Wonhee (singer)
| Wonhee | |
|---|---|
 ILLIT Wonhee at Canada Goose Photo Call.png Wonhee in 2024 | |
| Born | Lee Won-hee June 26, 2007 Busan, South Korea |
| 💼 Occupation |
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Lee Won-hee (Hangul: 이원희; born June 26, 2007), known mononymously as Wonhee, is a South Korean singer and actress. She debuted as a member of the South Korean girl group Illit in 2024, a result of finishing first[1] in JTBC and Hybe's 2023 girl group reality survival television show R U Next?. Beyond her group activities, Wonhee has pursued individual ventures including serving as a music show host, recording drama soundtracks, and making her acting debut.[2]
Early life
Lee Won-hee was born on June 26, 2007, in Busan, South Korea.[3] She has an older brother.[4] During her elementary school years, her family relocated to Changwon.[2] She was street-cast by Belift Lab at the Express Bus Terminal in Seoul in February 2023.[2] She currently attends Hanlim Multi Art School, majoring in practical music.[5][unreliable source?]
In interviews, Wonhee has described her personality transformation after deciding to pursue a career as an idol. She stated that up until her second year of middle school, she was "an extreme E: super outgoing without a hint of shyness," but became more introverted after moving to Seoul as a trainee, where "everyone I knew was suddenly gone and replaced entirely with people I didn't know."[2]
Career
2023–2024: R U Next? and debut with Illit
In 2023, Wonhee participated as a contestant in the South Korean girl group reality survival show R U Next?, a girl group reality competition show to determine the members of Belift Lab's first girl group.[6] At the time of her participation, Wonhee had trained for only one month, the shortest training period among all contestants.[7]
Ranking first of the six successful participants,[1][unreliable source?][8] she went on to join the newly formed girl group Illit. During the show, she was noted for her continuous growth in each round, with coach Gyuri observing how she "always brought something new and amazing to the table each time."[2]
On February 13, 2024, Belift Lab officially confirmed that Illit would debut in March of the year.[9] The group's EP debut, Super Real Me, was released on March 25, 2024, alongside the release of the music video for its lead single, "Magnetic".[9][10]
At the debut press conference, Wonhee introduced the group, saying: "I am thankful to debut with these members. Please look forward to our whimsical and confident characteristics. I think the name 'Illit' best portrays the group which consists of members with unique colors".[7]
In October 2024, during the showcase for Illit's second EP I'll Like You, Wonhee discussed the group's working relationship with Bang Si-hyuk, stating: "Chairperson Bang gave us meticulous advice on how to convey the song's message, from choreography to facial expressions. His input helped the song become even more dynamic and engaging".[11] She also expressed her aspirations for the new release, saying: "We didn't have any grand expectations for this release, but if we could dream, it would be incredible to make it onto the Billboard charts again, like we did with 'Magnetic'".[11]
In June 2025, ahead of Illit's third EP bomb, Wonhee reflected on the group's artistic growth, stating: "I'm already excited just thinking about showing our new side to many people. This third EP is one where you can really see Illit's bold charm and our growth as a team".[12] She added: "After performing at college festivals and various events, I developed a hunger for better stages. I hope fans will notice our enhanced expressiveness this time".[12]
2024–present: Solo activities and acting debut
In May 2025, Wonhee made her solo debut as an OST singer with "The Look In Your Eyes", which served as Part 3 of the soundtrack for the SBS drama Spring of Youth. The ballad was released on May 14, 2025, and featured in Episode 3 of the drama.[13][unreliable source?]
She subsequently made her acting debut with a cameo appearance in the final episode of Spring of Youth, which aired on July 2, 2025.[14][unreliable source?] In the episode, she portrayed an energetic character referred to as the "airport girl" who appears alongside the drama's lead character.[14][unreliable source?]
On December 31, 2025, Wonhee performed a solo cover of IU's "Good Day" at the 2025 MBC Gayo Daejejeon, a collaboration stage that also featured Hearts2Hearts' Ian and Izna's Bang Jeemin. The performance included the song's notoriously difficult triple high note, which garnered significant attention on social media. IU herself praised Wonhee's rendition, stating on the fan platform Berriz that "both her singing and her facial expressions were really great".[15][unreliable source?]
Endorsements
In April 2024, Wonhee was confirmed as a new model for the Japanese sports drink Pocari Sweat, becoming the brand's 18th model.[16]
Discography
Soundtrack appearances
| Year | Title | Album | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | "The Look In Your Eyes" | Spring of Youth OST | [13][unreliable source?] |
Videography
Filmography
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Spring of Youth | Cameo | [14][unreliable source?] |
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | R U Next? | Contestant | [17] |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mendoza, Ingrid (September 9, 2023). "HYBE's New Girl Group Final Member Lineup Revealed: Which 'R U NEXT' Contestants Made It?". International Business Times. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "WONHEE: "I want to spend this time in particular without any regrets"". Weverse Magazine. April 2, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ 빌리프랩 | BELIFT LAB. Belift Lab. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ 원희의 50문 50답 [Wonhee's 50 Questions 50 Answers]. Weverse. September 26, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ "ILLIT's Wonhee passes transfer admission exam for Hanlim Multi Art School's Practical Music Department". KBIZoom. September 5, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ 하이브 새 걸그룹 누구?...'알유넥스트', 티저 영상 공개 [Who is Hybe's new girl group?...'RU Next', teaser video released]. MBN (in 한국어). June 7, 2023. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2026 – via Naver. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 7.0 7.1 Park, Jun-hee (March 26, 2024). "Illit says goofiness and honesty are what make them 'Magnetic'". The Korea Herald. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ Yoon, So-yeon (September 3, 2023). "'R U Next?' winners form girl group I'LL-IT ahead of debut". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 9.0 9.1 "HYBE's latest girl group I'LL-IT to release debut album on March 25". Korea JoongAng Daily. February 21, 2024. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Kim, Na-yul (March 25, 2024). 아일릿, 오늘(25일) 데뷔..하이브 표 세 번째 걸그룹 [Illit debuts today (25th)...the third girl group on Hybe's list] (in 한국어). Herald Pop. Retrieved January 4, 2026 – via Naver.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Pyo, Kyung-min (October 21, 2024). "ILLIT addresses plagiarism controversies, strives to establish distinct identity". The Korea Times. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "ILLIT confident in its growth with new album, 'bomb'". The Korea Herald. June 16, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "ILLIT's Wonhee makes OST debut with emotional ballad for 'The Spring of Four Seasons'". allkpop. May 14, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "ILLIT's Wonhee Surprises Lee Seung Hyub With A Gift In "Spring Of Youth" Finale". Soompi. July 2, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ "IU praises ILLIT's Wonhee for her cover of "Good Day"". allkpop. January 1, 2026. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Wonhee, who is full of charms... Son Ye-jin and Pocari Sweat genealogy". Maekyung. April 20, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ↑ 22인 베일 벗었다! 하이브 새 걸그룹 서바이벌 프로그램 JTBC 'R U Next?', 참가자 프로필 영상·사진 공개 [The 22-member veil has been taken off! Hybe's new girl group survival program JTBC 'RU Next?', participant profile video and photos released]. Star News (in 한국어). June 15, 2023. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)
External links
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