She looks almost unrecognizable from the teenage trainee K-Pop fans first met on the show.
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LIGHTSUM member Han Chowon recently resurfaced on the Korean community theqoo, where her latest look caught attention eight years after her appearance on the Mnet survival show.
Chowon competed on PRODUCE 48 in 2018 as a Cube Entertainment trainee, becoming one of the season’s standout contestants before apparently falling just short of IZ*ONE’s 12-member lineup. She was announced in 13th place during the finale. Years later, however, a court revealed that Chowon had actually finished sixth in the final voting and was one of the contestants eliminated as a result of the show’s ranking manipulation.
After the show, Chowon remained with Cube Entertainment and eventually debuted as a member of LIGHTSUM in 2021. Her image has evolved considerably since then, but her latest transformation may be her most dramatic yet.
LIGHTSUM is currently taking on an entirely new identity as the group prepares for its Japanese major debut. After an approximately two-year hiatus from group activities, the members are documenting their attempt to transform into a more traditional Japanese-style idol group through the ABEMA series Re:Idol. And that transformation is very visible on Chowon!
Compared to the natural, youthful styling many fans remember from the Mnet show, the now-24-year-old idol has embraced an ultra-feminine “kawaii” look, complete with softer makeup, elaborate hairstyles, ribbons, and distinctly Japanese idol-inspired styling.
LIGHTSUM’s Japanese debut mini album Re:idol is set for release on September 23.
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