Lee Know

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Lore & Background

Lee Know's journey to debut was marked by persistence. After being scouted at a dance competition in 2015, he auditioned for JYP with "Thought of You" by John Park but heard nothing back. Years later, he received a call and joined JYP on July 16, 2017, making him the last Stray Kids member to do so. On the survival show Stray Kids, he was eliminated in the fourth episode for an error while rapping, but he and Felix were allowed to return and debut with the group in the last episode. Before joining JYP, Lee Know worked as a professional dancer and backup dancer for BTS at events, but he did not appear in their 2017 music video for "Not Today" nor tour with them on The Wings Tour. He also competed in dance competitions with the crew 'Cupcakes' at World of Dance in 2016.

In Their Own Story

In September 2023, Lee Know, along with bandmates Seungmin and Hyunjin, was involved in a car accident that caused them to miss their performance at the Global Citizen Festival, though they sustained no serious injuries. Despite the setback, Lee Know continued his activities. In June 2025, Gucci announced him as its new brand ambassador, citing his "individuality and artistic spirit." On February 27, 2026, he made his solo debut at Milan Fashion Week, attending Gucci's Fall 2026 women's fashion show. Lee Know has also shown a commitment to philanthropy: on February 28, 2024, World Vision announced he became the youngest person inducted into their "Bob Pierce Honor Club" for donating over ₩100 million. On his 27th birthday, October 25, 2025, he donated ₩200 million total — ₩100 million each to Samsung Medical Center and the cat protection group Nabiya Saranghae.

Reader's Guide

Lee Know is a main dancer of Stray Kids and forms the group's primary dance trio, popularly called DanceRacha, with Hyunjin and Felix. His dance skills, honed from middle school when he started after seeing a dance video online, have earned him the nickname "dancing gem." Rolling Stone UK praised his "silky" moves during Stray Kids' 2023 BST Hyde Park performance. He also has quality vocals and strong rap skills, showcased on shows like LeeMujin Service in 2024. Lee Know has contributed original solo songs to the SKZ-Record/Player project, including "Limbo" and "Youth" (performed during the Dominate World Tour and later included on the album Hop). His solo song "Limbo" and the collaboration "Drive" (with Bang Chan) were released on the digital compilation album SKZ-Replay in December 2022. In April 2025, he appeared on the soundtrack of tvN's medical drama Resident Playbook with bandmates Seungmin and I.N, releasing the song "Start!" on April 12.

Did You Know?

• Lee Know was a backup dancer for BTS at some events, but he did not appear in their 2017 music video for 'Not Today' and did not tour with them on The Wings Tour.
• He has a second degree black belt in taekwondo, having practiced martial arts as a child.
• Lee Know was eliminated on the fourth episode of the survival show Stray Kids but was allowed to return and debut with the group.
• Lee Know is a generous donor to World Vision's 'Bob Pierce Honor Club', having donated over ₩100 million, though he is not the youngest person inducted.
• Lee Know has three cats named Soonie, Doongie, and Dori.

From Backup Dancer to Stray Kids Core

Lee Min-ho, known professionally as Lee Know, forged a path from professional dancer to K-pop idol through sheer dedication. Born in Gimpo and raised as an only child, he discovered his passion for dance in middle school after watching online videos, eventually training for five years while earning a second-degree black belt in taekwondo and mixed martial arts. His pre-debut career was marked by significant milestones, including competing with the crew 'Cupcakes' at World of Dance in 2016 and serving as a backup dancer for BTS on their 2017 The Wings Tour. Although he initially auditioned for JYP Entertainment in 2015 without immediate success, he was eventually recruited in July 2017 to join the survival show Stray Kids. Despite being eliminated early due to a rapping error, his talent secured him a spot alongside Felix when they were brought back for the final episode. This journey culminated in the group's official debut on March 25, 2018, establishing Lee Know as a vital main dancer and vocalist within the lineup.

Artistic Versatility and Musical Contributions

Within Stray Kids, Lee Know is celebrated not only for his technical precision but also for his diverse musical output. As part of the group's primary dance trio, affectionately known as DanceRacha alongside Hyunjin and Felix, he brings a 'silky' energy that critics like Rolling Stone UK have praised. Beyond choreography, he actively contributes vocals and rap lines to the band's discography. His solo endeavors are equally impressive, showcased through the SKZ-Record/Player project where he has released original tracks like 'Limbo' and 'Dawn,' as well as collaborations such as 'Drive' with Bang Chan and duets with Han. In 2024, he performed his unreleased track 'Youth' during the Dominate World Tour before its inclusion on the album Hop. Furthermore, his vocal prowess was highlighted in 2025 when he joined bandmates Seungmin and I.N to record 'Start!' for the Resident Playbook soundtrack, proving his capability as a versatile artist capable of handling various genres and performance styles.

Television Presence and Media Recognition

Lee Know's influence extends significantly beyond music into television hosting and media recognition. From 2021 to 2023, he served as a host for the prominent music chart show Show! Music Core on MBC, working alongside NCT's Jungwoo. His engaging presence earned him a nomination for the Rookie Award at the 2021 MBC Entertainment Awards. Prior to this major role, he gained experience as a special MC for Show Champion and made guest appearances on programs like EBS1's Best Cooking Secrets. His cultural impact was further acknowledged in December 2021 when he performed a special dance stage for SuperM's 'Tiger Inside,' celebrating his birth year of the tiger. This visibility helped solidify his status as a multifaceted entertainer, capable of commanding attention on stage and behind the microphone with equal poise.

Fashion Icon and Global Ambassador Status

Recognized for his 'sculptural' and 'film star' good looks, Lee Know has become a formidable force in the global fashion industry. His journey includes high-profile features in magazines like Arena Homme+ Korea, W Korea, and Beauty+, as well as campaigns for Etro. A major milestone occurred in June 2025 when Gucci appointed him as their new brand ambassador, citing his unique individuality and artistic spirit as a perfect match for the luxury house's evolution. Although a car accident prevented him from attending Sabato de Sarno's debut show in late 2023, he made up for it by attending the Cruise fashion show in London the following year. His red carpet presence is equally notable, marking his Met Gala debut with Stray Kids as Tommy Hilfiger guests and walking at New York Fashion Week. By 2026, he had secured solo covers for Nylon Japan and Marie Claire Korea, representing luxury jewelry houses like Boucheron and Chaumet.

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