Rora, one of the standout members of BABYMONSTER, has an inspiring pre-debut journey filled with achievements as a child artist and trainee. Her path to debuting in YG Entertainment’s latest girl group is a testament to her incredible skills and determination.
Profile
| Real name | Lee Dain (Lee Dain) |
| Birth | August 14, 2008 (16 years old) |
| Naegok-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (currently Naegok-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do Special Self-Governing Province) | |
| Nationality | Naegok- dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (currently Naegok-dong, Gangneung -si, Gangwon-do Special Self-Governing Province) |
| Main building | Jeonju Lee clan (Jeonju Lee clan) |
| Body | Type A |
| Family | Parents, younger brother Lee Kang-in (born 2013)[1] |
| Education | Namsan Elementary School (graduated) Hupyeong Middle School (graduated) Seoul Performing Arts High School (practical music department / enrolled) |
| Position | vocal |
| Religion | Protestant |
| Agency | YG Entertainment |
| Group affiliation | BABYMONSTER |
| Debut | BABYMONSTER November 27, 2023 |
| MBTI | INTP |
Fun Facts
- She was the fifth member to be officially introduced on January 30, 2023.
- Her stage name “Rora” was personally chosen by YG’s executive producer Yang Hyun-suk, who hoped she would grAlongside Rami and Chiquita, she is one of the members using a stage name.
- Rora and Chiquita are also the first YG girl group members to debut under names completely unrelated to their real names or surnames.ow into a singer as beautiful as the aurora.
- Before Chiquita joined the debut lineup, Rora was the youngest member for quite a while. When Chiquita finally joined, Rora was reportedly overjoyed to have a younger member in the group.
- She shares a friendship with NewJeans’ Hyein. The two previously promoted together as part of the kids’ idol group U.SSOGirls from 2017 to 2018. They reunited during a joint appearance of BABYMONSTER and NewJeans on a Japanese broadcast on November 30, 2024. During a Japanese fansign event, when a fan asked Rora if she had spoken with Hyein, she replied, “It had been so long since we last met, but we were so happy—so happy that we hugged each other.”
- She appeared in a music video broadcast on Weibo in China.
- She participated in an international science competition and a piano competition. She also took part in the 12th Yulgok Student Music Festival.
- Rora speaks Korean, English, and a little Chinese.
- She modeled for the children’s fashion brand ‘Taranco.’
- She was a guest on the variety show Man vs Child Korea and appeared in the MBC drama My Contracted Husband, Mr. Oh.
Early Beginnings
Rora first stepped into the spotlight on February 17, 2017, when she debuted under the stage name Yoo Ha as a member of U.SSO Girl, a K-idol group managed by Kids Planet. Among her groupmates was Hyein, who later debuted with NewJeans. During her time in U.SSO Girl, Rora showcased her talent in singing and dancing, laying the foundation for her future in the K-pop industry.
In 2018, Rora expanded her career by working as a child model and actor alongside her activities as a kid idol. She appeared in several notable dramas, such as A Korean Odyssey and Secret Mother, displaying her versatility and charm as a performer. Her appearances in these dramas further solidified her presence in the entertainment industry.
Later in 2018, Rora’s journey took a significant turn when YG Entertainment discovered her through a direct message sent to her parents. At just 11 years old, she passed the audition and joined YG Entertainment as a trainee. She then spent six years undergoing rigorous training, perfecting her craft and preparing for her debut.
In 2023, Rora participated in BABYMONSTER’s Last Evaluation, where she initially placed 6th and was excluded from the final lineup. However, the overwhelming support from fans led Yang Hyun-suk, YG Entertainment’s founder, to reconsider his decision. Responding to the fandom’s calls, he included Rora in the group, allowing her to debut as a member of BABYMONSTER.
Debut with BABYMONSTER
On February 16th, 2023, YG Entertainment posted a video titled “BABYMONSTER – Introducing RORA” on BABYMONSTER’s official YouTube channel.
Rora, an “all-rounder” member of BABYMONSTER, was selected as a YG trainee while promoting in a kid’s girl group. Rora recalled her first month-end evaluation and couldn’t hide her regret, but Yang Hyun Suk praised Rora’s potential, saying, “I saw the potential. I was very sure that if we work on her voice well, it will turn out great.”
In the September 2020 monthly evaluation, Yang Hyun Suk held back no praise towards Rora, saying, “In my opinion, your vocals deserve 100 points considering your age. 100 points would be an understatement. The way you express the emotions is great.”
YG’s vocal trainer also agreed and commented, “Rora already had a full voice and her sounds ring very nicely too. She may be young, but she’s not young when it comes to expressing emotions of songs”.
Relentless effort coupled with innate talent is Rora’s weapon. Regarding her growth, dance trainer Lee Jung said, “Rora has improved so much. She’s the one that improved the most during the two years I’ve trained them.”
Moreover, Rora looks innocent and pretty, yet has a hip-hop vibe, to the point people have to wonder if it makes sense for her to be that good, said Yang Hyun Suk.
“I want people to feel happy after listening to my songs. Rather than being a ‘mini’ version of someone, I want to stay authentic as ‘RORA’. I want to become an artist that shines bright on stage like my name,” Rora expressed.
Filmography
| Date | Broadcaster | Program | Casting | note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ||||
| 02. 18. | tvN | A Korean Odyssey | kid | |
| 03. 07. ~ 03. 08. | KBS 2 TV | Queen of Mystery Season 2 | Elementary school student | |
| 03. 31. ~ 04. 07. | MBC | My husband is Ojakdu | Girl playing the gayageum | |
| 05. 12. | SBS | Secret Mother | kid | |
| 05. 28. | I’m a mom too | Kim Seon-jeong | Child actor | |
