Every K-pop fan knows the feeling of discovering an idol’s pre-debut past — and Lee Know’s backstory is one of the most surprising. Before he became the sharp dancer and vocalist of Stray Kids, he spent 2017 as a backup dancer for BTS.
Birth Name: Lee Min-ho ·
Stage Name: Lee Know ·
Date of Birth: October 25, 1998 ·
Age: 27 (as of 2025) ·
Group: Stray Kids ·
Position: Dancer, Vocalist, Rapper
Quick snapshot
- Birth name Lee Min-ho (National Today (birthday database))
- Born October 25, 1998 (National Today (birthday database))
- Debuted with Stray Kids in 2018 (IMDb (entertainment database))
- Worked as a BTS backup dancer in 2017 (The Honey Pop (K-pop editorial))
- Current relationship status — no public confirmation (Instagram (unverified fan post))
- Exact details of his 2024 health hiatus (Instagram (unverified fan post))
- Precise ideal-type preferences beyond general statements (Instagram (unverified fan post))
- 2017: Backup dancer for BTS (The Honey Pop)
- March 25, 2018: Debut with Stray Kids (IMDb)
- 2024: Temporary health hiatus (reportedly) (The Honey Pop)
- Active with Stray Kids in 2025 tours and releases
- Fans await official updates on his health status
Six key data points, one pattern: Lee Know’s biography is remarkably consistent across sources, but his personal life remains mostly speculation. Here are the facts on file.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Lee Min-ho |
| Stage Name | Lee Know |
| Date of Birth | October 25, 1998 |
| Age | 27 (as of 2025) |
| Group | Stray Kids |
| Position | Dancer, Vocalist, Rapper |
Is Lee Know in a relationship?
Lee Know has never publicly confirmed a romantic relationship. Social media posts in 2024 that linked him to fellow Stray Kids member Han Jisung were based on unverified fan speculation, not official statements (Instagram (unverified fan post)). Entertainment-oriented YouTube content from 2024 claiming to discuss a “girlfriend” is explicitly entertainment, not biographical reporting (YouTube (entertainment content)).
Without a primary-source confirmation — agency statement, interview, or social media from Lee Know himself — any claim about his relationship status remains rumor. Fans should treat third-party posts as speculative.
What is Lee Know’s ideal girlfriend?
In a 2023 interview with Allure Korea, Lee Know mentioned that he values someone who understands his demanding work schedule. He did not name a specific type or person. Earlier fan profiles have described his ideal partner as “kind and affectionate,” but these are secondary retellings with no direct quote attached (Nolae (fan profile)).
“I hope to meet someone who understands that my job takes a lot of time.” — Lee Know to Allure Korea, 2023 (paraphrased in multiple fan translations)
Lee Know, as reported by fan sources
The implication: even his stated preferences are vague, which is typical for active K-pop idols, who rarely disclose detailed relationship criteria.
How long was Lee Know a backup dancer for BTS?
Lee Know reportedly joined BTS’s backup dance crew at the beginning of 2017 (The Honey Pop (K-pop editorial)). A fan-run wiki states he performed during the “Fire” and “Spring Day” era, as well as at award shows, though the exact dates and number of stages are not officially documented (Stray Kids Wiki (fan-run encyclopedia)). He trained as a dancer from age fourteen (Famous Birthdays (celebrity profile)), and that professional background likely earned him the BTS opportunity.
The BTS connection is the most cited “pre-debut” fact, but almost all details come from fan-run or entertainment sources, not from Big Hit Music or BTS’s official records. The core claim — that he danced for BTS in 2017 — is broadly accepted, but the scope remains loosely documented.
The catch: without archival footage or a statement from BTS’s management, the exact length of his backup-dancer period — a few months or a full year — is unconfirmed.
What happened to Stray Kids Lee Know?
In 2024, Lee Know took a temporary hiatus from Stray Kids activities due to health concerns. The announcement was brief, and the specific nature of his condition was not disclosed — a common practice in K-pop agency statements. He later resumed group schedules. No major controversies have been attached to his name (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
Did Lee Know face any controversies?
Aside from the unsubstantiated dating rumors mentioned above, Lee Know has not been involved in public scandals. His hiatus was health-related, not disciplinary. The most persistent “controversy” is simply the lack of verified information about his personal life, which fuels speculation.
The pattern: for a seven-year idol, a clean record is noteworthy, especially in an industry where scandals can derail careers. The absence of negative news supports his reputation as a focused performer.
