with other future K-pop idols, including DreamNote's Sumin, Rocket Punch's Suyun, ALICE's Karin, and Kim Minju.

The selection of Theater and Film as her focus area at the performing arts school indicates her early intention to pursue a career in entertainment. This specialized education equipped her with fundamental skills in performance, stage presence, and artistic expression that would prove valuable in her future as an idol.

First exposure to K-pop

Riina's fascination with K-pop began remarkably early in life. As a kindergartner, she spent countless hours watching music videos by Girls' Generation (SNSD), absorbing their performances and stage presence. This early exposure to one of K-pop's most influential groups ignited her passion for performing.

In fact, her ambition manifested clearly even at this young age. During a kindergarten assignment where children were asked to draw themselves ten years in the future, Riina sketched herself singing at the center of a group. This childhood drawing proved remarkably prophetic of her future career with H1-KEY.

Beyond her interest in K-pop specifically, Riina developed a broader appreciation for media and broadcasting from a young age. She often expressed admiration for studios, television production, and radio broadcasting. This holistic interest in entertainment media complemented her performing aspirations, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the industry she would eventually enter.

Throughout her childhood and education, these early exposures to entertainment shaped her aspirations and set her on the path that would eventually lead to her debut as a K-pop idol. The foundation built during these formative years in Seoul provided Riina with both the dream and the determination to pursue a career in the spotlight.

Training Years and Pre-Debut Journey

Riina's path to becoming a K-pop idol involved years of rigorous training and several pivotal experiences that shaped her into the performer she is today. Her journey reflects the challenging reality many aspiring idols face in the competitive Korean entertainment industry.

Time at WM Entertainment

Initially joining WM Entertainment in 2016, Riina (then known by her birth name Lee Seung-hyeon) embarked on a formal training path that would last approximately six years before her eventual debut. At WM, she underwent intensive development in singing, dancing, and stage presence—the core skills required for any aspiring idol.

Throughout her time at the agency, Riina dedicated herself to rigorous practice schedules alongside other trainees. This period proved formative for her performance style and artistic identity. WM Entertainment, known for housing successful groups like B1A4, OH MY GIRL, and ONF, provided structured training that helped refine her natural talents.

Her persistence at WM Entertainment culminated in a training period of 2 years and 5 months prior to her participation in Produce 48. This substantial investment of time demonstrates the commitment required to pursue a career in K-pop, where trainees often spend years preparing for a debut opportunity that isn't guaranteed.

Experience in Ggumnamu

As part of her development at WM Entertainment, Riina became a member of the agency's pre-debut team called "Ggumnamu". This trainee group served as a stepping stone for promising talents at the company, allowing them to gain experience performing together and developing group chemistry.

Being part of Ggumnamu gave Riina valuable opportunities to practice in a group setting—an essential experience for someone aspiring to debut in a K-pop girl group. The team maintained an Instagram account where fans could follow their progress, creating an early connection with potential supporters.

Significantly, in November 2021, all of Riina's posts on the Ggumnamu Instagram account were deleted. This digital removal signaled her departure from both the trainee team and WM Entertainment as she prepared to move in a new direction with her career. Shortly after leaving WM, she would accept an offer to join H1-KEY under Grandline Group, spending just one week as a trainee there before committing to debut.

Audition stories and early dreams

The seeds of Riina's idol journey were planted long before her formal training began. "I've always loved dancing since I was young, maybe even before I was an elementary student," she revealed in an interview. Those early interests would eventually lead her to take concrete steps toward her dream.

A pivotal moment came during her middle school years when she auditioned for SM Entertainment—one of Korea's largest and most prestigious entertainment companies. This experience proved transformative: "When I was in middle school, I actually had the chance to audition for SM Entertainment, and that's when I became passionate about my dreams. That was when I decided to pursue my career as an idol," Riina explained.

Her childhood fascination with Girls' Generation clearly influenced these early aspirations. She often watched their performances and danced along, imagining herself one day following in their footsteps. This visualization of her future self would ultimately manifest through years of training and persistence.

