Fascinating Facts About Chowon from LIGHTSUM You Didn't Know

Few K-pop idols can boast of being both a national math competition medalist and a skilled performer, but LIGHTSUM's Chowon stands out with exactly these remarkable achievements.

Han Chowon has carved a unique path in the K-pop industry, combining her exceptional academic prowess with outstanding artistic talents. From her early days as a child actor to her current position as a member of LIGHTSUM, Chowon's journey encompasses surprising elements that set her apart from typical idol stories.

From Math Prodigy to K-pop Star: Chowon's Academic Excellence

Behind the spotlight of K-pop stardom lies Chowon's remarkable academic journey that showcases her exceptional intellectual capabilities. Her academic prowess became evident early in her school years, culminating in a bronze medal at South Korea's National Math Competition.

National Math Competition Bronze Medalist

Mathematics wasn't just another subject for Chowon - it was her favorite academic pursuit. Her natural aptitude for numbers and problem-solving shined through as she competed against the brightest young minds across South Korea, securing the prestigious bronze medal that marked her as a standout student.

Perfect Academic Record

Chowon's educational path led her through Seoul Eungam Elementary School and Chungam Middle School before she enrolled in the prestigious Hanlim Multi Arts School. She graduated from Hanlim's Department of Applied Music in February 2021, marking the completion of her formal education while pursuing her artistic dreams.

Balancing Studies and Training

Managing the demanding life of a K-pop trainee while maintaining academic excellence was no small feat. Chowon began her trainee journey during middle school, embarking on a challenging six-year training period. Like many aspiring idols, she had to master the art of balancing dual responsibilities:

The life of a trainee-student required exceptional time management skills. As explained by industry insiders, trainees often had permission to leave after morning classes to focus on training. This meant Chowon, like her peers, had to maintain her grades while spending significant hours in the practice room, often sacrificing sleep to complete both academic and training responsibilities.

What makes Chowon's story particularly inspiring is her decision to switch career paths. Though she initially trained to become an actress, her natural talent for singing and dancing emerged during lessons, prompting her teachers to encourage a pivot toward becoming an idol.

Hidden Musical Talents Beyond Vocals

While many know Chowon as LIGHTSUM's powerhouse vocalist, her artistic repertoire extends far beyond singing abilities. Her musical journey reveals a multi-faceted artist with diverse talents that complement her main role in the group.

Piano Proficiency and Training

The foundation of Chowon's musical expertise lies in her piano skills. Playing the piano isn't just a hobby for her - it's one of her core specialties that she's cultivated alongside her vocal training. This instrumental prowess adds depth to her understanding of music theory and composition, making her a more well-rounded performer.

Self-Composed Songs

Musical creativity flows naturally for Chowon, as composing stands among her notable specialties. Her ability to create music showcases her deeper understanding of musical structure and arrangement. This talent sets her apart in an industry where idol-composers are highly respected for their artistic contributions.

Waacking Dance Expertise

Perhaps one of her most distinctive talents is her mastery of waacking dance, a style that requires precise arm movements and dramatic expression. This unique dance form, originating from Los Angeles's disco scene, demonstrates Chowon's versatility as a performer. Her proficiency in waacking adds a special element to her dance repertoire, distinguishing her from other K-pop artists.

What makes Chowon's artistic journey particularly interesting is how these various talents interweave. Her piano skills support her composition abilities, while her understanding of music enriches her dance expressions. Together, these elements create a comprehensive artistic package that showcases why she's considered one of the more versatile members of LIGHTSUM.

The combination of these talents wasn't accidental. Initially training to become an actress, Chowon's natural aptitude for music became apparent when she took singing and dance lessons. Her teachers quickly recognized her potential, leading to her pivot toward becoming an idol. This decision allowed her to develop and showcase all aspects of her artistic abilities, from instrumental skills to dance expertise.

Early Acting Career and Achievements

Long before joining LIGHTSUM, Han Chowon began her entertainment journey in front of cameras as a child model. Her early exposure to the spotlight laid the foundation for a diverse career in the entertainment industry.

Child Actor Beginnings

Chowon's path in entertainment started with child modeling. Her natural talent for performing soon led her to pursue acting, marking the beginning of what would become a notable young career in the industry. She originally trained specifically to become an actress, showing early promise in the field.

Notable Movie Roles

Her film career includes several significant appearances, with her most notable roles including:

58 Years (2014) - Where she portrayed Princess Deokhye

Dilkusha (2016) - Taking on multiple roles as Princess Deokhye, Angel, and Chowon

Each role showcased different aspects of her acting abilities, from historical characters to contemporary roles. Her performance in Dilkusha particularly stood out as she masterfully handled multiple characters within the same film.

