Lee Ji-woo (Korean: 이지우; born October 24, 2005) is a South Korean singer and actress. She is a member of the girl group TripleS and its sub-units Krystal Eyes, Acid Eyes, Evolution, Aria, and Hatchi.
She first garnered attention through her participation in the survival competition show My Teenage Girl.[1]
Early life
Lee Ji-woo was born on October 24, 2005 in Jamwon-dong, Seocho District, Seoul, South Korea.[2] She attended Apgujeong High School and currently attends Dongguk University in the Theater Department.[3] Since elementary school, Lee was always in charge of the class president role during school.[4] During high school, she was also the president of the musical club.[4] Since childhood, Lee was a junior ice hockey player with aspirations to play ice hockey professionally, however, her parents were worried she would get hurt a lot, so she changed her aspiration to be a K-Pop idol instead.[4]
Career
2021–2022: Acting debut, My Teenage Girl
On May 12, 2021, Lee made her official acting debut in the web-series I:LOVE:DM as a leading character.[5] On May 31, Lee initially became the teaser model for the survival competition show, My Teenage Girl.[6][7] Later, she decided to join the show as a participant and was revealed as a contestant on September 13.[8] Lee revealed during the competition that she was previously a trainee at the three major entertainment companies in South Korea. She was street cast by SM Entertainment and became an idol trainee and then transferred to YG Entertainment and moved to JYP Entertainment as an acting trainee, however later left the companies due to her difficulty of being watched and evaluated by others during her trainee life.[9][10]Kwon Yu-ri, one of the shows mentors stated, "Lee is an all-rounder member, She plays a very important role. She can make the team shine on stage and show off her own abilities, she is someone with a variety of charms."[11] Lee was unfortunately eliminated in the semi-final episode, resulting in 21st place.[12]
2022-present: Debut with tripleS
On June 2, 2022, Lee was announced as the third member of the girl group, tripleS.[13] On September 26, Lee became a member of tripleS subunit Krystal Eyes through a vote determined by fans.[14] Krystal Eyes made their official sub-unit debut on May 5.[15] On February 13, 2023, tripleS made their official debut with the extended play, Assemble.[16] On April 25, Lee was determined as a member of tripleS fourth sub-unit, Evolution.[17] Evolution made their official sub-unit debut on October 11.[18] On May 19, Lee was announced as a participant on the girl group survival show Queendom Puzzle, she unfortunately was eliminated in the finale episode resulting in 13th place[19] On November 24, Lee was determined as a member of the ballad focused sub-unit, Aria.[20] On January 15, 2024, Aria made their official debut with a song written by Heize.[21] On August 28, Lee was determined as a member of the Japanese sub-unit, Hatchi. The subunit made their official debut on November 20.[22] In September 2024, Lee was cast in the web drama What I Love About Summer, as the character Woo-seul.[23]
Public Image
In the media
During Lee's appearance on My Teenage Girl, she was considered the representative visual trainee among the grade 3 contestants.[24]
Lee was named one of the top five visual contestants of My Teenage Girl, along with fellow TripleS member Kim Yoo-yeon, Classy members Myung Hyung-seo and Kim Ri-won, and Rescene's Minami.[25] Lee was briefly featured on the reality show Where Is My Home, the cast of the show created a parody version of Lee's appearance on My Teenage Girl audition trailer, with the cast acting as Lee.[26] Additionally, Shindong, a member of Super Junior also created a parody video of Lee, dressing as Lee and re-enacting her acting in the My Teenage Girl audition trailer.[27]
In August 2024, Lee entered the girl group individual brand reputation results for the first time, resulting in 94th place.[28]
^트리플에스 이지우 동국대 연극학부 24 한번 되다 수시 합격 [Triple S Lee Ji-woo Dongguk University Department of Theater 24 Once admitted through regular admissions] (in Korean). Slist. 7 February 2024.
^ abc트리플에스 S3 이지우 [Triple S S3 Lee JiWoo] (in Korean). Chosun. 4 November 2024.
^'방과후 설렘' 티저모델 이지우 "특혜라 오해받을까 두렵다" 눈물 ['My Teenage Girl' Teaser Model Lee Ji-woo "I'm afraid it will be misunderstood as special treatment" Tears] (in Korean). Edaily [ko]. 17 September 2021.
^ ab"D-1 '방과 후 설렘' 프리퀄, 대형 기획사 출신 등장…'폭풍 눈물' 왜?" [D-1 'My Teenage Girl' Prequel, Appearance of People from Major Agencies... Why the 'Tear Storm'?] (in Korean). Xports News. 13 September 2021.
^ ab"데뷔라는 게 간절해"…'방과후 설렘' 프리퀄 '등교전 망설임', 선공개 영상 공개 ["I'm desperate for a debut"… 'My Teenage Girl' prequel 'Hesitation Before Going to School', pre-released video released] (in Korean). Top Star News. 13 September 2021.
^국내 3대 기획사 SM·JYP·YG 모두 탐냈던 '세젤예' 연습생 미모 클래스 (영상) [The most beautiful trainee beauty class coveted by all three major domestic entertainment companies SM, JYP, and YG (video)] (in Korean). Insight. 5 November 2021.
^'방과후 설렘', 비드라마 TV 화제성 1위…파이널 데뷔조 투표 방법 보니 ['After School Excitement', No. 1 Non-Drama TV Topic... How to Vote for Final Debut Group] (in Korean). Top Star News. 25 February 2022.
^'방과후 설렘' 티저 주인공 이지우, 트리플에스 합류 ['After School Excitement' Teaser Star Lee Ji-woo Joins Triple S] (in Korean). Xsports News. 2 June 2022.
^[포토]'방과후 설렘' 이지우, '트리플에스'로 데뷔 [[Photo] Lee Ji-woo, 'After School Excitement', Debuts with 'Triple S'] (in Korean). JoyNews24. 13 February 2023.
^트리플에스, 새 디멘션 '에볼루션X러블루션' 탄생…멤버는 누구? [Triple S, new dimension 'Evolution X Lovelution' is born... Who are the members?] (in Korean). EtNews. 9 April 2023.
^'등교전 망설임' 김현희→이지우, 이름값 입증한 3학년…데뷔 한발짝 더 ['My Teenage Girl' Kim Hyun-hee → Lee Ji-woo, 3rd grader who proved her name worth... One step closer to debut] (in Korean). MyDaily [ko]. 9 November 2024.
^신동, '방과후 설렘' 티저 영상 패러디, 파격 비주얼로 21인 연습생 올킬 [Shindong, 'After School Excitement' Teaser Video Parody, All-killing 21 Trainees with Unconventional Visuals] (in Korean). Gp Korea. January 29, 2022.