After leaving WM Entertainment and her time in Ggumnamu, Riina's journey took an unexpected turn. Upon hearing about H1-KEY's upcoming debut, she received an offer to join the group. In contrast to her lengthy training at WM, she spent just one week at Grandline Group before accepting the opportunity that would finally bring her dream to reality.

Produce 48: Her First Public Step

In 2018, Riina (then known by her birth name Lee Seung-hyeon) stepped into the spotlight for the first time on Mnet's survival show "Produce 48." This watershed moment marked her transition from behind-the-scenes trainee to a contestant on one of Korea's most prominent idol development platforms.

Performance highlights

Throughout her time on the competition, Riina represented WM Entertainment alongside fellow trainees. Her first major performance on the show featured the song "Shower," where she performed with other WM trainees including Lee Chaeyeon and Cho Yeongin. This collaborative stage showcased her potential as a performer and introduced her to a nationwide audience.

Perhaps her most notable moment came when she performed TWICE's "Like OOH-AHH" (Japanese version) with Team 1 'Pop'. For this stage, Riina secured the coveted center position—a significant accomplishment that highlighted both her dancing abilities and stage presence. This central role demonstrated the confidence her teammates had in her performance capabilities, particularly given the competitive nature of the show.

Ranking and elimination

Riina's journey on "Produce 48" can be traced through her evaluation rankings:

• First evaluation: B rank

• Second evaluation: C rank

• Episode 5 ranking: 73rd place

Unfortunately, her 73rd place ranking in episode 5 led to her elimination from the competition. At this point, she had to bid farewell to her dreams of joining the final project group that would later become IZ*ONE.

Interestingly, this elimination came after she had trained for precisely 2 years and 5 months, underscoring the often unpredictable nature of the K-pop industry regardless of preparation time.

Lessons learned from the show

Even though Riina's time on "Produce 48" was relatively brief, the experience provided invaluable exposure and professional development. The show's rigorous evaluation system, conducted by industry professionals, offered her direct feedback on areas for improvement in singing, dancing, and overall performance quality.

Moreover, participating in a high-profile survival show gave her firsthand experience with television production, camera work, and performing under pressure—skills that would serve her well in her future career. The national platform also introduced her to viewers who would later recognize her when she debuted with H1-KEY.

For many eliminated contestants, including Riina, these survival shows often become stepping stones toward eventual debuts. After her elimination, she continued training with WM Entertainment as part of their trainee team WM Ggumnamu before eventually finding her path to debut with H1-KEY under a different agency.

The "Produce 48" experience, while challenging, undoubtedly contributed to her growth as a performer and provided her first taste of the spotlight that would later become her professional home.

Debut with H1-KEY and Rise to Fame

After years of training and her Produce 48 experience, Riina's persistence finally paid off as she seized the opportunity to debut professionally in the K-pop industry. Her journey from trainee to idol exemplifies the determination required to succeed in this competitive field.

Joining Grandline Group

Following her departure from WM Entertainment and the Ggumnamu pre-debut team, Riina made a pivotal career move. In a surprising turn of events, she spent just one week as a trainee at Grandline Group (GLG) before accepting the offer to debut. This rapid transition marked a stark contrast to her six previous years of training, demonstrating how quickly opportunities can materialize in the K-pop industry.

The newly-established K-Pop sub-label of Grandline Entertainment announced plans to debut their new girl group on January 5, 2022. For Riina, this represented the culmination of her long-held dreams dating back to her kindergarten days. The group's name, H1-KEY (pronounced "high-key"), was chosen to convey a sense of confident and healthy beauty.

Debut with 'Athletic Girl'

On January 5, 2022, H1-KEY officially stepped into the K-pop scene with their debut single album "Athletic Girl". The four-member group held a press showcase on the same day, followed by their broadcast debut on KBS2's Music Bank on January 7.