Drama Appearances

In 2022, Chowon expanded her acting portfolio by appearing in the television drama From Now On, Showtime! She took on the role of Aris, an idol character, in episodes 5-6. This role proved particularly fitting given her real-life journey from actress to idol.

What makes Chowon's acting career especially interesting is how it influenced her current path. While she initially focused solely on acting, her journey took an unexpected turn when she started taking singing and dancing lessons. Her teachers quickly noticed her exceptional vocal potential, leading to her eventual transition into the idol industry.

This blend of acting and musical training created a unique foundation for her current role in LIGHTSUM. Her experience in front of cameras and ability to embody different characters has contributed to her stage presence and versatility as a performer.

Unexpected Hobbies and Interests

Beyond her artistic and academic achievements, Chowon's personal interests reveal a fascinating mix of intellectual curiosity and creative pursuits that shape her unique personality.

Medical Science Enthusiasm

Chowon's intellectual interests extend into the realm of medical science, sparked by her exposure to medical dramas and films. This curiosity reflects her broader passion for understanding complex systems, whether in mathematics or human biology. Her interest in medical science aligns with her analytical mindset, showing how she continues to pursue knowledge beyond her entertainment career.

Criminal Psychology Fascination

One of Chowon's most intriguing interests lies in criminal psychology. This fascination connects with a broader psychological phenomenon, as experts note that studying criminal behavior helps people understand human nature and decision-making processes. The appeal of criminal psychology often stems from its ability to analyze human behavior and investigate complex motivations.

Perfume Collection Hobby

Among her more artistic pursuits, Chowon maintains an impressive collection of perfumes, accessories, and cosmetics. This hobby goes beyond simple collecting, as perfume enthusiasts often find that different scents can:

The Art of Scent Collection has become a significant part of her personal expression. Like many dedicated collectors, she understands that fragrances can affect someone's mood and mindset depending on the situation. This hobby showcases a more refined and sophisticated side of her personality, complementing her public image as an artist.

What makes these interests particularly noteworthy is how they reflect different facets of Chowon's character - from her intellectual curiosity about human behavior and medical science to her artistic appreciation for perfumes. These diverse interests demonstrate the depth of her personality beyond her role as a LIGHTSUM member, showing how she continues to grow both personally and professionally.

School Life and Achievements

Throughout her academic journey, Han Chowon's artistic talents shined brilliantly alongside her studies, marking her as an exceptional student with remarkable achievements in performing arts.

Gold Medals in Children's Song Contests

Chowon's musical prowess emerged early in her academic career, as she dominated school singing competitions with remarkable consistency. She secured gold medals in children's song contests during first, second, third, fourth, and sixth grade, with a silver medal in fifth grade. This impressive streak of victories demonstrated her natural vocal abilities and dedication to perfecting her craft from an early age.

Leadership Roles

Beyond her artistic achievements, Chowon demonstrated strong leadership qualities that earned her the nickname "class monitor". Her ability to balance academic excellence with artistic pursuits made her a role model for her peers. She attended Seoul Eungam Elementary School and Chungam Middle School before advancing to Hanlim Multi Arts School, where she specialized in Applied Music.

Extracurricular Activities

While maintaining her academic standing, Chowon actively pursued various extracurricular activities that shaped her journey toward becoming a K-pop idol. Her educational path culminated in her graduation from Hanlim Arts School's Department of Applied Music in February 2021.

Notable Academic Timeline:

What sets Chowon's school life apart was her ability to excel in multiple areas simultaneously. Her journey through the education system wasn't just about maintaining grades; it was about developing the diverse skill set that would later define her as an artist. The nickname "black pearl" given to her during these years aptly captured her rare combination of talents.

Her time at Hanlim Arts School proved particularly significant, as it allowed her to focus on her musical development while completing her formal education. This period marked the crucial transition from academic achiever to emerging artist, laying the groundwork for her future success in the entertainment industry.

Behind the Produce 48 Journey

In June 2018, Han Chowon embarked on a transformative journey as a contestant on Produce 48, a journey that would test her resilience and showcase her remarkable growth as an artist.

Training Period Preparation

Before stepping onto the Produce 48 stage, Chowon underwent intensive training at Cube Entertainment for 1 year and 10 months. This relatively short training period compared to many contestants didn't deter her determination. The show brought together 96 trainees from both Korean and Japanese entertainment companies, all competing for a spot in a 12-member group.

Notable Performances

Chowon's journey on the show became a testament to perseverance. Her initial rankings tell a story of dramatic improvement:

This remarkable improvement earned her the nickname "Reversal Queen" after she impressed viewers with her exceptional rapping and singing abilities. Her performances, particularly in "Rumor," showcased her versatility as a performer and caught the attention of both judges and audiences.

