CHAEYOUNG

CHAEYOUNG is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and visual artist, known mononymously as Chaeyoung. She is a member of the globally successful K-pop group TWICE, serving as the group's main rapper and sub-vocalist. Chaeyoung's artistic identity is reflected in her stage name, combining “chae” (variegated colors) and “young” (crystal or flower). Her solo work, including the 2023 release My Guitar and the 2025 album LIL FANTASY vol.1, showcases her development as a musician, with the latter featuring her extensive creative contributions to the lead single “Shoot (Firecracker)”. Beyond music, she engages in design work, creating limited-edition items and contributing illustrations to fan content. Chaeyoung is also recognized as the Brand Ambassador for Etro in Japan since 2023. Despite past health challenges, she maintains a strong connection with fans through her authentic personality and artistic endeavors, which include playing the guitar and sketching. Her distinctive artistic direction, versatile talent, and relatable persona have earned her a dedicated fanbase who appreciate her unique style and creative output.[edit]

Son Chaeyoung, born on April 23, 1999, in Dunchon-dong, Seoul, South Korea, displayed a natural inclination towards the arts from a very young age. Her early years were marked by a burgeoning creativity, with an interest in performing arts evident as early as two years old. This initial curiosity led her to take an acting class, after which she modeled for a children's magazine. By the age of six, Chaeyoung had already set her sights on a career in music, deciding she wanted to become a singer. Beyond formal classes, her personal interests also included sketching and poetry, hinting at the multifaceted artistic talents she would later cultivate.

As Chaeyoung progressed through her schooling, her dedication to music intensified. In sixth grade, she committed to dance lessons for over a year, honing skills that would prove essential for her future endeavors. This rigorous preparation culminated in an audition for JYP Entertainment, where her raw talent shone through. On June 6, 2012, at just 13 years old, Chaeyoung successfully caught the eye of JYP Entertainment, officially marking her entry into the highly competitive world of K-pop training. Her nearly three years as a trainee involved intensive practice across various disciplines, including singing, dancing, and rapping. While she initially trained as a vocalist, her focus gradually shifted to rapping, a skill for which she would become widely recognized. During this demanding period, she also gained early exposure to the industry by appearing in music videos for labelmates, featuring in GOT7's “Stop Stop It” in 2014 and miss A's “Only You” in 2015.

Balancing her demanding trainee schedule, Chaeyoung also attended Hanlim Multi Art School, a specialized institution known for nurturing performing artists, adeptly navigating her education alongside her budding career aspirations. These foundational years of education and rigorous training meticulously shaped her skills and prepared her for the spotlight. Her ultimate breakthrough arrived in 2015 with the reality survival show Sixteen, where her talent and determination earned her sixth place, securing her a coveted spot in the newly formed girl group, TWICE .[edit]

Chaeyoung debuted with TWICE on October 20, 2015, with the mini-album The Story Begins and title track “OOH-AHHH (Like OOH-AHHH),” quickly establishing herself as the group's main rapper and sub-vocalist. In 2016, she became the first TWICE member to receive sole lyric-writing credit for the rap in their cover of J.Y. Park's “Precious Love” on Page Two. From 2016 to 2021, she contributed lyrics to numerous group tracks, covered Cheeze's “Alone,” and collaborated with Frants on “How U.” In 2022, she performed an unreleased solo song during TWICE's world tour. In 2023, she released her first solo single “My Guitar” and collaborated on the remix of “Pop Star” with Coco & Clair Clair. In 2025, she became the fourth TWICE member to solo debut (and the first rapper from the group) with the full-length album LIL FANTASY vol.1 on September 12, for which she wrote, composed, arranged, and mixed nearly every track. The lead single “Shoot (Firecracker)” and tracks like “Takedown” (also featured on the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack) showcased her rap skills and songwriting. TWICE headlined Lollapalooza (dubbed “Twicepalooza”) and became the first K-pop group to perform at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2025. In 2026, she continued solo and group promotions, navigating reported health issues from late 2025 while maintaining an active schedule. She has designed limited-edition covers, posters, and merchandise. Chaeyoung has not won major individual Western awards or national honours, but won 1st place in the Di Awards Upic Global Choice (Women's Division) via global fan vote. She holds several “firsts” within TWICE, and in 2023 she was appointed Brand Ambassador for Italian luxury house Etro in the Japanese market.[edit]