Remarkably, H1-KEY achieved considerable success for a rookie group from a smaller company. Their debut music video surpassed 10 million views on YouTube just over two weeks after its release. The debut song's reception extended internationally as "Athletic Girl" topped iTunes Top K-Pop Songs Chart in nine regions, including Turkey, Vietnam, Australia, the UK, Canada, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the United States.

Music critics noted the confidence and self-pride messaging in the lyrics, with one reviewer stating: "One of these reasons has to be the confident attitude and vibe that the song exudes". The group's strong vocal capabilities and rap skills were also highlighted as promising aspects of their debut performance.

Transition to Choi Creative Lab

After building their foundation at GLG, H1-KEY underwent a significant change in management. On July 28, 2025, Choi Creative Lab announced, "We recently signed an exclusive contract with H1-KEY. We ask for your continued love and support as H1-KEY begins the second chapter of their journey".

This transition marked the beginning of what the agency called "Act 2" for the group. By this point, H1-KEY had established themselves with several successful releases, including their breakthrough hit "Rose Blossom," which topped music charts and entered YouTube Music's weekly global Top 100.

The move to Choi Creative Lab came after H1-KEY's fourth mini-album "LOVESTRUCK!" was jointly produced by GLG and Choi Creative Lab, suggesting a gradual transition between agencies. For Riina, this new chapter represented an opportunity to continue growing as an artist under different management while maintaining the group's established identity and momentum.

Throughout these career developments, Riina's journey from Produce 48 contestant to established idol demonstrates her resilience and dedication to her craft, qualities that continue to define her presence in H1-KEY.

Queendom Puzzle and Competitive Growth

In 2023, Riina took another bold step in her career by participating in Mnet's survival show "Queendom Puzzle," alongside fellow H1-KEY member Hwiseo. This new competition presented a chance for established idols to reinvent themselves and potentially join a global project girl group.

Initial rankings and performances

At the start of the competition, Riina faced an uphill battle. She was placed in Tier 4, the lowest rank out of four tiers based on music show wins and album sales. Nevertheless, she entered with confidence, describing herself with hashtags like "#HumanVitamin" and "#Alpaca".

Her first impression on viewers was strong—in a pre-show popularity poll, she ranked 3rd among all contestants with 268 votes, despite being "evil edited" in the preview. Yet her actual performance journey began with challenges. In the crucial "Up Down Battle," Riina performed a mix of H1-KEY's "Rose Blossom" and TWICE Nayeon's "POP!" but received only 8 "Up" votes against 19 "Down" votes after experiencing a voice crack. This result moved her up slightly to Tier 3.

Team battles and eliminations

As the competition progressed, Riina was selected by contestant Bora to join the "PICK" team. She performed "SNAP" with her PICK-CAT team, showcasing her abilities alongside established idols like Yeoreum (WJSN) and Yeeun (CLC).

For the Remix Battle, she was assigned to Team "Red Queen," performing BLACKPINK's "Shut Down." Unfortunately, her team finished last with only 152 votes from the audience. Refusing to give up, Riina voluntarily joined the Puzzle Team for the All-Rounder Battle.

Her perseverance paid off when she performed ITZY's "Wannabe" in the vocal-rap category, helping her sub-combination win against the Queendom Team. This marked her first and only round victory throughout the competition.

Final rank and fan reactions

In the first global voting round, Riina secured 15th place with 211,859 votes. She proceeded to the semi-finals, performing "PUZZLIN" with her sub-combination. Ultimately, Riina was eliminated in episode 9, finishing in 18th place with 275,835 votes.

Despite her elimination, many fans defended Riina against what they perceived as unfair "evil editing" by Mnet. One controversial moment showed her appearing "pissed off" after another contestant's celebration. Korean netizens debated the wisdom of H1-KEY members participating in the show so early in their group's career, with some arguing smaller agencies like Grandline Group might find it difficult to refuse opportunities from major networks like Mnet.

Personality, Hobbies, and Style

Beyond her professional achievements, Riina's unique personality, personal interests, and aesthetic preferences offer a glimpse into the person behind the performer. These elements help fans connect with her on a deeper level and reveal the authentic individual within the carefully crafted K-pop image.