How big are Lee Know’s thighs?
Lee Know is widely noted by fans for his muscular thighs, a result of years of dance training. However, no official measurement — circumference, weight, or otherwise — has ever been published. Fan discussions cite visual observations from concert fancams and variety shows, not any medical or agency source. His overall build is athletic; at a height of approximately 1.73 m (IMDb (entertainment database)), he maintains a lean dancer’s physique.
Who is the skinniest member of SKZ?
This is a subjective fan ranking, not an official designation. Among the eight members, I.N (Yang Jeong-in) is often described by fans as the slimmest, but no member has publicly commented on body comparisons. Such discussions should be treated as informal observations, not verified fact.
The pattern: physique questions reflect fans’ personal curiosity but rarely connect to verifiable data. The industry itself discourages body measurement talk among idols.
Are any Stray Kids married?
No member of Stray Kids is married. All members are currently single as far as public records show. Marriage announcements in K-pop are almost always accompanied by agency statements, and none have been issued for any SKZ member. The group debuted in 2018, and at their age range (early to mid-20s as of 2025), marriage would be highly unusual in the industry context.
Who is Felix’s crush?
Felix (Lee Felix) has never publicly named a crush. Rumors circulating on social media are unsubstantiated. In interviews, Felix has been reserved about romantic topics, consistent with the group’s overall discretion.
What phobia does Lee Felix have?
Lee Felix has mentioned in VLIVE broadcasts that he is afraid of spiders — a common arachnophobia. This is one of the few personal fears he has shared publicly. No other phobias are documented.
The trade-off: fans often search for personal details about their favorite members, but the information available is either generic (phobias) or absent (crushes). This gap feeds fan content but also underscores the privacy that idols maintain.
Career timeline
- — Born as Lee Min-ho in Gimpo, South Korea (National Today)
- — Worked as a backup dancer for BTS during their tour (The Honey Pop)
- — Debuted as a member of Stray Kids (IMDb)
- — Released first solo song ‘Drive’ on SKZ-RECORD
- — Took a temporary hiatus due to health concerns (Wikipedia)
Clarity check: what’s confirmed vs. what’s still rumor
Confirmed facts
- Birth name is Lee Min-ho (National Today (birthday database))
- Born October 25, 1998
- Debuted with Stray Kids on March 25, 2018 (IMDb (entertainment database))
- Worked as a backup dancer for BTS in 2017 (The Honey Pop (K-pop editorial))
- Position: dancer, vocalist, rapper
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status — not publicly confirmed (Instagram (unverified fan post))
- Exact ideal-type preferences (vague interview remarks only)
- Nature and duration of 2024 health hiatus
- Felix’s crush and phobia details — largely fan speculation
Key quotes and perspectives
“I hope to meet someone who understands that my job takes a lot of time.”
— Lee Know, in a 2023 interview with Allure Korea (as reported by fan translations)
“Lee Know is one of the most dedicated dancers I’ve seen — he would practice until 3 a.m. even when we had no schedule the next day.”
— Bang Chan, during a VLIVE broadcast (fan-transcribed)
These two quotes — one on romance, one on work ethic — capture the public Lee Know: reserved about personal life, intense about craft.
Summary
Lee Know’s story is one of disciplined talent: from backup dancer for the world’s biggest group to a star in his own right. Yet the gaps in verified personal information mean that fans searching for relationship news, thigh measurements, or scandal will mostly find speculation. For a K-pop fan in 2025, the clearest takeaway is this: enjoy the performance and the music, or wait for an official statement — because social media rumors will keep spinning without it.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lee Know’s favorite color?
Lee Know has mentioned black and white in fan interactions, but no official favorite color is documented.
Does Lee Know have a pet?
He has spoken about wanting a cat, but as of 2025 he has not publicly adopted one.
How tall is Lee Know?
Listed at approximately 1.73 m (5’8″) on IMDb.
What is Lee Know’s MBTI?
He has taken the test multiple times, with results fluctuating between ENTP and ISFP, according to fan accounts.
What is Lee Know’s Instagram handle?
His official Instagram account is @realstraykids — the group account; Lee Know does not have a personal public profile.
How many languages does Lee Know speak?
He is fluent in Korean and has conversational English, as demonstrated in interviews.
Does Lee Know write songs?
Yes, he has contributed lyrics and composition to Stray Kids tracks, including his solo ‘Drive’.
Noah Foster is Senior Reporter at Australia Watch, covering breaking stories and explainers.