Post-Show Growth

The finale brought unexpected challenges when Chowon was eliminated after supposedly ranking 13th. However, years later, investigations revealed a shocking truth: her actual final ranking was 6th place, meaning she should have debuted with IZ*ONE.

When asked about this revelation, Chowon shared candidly, "If I said I didn't feel any sense of loss or dejection back then, I would be lying. In truth, I felt confused and wronged at the time". Yet, her resilience shined through as she added, "I'm very happy and excited to be able to debut as LIGHTSUM with these members now".

The experience, though challenging, shaped her into a stronger artist. Rather than letting the setback define her, Chowon channeled her energy into continuous improvement. Her journey from Produce 48 to LIGHTSUM demonstrates not just her talent, but her remarkable ability to overcome adversity with grace.

Artistic Influences and Inspirations

The artistic journey of LIGHTSUM's Chowon has been shaped by a diverse array of musical influences and career aspirations that continue to guide her evolution as an artist.

Musical Role Models

Chowon draws inspiration from several prominent artists who have influenced different aspects of her artistry. Her primary musical influences include:

BTS: She finds comfort and energy in their music, particularly appreciating how their songs offer solace in various life situations

IU: Chowon connects deeply with IU's lyrical storytelling, finding relatability in her music

Acting Inspirations

Before embarking on her journey as an idol, Chowon's path began in acting. She initially joined Cube Entertainment through an open audition for actors. Her transition to becoming an idol came after a staff member recognized her potential, suggesting she could excel as both an actor and singer. This dual capability remains a unique aspect of her artistic identity.

Career Goals

Chowon's vision for her artistic future reflects both ambition and authenticity. Rather than seeking immediate recognition, she aims to be "an artist who shows a variety of charms over the course of a long time". Her career aspirations include:

Musical Development: She focuses on creating music that offers comfort and connection to listeners, inspired by how BTS's songs helped her through various situations. This personal experience shapes her approach to artistry, as she strives to create meaningful connections with her audience through her work.

Artistic Versatility: Chowon aims to master various genres and showcase different aspects of her artistry. Her goal extends beyond being just a performer – she wants to be an artist who can authentically connect with people through multiple forms of expression.

Fan Connection: She envisions LIGHTSUM performing shows worldwide and holding concerts with their fans, known as SUMIT. This goal reflects her desire to create lasting connections with audiences globally while growing alongside her group members.

What sets Chowon apart is her commitment to authentic artistic expression. During LIGHTSUM's recent comeback, she emphasized focusing on showing her true self on stage rather than just maintaining a specific image. This philosophy aligns with her broader vision of being an artist who can showcase various aspects of her personality while maintaining genuine connections with fans.

Personal Philosophy and Future Goals

Rooted in her Catholic faith, with Sofia as her baptismal name, Chowon's personal philosophy reflects her INFJ personality type - thoughtful, determined, and deeply focused on growth. Her journey from trainee to LIGHTSUM member has shaped a unique perspective on artistry and success.

Artist Vision

Chowon's artistic philosophy centers on authenticity rather than instant recognition. Instead of pursuing immediate fame, she aims to be an artist who reveals different aspects of her talents gradually over time. During LIGHTSUM's recent comeback, she emphasized the importance of natural performance over manufactured image, stating, "I focused a lot on what it means to be myself and to perform naturally on stage".

Long-term Career Plans

Her vision for the future encompasses both personal and group aspirations. LIGHTSUM's collective goals include:

Personal Development Goals remain equally important to Chowon. During the group's recent 10-month hiatus, she dedicated herself to self-improvement, explaining, "We spent a lot of time getting to know ourselves better to be comfortable in sharing our true selves". This commitment to growth reflects her earlier transition from acting to idol training, when her natural talents were recognized by instructors.

Message to Fans

Chowon's connection with fans, known as SUMIT, goes beyond typical artist-fan relationships. Her message reflects genuine appreciation: "To all my beautiful fans around the world, you are the heartbeat of everything I do. Your beauty shines bright, inside and out, and I'm endlessly inspired by your kindness, strength, and spirit".

The evolution of her artistic journey shows remarkable resilience. From her early days as a Cube Entertainment trainee to her current position in LIGHTSUM, Chowon has maintained unwavering determination. Even after facing challenges, including the Produce 48 controversy, she emerged stronger, focusing on future possibilities rather than past setbacks.

Her Catholic faith and INFJ personality traits influence her approach to both artistry and fan relationships. This combination of spiritual groundedness and emotional intelligence shapes her goal of creating meaningful connections through music while maintaining authenticity in her artistic expression.