Lee Dae-hwi
A multi-hyphenate pop prodigy who shaped a generation of K-pop hits, from competition show standout to in-demand songwriter and charismatic host.
Born 2001 (age 25)·South Korean singer·Birthday: January 29·Generation Z
Biography
Lee Dae-hwi didn't just join the K-pop industry; he helped redefine what a modern idol could be. His trajectory began in the global crucible of 'Produce 101 Season 2,' where his sharp dance skills, bright vocals, and fluent English made him an instant standout. More importantly, he showcased a preternatural talent for songwriting and production, rare for a trainee. Finishing third, he debuted in the supergroup Wanna One, experiencing stratospheric fame. When that chapter closed, he didn't fade; he co-founded and became the creative center of AB6IX, writing and producing much of their discography. His ambition stretched beyond his own group, as he began crafting songs for other major artists, establishing a reputation in studio control rooms. This versatility translated to television, where his quick wit and eloquence landed him a coveted role as a permanent host on the music show 'M Countdown,' making him a familiar face guiding the very industry he helped shape. Dae-hwi represents the new model idol: a creator, entertainer, and savvy industry professional all in one.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Lee was born in 2001, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lee Was Born
The biggest hits of 2001
#1 Movie
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Best Picture
A Beautiful Mind
#1 TV Show
Survivor
Lee's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2001Born
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2006Started school
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2014Became a teenager
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Could drive
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2019Could vote
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2022Turned 21
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 25 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Finished in third place on the survival show 'Produce 101 Season 2,' leading to his debut in the massively popular project group Wanna One.
- Co-founded and debuted as the main songwriter and producer for the boy group AB6IX in 2019.
- Became the permanent host of the long-running music program 'M Countdown' in 2021.
- Wrote and produced songs for other K-pop artists, including IZ*ONE's 'Airplane' and fromis_9's 'Feel Good (Secret Code).'
Did You Know?
He lived in the United States (Los Angeles and Dallas) for several years during his childhood, which is why he speaks English fluently.
Dae-hwi trained at JYP Entertainment before moving to Brand New Music prior to 'Produce 101.'
He composed Wanna One's debut track 'Energetic,' which won Song of the Year at the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
His stage name was originally 'Hwimin' before he settled on using his given name, Daehwi.
“I want to be an artist who can write, compose, and produce my own music.”
