Who is Wonhee? The Untold Story Behind ILLIT's Rising Star

Wonhee took the K-pop world by storm despite having one of the shortest training periods in the industry—just 11 weeks and one day. Scouted by HYBE at an Express Bus Terminal station less than a month before the start of the survival show R U Next?, her journey to stardom happened at lightning speed compared to typical idol trajectories.

During the show, Wonhee quickly captured attention with her natural talent and charming personality, ultimately ranking 1st overall in the finale. This impressive achievement secured her position in ILLIT, who made their debut on March 25, 2024, with the mini album "Super Real Me". Born on June 26, 2007, Wonhee was already popular in her middle school for being pretty and having a fun personality before entering the entertainment industry. Although she initially showed some limitations in dance skills due to her minimal training, many netizens recognized her potential as a vocalist based on her natural abilities. From serving as gym class president in school to becoming one of K-pop's freshest faces, Wonhee's meteoric rise continues to fascinate fans around the world.

Early Life and Background

Lee Wonhee, professionally known as Wonhee, began her journey in Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea, where she was born on June 26, 2007. This vibrant coastal city would only serve as her birthplace for a short time, as her life would soon take her to new locations across the country.

Where was Wonhee born?

Contrary to some reports suggesting Gyeonggi or Namyangju as her birthplace, more reliable sources confirm that Wonhee was born in Busan's Sasangguk district. This confusion about her birthplace stems from her family's relocations during her childhood years. While she started her life in Busan, her family subsequently moved to Changwon during her elementary school years, a significant change that would shape her early development and educational path.

Her family and childhood

Wonhee comes from a close-knit family consisting of her parents and an older brother born in 2006. Interestingly, she is also related to Hwang Suji, who is her cousin. Unlike many K-pop idols who began training from a very young age, Wonhee had a relatively normal childhood. In fact, she revealed that although she had always wanted to "try" being an idol, she "had never went to a dance academy or trained in any serious way" before being discovered.

During her school years, Wonhee showed leadership qualities and athletic prowess by serving as the head of the sports department. This active lifestyle and natural confidence would later serve her well during her unexpectedly rapid journey into the entertainment industry.

Education journey and school transfers

Wonhee's educational path reflects her family's relocations. She initially attended Myeongjin Elementary School before transferring to Changwon Yongho Elementary School, which she eventually graduated from. Following this, she continued her education at Changwon Bansong Girls' Middle School.

Her high school journey took an unexpected turn when she dropped out of Changwon Girls' High School to pursue her newfound career in entertainment. Furthermore, after joining ILLIT, Wonhee passed the transfer admission exam for Hanlim Multi Art School's practical music department, a prestigious institution known for educating many K-pop idols. She currently attends this school, balancing her academic responsibilities with her rapidly growing career as an idol.

This educational trajectory, marked by several transfers and ultimately a specialized arts education, reflects the adaptability that would become characteristic of Wonhee's remarkable journey to stardom.

The Road to Becoming an Idol

Fate intervened unexpectedly for Wonhee in February 2023 when a chance encounter at a Seoul bus terminal changed the trajectory of her life forever.

How Wonhee was scouted by HYBE

Wonhee never actively pursued becoming an idol. In fact, whenever classmates suggested she audition for entertainment companies, she would dismiss the idea, once responding, "How can I be an idol?". Nevertheless, destiny had other plans for her.

While visiting Seoul from Changwon, Wonhee was approached by a HYBE representative at an Express Bus Terminal Station. She recalled the encounter: "I was looking for a subway station when a man approached me. He said he wanted me to join his agency, but he didn't give me a business card at first, so I got suspicious". Understandably cautious, she thought it might be a scam since the person only asked for her phone number without providing credentials.

After requesting proper contact information and learning about a potential survival audition opportunity, Wonhee consulted with her parents. Together, they decided "it was worth it to try", a decision that would swiftly transform her life.

Her short training period before debut

Remarkably, Wonhee's pre-debut training period was extraordinarily brief compared to industry standards. She trained for merely 11 weeks and one day before her debut, approximately two months. This extraordinarily short preparation time is practically unheard of in the K-pop industry, where trainees typically spend years honing their skills.

During her audition for HYBE, Wonhee performed NewJeans' "Hype Boy", showcasing her natural talent despite minimal formal training. As she admitted herself, she "had never went to a dance academy or trained in any serious way" prior to being scouted.

Participation in R U Next?

Just one month after joining BELIFT LAB, Wonhee was cast in JTBC's survival show "R U Next?", which aired for ten episodes from June 30 through September 1, 2023. The show featured 22 contestants competing for spots in a six-member girl group under BELIFT Lab.

Throughout the competition, Wonhee demonstrated remarkable growth. In the first round, she performed aespa's "Dreams Come True" and received a Mid Level ranking. Despite facing criticism for her lack of skills due to minimal training, her natural charm and dedicated work ethic resonated with viewers.

Consequently, in a stunning turn of events that surprised many industry observers, Wonhee secured first place in the finale with an impressive 3,299,395 points. This unexpected victory secured her position as the first officially confirmed member of what would become ILLIT.

Debut and Rise with ILLIT

After her impressive first-place finish on "R U Next?", Wonhee officially embarked on her professional career as part of ILLIT, marking the beginning of what would quickly become a remarkable success story.

