Eunchae

Hong Eunchae, known mononymously as Eunchae, is a South Korean singer and the youngest member of the K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM under Source Music and HYBE. Born on November 10, 2006, in Miryang, she debuted with the group in May 2022 and quickly became a fan favorite for her bright smile and energetic stage presence.

Eunchae is often called the "smile potato" by fans due to her cheerful expressions and lively personality. She joined Source Music as a trainee in January 2021 and was the last member added to LE SSERAFIM before their debut. Her role as a Music Bank MC starting in 2023 further boosted her individual recognition, showcasing her hosting skills and charm.

As of 2026, Eunchae continues to promote actively with LE SSERAFIM, participating in group comebacks, tours, and variety content. She has also contributed as a lyricist on some of the group's songs, demonstrating her growing involvement in the creative process. [edit]

Eunchae was born and raised in Miryang, a city in South Gyeongsang Province. She developed an interest in K-pop and dance at a young age, inspired by watching performances online. She began dancing seriously after falling in love with K-pop, which eventually led her to audition for entertainment companies.

In January 2021, at the age of 14, she joined Source Music as a trainee. She trained for about 15 months before being revealed as a member of LE SSERAFIM on April 6, 2022. Her trainee period was relatively short compared to many idols, highlighting her natural talent and potential. [edit]

Eunchae debuted with LE SSERAFIM on May 2, 2022, with the mini-album FEARLESS. The group achieved immediate success, charting high on Korean music charts and winning multiple rookie awards. Eunchae quickly gained attention for her dance skills and bright stage presence, becoming known as the group's energetic maknae.

In 2023, she was selected as an MC for KBS's Music Bank, a major music show, which significantly increased her individual popularity. Her role allowed her to interact with various artists and showcase her variety talents. As of 2026, she remains an active member of LE SSERAFIM, participating in all group activities including albums, tours, and endorsements. [edit]

Eunchae is widely perceived as the energetic, sunny maknae of LE SSERAFIM, known for her bright smile and playful stage presence. Her signature aesthetic is youthful and expressive, often featuring wide smiles and lively choreography. Fans affectionately call her the "smile potato" due to her cheerful expressions and round facial features. She is celebrated for her hardworking attitude and "maknae on top" energy, balancing her role as the youngest with professionalism as a Music Bank MC. The official fandom name is FEARNOT. On social media, her tone is light-hearted, grateful, and occasionally self-deprecating, posting behind-the-scenes content and personal photos that reinforce her approachable, joyful image.[edit]

Eunchae's rise to prominence is closely tied to LE SSERAFIM's rapid ascent, but her individual recognition has been notably amplified by her role as a Music Bank MC. While the group's fandom, FEARNOT, is well known, Eunchae herself does not have a separately documented fandom name in iFANN's data; her fanbase is generally considered part of the broader LE SSERAFIM fandom. As of August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated Eunchae but she does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, whether in the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This absence is not a reflection of her popularity, her Instagram following exceeds 6 million, but rather an indication of the current evaluation window. The engine's assessments draw on a wide array of global signals, including media coverage, search activity, and consumption patterns across platforms, and her standing may shift as her career progresses. For now, her fame is most concretely measured by her group's achievements and her own growing media presence.[edit]

Eunchae is the maknae of LE SSERAFIM. Her MBTI has shifted over time, currently ISTJ, after previously testing as ISFP and ISFJ. She began dancing out of a love for K-pop, not from formal training. Her nickname "smile potato" stems from her bright, cheerful expressions. She has over 6 million Instagram followers. In August 2026, she threw a ceremonial first pitch at Zozo Marine Stadium in Japan, an event that coincided with a Chiba Lotte Marines victory, earning her the media-dubbed title "Victory Fairy." This moment was widely covered and became a notable highlight of her year. Earlier, in May 2026, she faced online backlash over perceived off-key vocals in the song "BOOMPALA," a controversy that the group weathered as part of their broader resilience narrative.[edit]

Eunchae was born and raised in Miryang, South Korea. Details about her family are kept private by her agency, which is common for K-pop idols. She has not publicly disclosed information about her parents or siblings. [edit]

Eunchae is closely associated with her LE SSERAFIM groupmates, with whom she performs and promotes. She also worked alongside co-hosts and staff on Music Bank. Her career is managed by Source Music and HYBE, collaborating with producers and choreographers within the company. [edit]

Hong Eunchae has no publicly confirmed romantic relationships as of 2026. As a young idol who debuted at age 15, her agency and Korean media culture prioritize her privacy, and no credible reports of dating have emerged. She is currently focused on her career with LE SSERAFIM. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Hong Eunchae's net worth at $1 million, a figure primarily derived from her activities as a member of LE SSERAFIM. Her income streams include a share of album sales, concert tours, and digital streaming revenue from the group's music. She also earns a fixed salary per episode as a Music Bank MC and benefits from group endorsement deals with cosmetics and fashion brands. Individual earnings for K-pop idols are typically split among members and the agency, and Eunchae's relatively early career stage means her net worth is modest compared to senior idols. However, with LE SSERAFIM's continued success and her growing individual popularity, her financial standing is expected to rise in the coming years.[edit]