Chaeyoung is known as TWICE's 'music representative' — versatile, bold, and artistic. She defies typical idol stereotypes by openly embracing rap, painting, guitar, and self-expression. Fans perceive her as quirky, relatable, and creatively driven, often calling her the 'strawberry princess.' Her social media voice on Instagram (@chaeyo.0) is warm, playful, and genuine, frequently sharing her illustrations and daily life. The official fandom name for TWICE is ONCE, and her supporters highlight her rap skills and visual style. Media portrays her as unapologetically artistic, with a distinct aesthetic that blends edgy and cute elements.[edit]

Chaeyoung's global recognition is built on her decade-long career as a core member of TWICE, one of K-pop's most prominent acts, and amplified by her recent solo ventures. As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated her profile but she does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This means her fame, while substantial within the K-pop sphere and among international music fans, has not yet translated into a numeric rank in iFANN's comprehensive assessments.

Her fanbase does not have a formal name distinct from TWICE's collective fandom. TWICE's official fandom is ONCE, and Chaeyoung's supporters identify primarily as ONCE, with no widely adopted sub-fandom name. Within this large and organized community, fans celebrate her artistic individuality through projects like birthday subway ads and fan art exhibitions, though these are part of broader ONCE culture rather than separately codified efforts.[edit]

Chaeyoung's stage name means "variegated colors" and "crystal or flower" in Korean, reflecting her vibrant personality. She has B- blood type and is the shortest member of TWICE at 5'4". Her MBTI is INFP-T, and she loves drawing, playing guitar, and poetry but dislikes beans. Fans often note her bold stage energy and quirky habits, like handling dishes with Dahyun. She stood 5'2½"–5'4" (159–163 cm) and is a Taurus. Her official fandom name for TWICE is ONCE; Chaeyoung's supporters often highlight her as the “strawberry princess” or emphasize her rap and visual style. Fan rituals include celebrating her drawing releases and supporting solo projects. She has appeared on numerous fashion and K-pop magazine covers, notably in ViVi (Japan) and various Korean/Japanese fashion titles tied to her Etro ambassadorship. Her social media voice is warm, creative, and occasionally humorous. Frequently quoted: “I physically sat down to work on this album about a year ago… But overall, it took about two to three years to complete it… It honestly hasn't hit me yet that I have a solo album!” (Rolling Stone, 2025).[edit]

Chaeyoung grew up in Seoul with her parents and younger brother, Son Jeong-hoon, who is pursuing modeling. The family supported her artistic interests from a young age, helping her balance school and training. She was raised in a supportive household that encouraged her early artistic interests. She has no children.[edit]

Chaeyoung is closely linked to her TWICE bandmates, especially through shared experiences like graduating from Hanlim Multi Art School with Tzuyu and teaming up with Dahyun for daily tasks. Her collaborations include work with Coco & Clair Clair, and her family ties, particularly with brother Son Jeong-hoon, add a personal layer to her story. [edit]

Public information on Chaeyoung's romantic life is limited and mostly recent. No credible early relationships, high-profile flings, or pre-2024 partnerships are confirmed across multiple reliable sources. In 2024, she began a publicly acknowledged relationship with singer Zion.T (real name: Kim Hyung-woo). The two are fellow musicians who met through industry circles; their relationship has been described as bringing a relatable, low-key element to her public image. As of 2026, Chaeyoung is dating Zion.T. She is neither married, engaged, separated, divorced, nor widowed, and has no children.[edit]

Heading into 2026, Chaeyoung's net worth is estimated at $15 Million according to iFANN's editorial analysis. This figure reflects a steady accumulation of wealth since her 2015 debut, driven by diversified income streams that include solo releases like LIL FANTASY vol.1 and Takedown, which have generated significant revenue through sales and streaming. Her earnings also stem from TWICE-related activities, including global tours and merchandise, though individual brand deals play a crucial role in her financial standing. Over recent years, her wealth has grown thanks to modeling gigs and design collaborations, such as those with SPRIS, alongside royalties from her extensive contributions to TWICE's discography. Endorsements from fashion and beauty brands, most notably her ambassadorship for Etro in Japan since 2023, have further bolstered her income. Investments in personal projects and possible real estate holdings have helped boost her finances, while her involvement in the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack adds another layer to her portfolio. By 2026, these diverse sources have solidified her financial position in the industry, with future solo work and artistic ventures anticipated to maintain this upward trajectory.[edit]