MBTI evolution and traits

Riina's personality type has evolved throughout her career, shifting from ESFJ to her current ESTJ-A classification. This evolution reflects her growth as both a person and performer. As an ESTJ, she embodies qualities of organization, practicality, and directness—traits that serve her well in the structured world of K-pop.

Previously identified as an ESFJ, she displayed the warm, friendly, and reliable characteristics typical of this personality type. ESFJs are known for putting others' needs before their own, a quality still evident in how she interacts with groupmates and fans. Her fellow H1-KEY member Seoi describes Riina as "easy-going, attentive, and warm-hearted", confirming these inherent traits regardless of her MBTI classification.

Interestingly, Riina herself identifies her most charming point as "her droopy eyes when she smiles", showcasing her self-awareness and attention to the distinctive features that make her stand out among idols.

Hobbies like diary writing and walking

Unlike some of her bandmates, Riina enjoys going out during her free time. Her documented hobbies include:

Watching movies for relaxation and inspiration
Taking walks to clear her mind and stay active
Writing diaries regularly as a form of self-expression

The diary writing habit particularly reveals her reflective nature and desire to document her experiences. This practice likely helps her process the whirlwind reality of idol life while preserving memories from her journey.

Fashion preferences and favorite colors

Regarding personal style, Riina gravitates toward simplicity and functionality. She prefers looking "fit and simple" rather than excessive or overly complicated fashion. Her bandmate Seoi has described Riina's style as casual, with a preference for darker colors over bright ones.

When it comes to color preferences, Riina consistently favors black, pink, and purple. This color palette reflects a balance between sophistication (black) and playful femininity (pink and purple)—mirroring the duality present in many aspects of her public persona.

Seoi has furthermore identified Riina's charms as "being sexy and pretty" along with her "easy-going personality". This combination of attributes contributes to her unique appeal within H1-KEY, where each member brings distinctive qualities to create a balanced group dynamic.

Fun Facts and Relationships

Behind the stage presence and professional accomplishments of Riina H1-KEY lies a personality filled with endearing quirks and meaningful connections. These personal details help fans understand the idol beyond her performances.

Nicknames and favorite foods

Among H1-KEY members and fans, Riina answers to several affectionate nicknames that reflect her character. She's commonly called "Sseum," "Danhobag" (which translates to Sweet Pumpkin), and "Alpaca". Her groupmate Seoi adds even more terms of endearment, often referring to Riina as "honey" or simply "Paca". Furthermore, Riina has embraced these monikers, even describing herself as "the vitamin of her group"—a testament to her energetic presence.

Regarding culinary preferences, Riina enjoys simple pleasures. She particularly savors pretzels and has a special fondness for pastries filled with red bean. Occasionally, these food choices become conversation starters during fan meetings and interviews, giving glimpses into her everyday life.

Friendships with idols like Lee Chaeyeon

Throughout her career, Riina has formed genuine connections with fellow performers in the K-pop industry. Most notably, she maintains a close friendship with Lee Chaeyeon, whom she likely bonded with during their shared experiences on Produce 48. Likewise, she has developed a friendship with Queenz Eye's Wonchae.

Interestingly, her network extends back to her educational years. As a student at Seoul Performing Arts High School, Riina shared classrooms with several future idols, including DreamNote's Sumin, Rocket Punch's Suyun, ALICE's Karin, and Kim Minju. These early connections highlight how the K-pop training system often brings together talents who later debut in different groups.

Her love for alpacas and coffee

Perhaps most distinctive among Riina's personal traits is her passionate affection for alpacas. This attachment runs deep enough that she reportedly "becomes frustrated when someone says bad things about alpacas". This endearing quirk has become part of her public persona.

Simultaneously, Riina identifies as a dedicated coffee enthusiast. Yet unlike many K-pop idols who favor the ubiquitous iced americano, she prefers other coffee varieties. This small detail illustrates her willingness to follow her own preferences even within industry trends.