Debut date and album: Super Real Me

ILLIT made their highly anticipated debut on March 25, 2024, with the release of their first mini album "Super Real Me". The album featured four tracks including the lead single "Magnetic," alongside "My World," "Midnight Fiction," and "Lucky Girl Syndrome". This debut collection was designed to capture authentic teenage experiences, with each song showcasing different aspects of the members' perspectives. The whimsical and witty identity of ILLIT shines through particularly in "Magnetic," which depicts the candid confidence of a teenage girl approaching her crush.

Remarkably, the debut album achieved extraordinary success, selling over 380,000 physical copies worldwide in its first week. By the end of April 2024, sales had surpassed 500,000 copies, establishing a new record for first-week sales of a K-pop girl group debut album.

Wonhee's role in ILLIT

Within ILLIT's five-member lineup (alongside Yunah, Minju, Moka, and Iroha), Wonhee occupies a unique position. Even though she is actually the second youngest member, she both looks and behaves like the maknae (youngest member), leading her groupmates to treat her as such. Her playful personality makes her a frequent target for teasing by other members, who enjoy her animated reactions.

Additionally, Wonhee has taken on MC responsibilities, introducing the team's performances at events such as "The Show", demonstrating her growing confidence as a performer.

First win and public reception

ILLIT achieved their first music show victory remarkably quickly. On April 2, 2024, just one week after their debut, they took home the trophy on SBS MTV's "The Show" with "Magnetic," scoring 6,904 points. This emotional milestone brought the members to tears as they hugged and encouraged each other.

"Magnetic" enjoyed extraordinary chart success, reaching sixth place on the Melon daily chart and topping the Bugs daily chart for two consecutive days. The song made history by becoming the first K-pop debut song to enter both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Official Singles Top 100 charts. "Super Real Me" additionally charted on major U.S. Billboard charts for 12 consecutive weeks, cementing ILLIT's status as a groundbreaking rookie group.

Personality, Hobbies, and Fun Facts

Beyond her rising stardom, Wonhee's vibrant personality and unique quirks have captured fans' hearts worldwide.

MBTI and personality traits

Wonhee's MBTI type is ISFP, often called "The Adventurer". This perfectly reflects her ambiguous nature—she describes herself as both timid yet remarkably active. Her groupmates, notably Iroha, adore her for her youthful demeanor and cute mannerisms. Moreover, Wonhee possesses a bright, positive personality filled with laughter. Interestingly, she displays a fascinating mix of emotional and rational traits, often feeling things deeply yet approaching situations with surprising practicality.

Favorite foods, animals, and colors

Regarding culinary preferences, Wonhee has quite specific tastes. She particularly loves bibimbap, explaining she would choose it if limited to one food forever because it provides diverse nutrients. She enjoys blueberry-flavored ice cream and garlic bread, coupled with a notable dislike for cucumber, olives, and mint chocolate. As for animals, cats and sea otters top her list of favorites. Her preferred colors are sky blue and ivory.

Unique habits and quirks

One distinctive habit Wonhee mentions wanting to change is her sleep talking. On one occasion, she reportedly sat up and spoke clearly while sleeping, with no memory of it afterward. Given these points, her members often tease her to elicit her amusing reactions.

Nicknames and what they mean

Wonhee has collected several endearing nicknames:

"Stingray" (her personal favorite due to its uniqueness)
"Axolotl"
"Bruni" (a salamander-like character from Frozen II)
"Potato"
"Circle"

Her love for sports and games

Above all, Wonhee shines in athletics. She excelled as the head of her school's sports department and enjoys soccer, basketball, and swimming, albeit modestly claiming she isn't particularly skilled at any of them. Besides physical activities, she enjoys playing video games, primarily Genshin Impact.

Public Image and Media Presence

In just a short time since her debut, Wonhee has established a significant public presence, marking her territory in both advertising and entertainment spheres.

Endorsements like Pocari Sweat

Wonhee's commercial appeal became evident early in her career when she was individually selected as the 29th solo model for Pocari Sweat. This achievement was remarkably followed by an even bigger milestone in March 2025, when ILLIT as a group was chosen as the 30th official face for Dong-A Otsuka's iconic ion beverage brand. This group contract represents a rare honor in the industry, making ILLIT only the second girl group in Pocari Sweat's history to secure such a deal since TWICE in 2017.

A Pocari Sweat representative explained their choice: "ILLIT is a group full of bright and lively energy, perfectly aligning with our brand's refreshing and healthy image". The endorsement holds particular significance in Korean entertainment circles, as Pocari Sweat commercials are widely regarded as a "gateway to stardom," with past models including celebrities like Son Ye Jin, Han Ji Min, Park Shin Hye, and Kim So Hyun.

TV appearances and MC roles

Outside of music performances, Wonhee has begun expanding her presence into television. She has taken on MC responsibilities at various events, introducing ILLIT's performances and showcasing her growing confidence in front of the camera.

Social media popularity and fanbase

Wonhee's popularity extends into the digital realm, where she has quickly amassed a devoted following. Her natural charisma translates effectively across social platforms, creating a strong connection with fans.

This rapid ascent into public consciousness corresponds with ILLIT's broader success, including their recent achievement of winning the "Best New Artist (K-pop)" award at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Furthermore, they collected an impressive total of 13 awards, including seven newcomer recognitions at major music ceremonies across South Korea and Japan.