Lee Know: Bio, Age, Height & Stray Kids Story
Few K‑pop backstories are as layered as Lee Know’s: before becoming Stray Kids’ main dancer, he was a BTS backup dancer who performed in the Not Today music video and even trained alongside the group, and his path to debut involved elimination from a survival show before reinstatement. This guide pieces together the facts, the rumors, and the milestones that define his career so far.
Birth Date: October 25, 1998 ·
Age (International): 26 ·
Height: 172 cm (5’8″) ·
Instagram Followers: 9M
Quick Snapshot
- Real name: Lee Minho (Wikipedia)
- Born October 25, 1998 in Gimpo (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia)
- Height 172 cm (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia)
- Main dancer of Stray Kids (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia)
- Backup dancer for BTS in 2016–2017 (The Honey Pop)
- Exact reason for his elimination – editing vs. actual performance (Scribd document)
- Relationship status beyond friendship with Han (Stray Kids Wiki)
- Full details of pre‑debut training (Nolae profile)
- October 25, 1998 – Born in Gimpo (Wikipedia)
- 2016–2017 – Backup dancer for BTS (The Honey Pop)
- October 2017 – Participated in Stray Kids survival show (Stray Kids Wiki)
- March 25, 2018 – Debuted with Stray Kids (Scribd document)
- New Stray Kids music releases and world tour dates expected in 2025–2026
- Continued brand collaborations and potential solo projects
Nine core facts about Lee Know, one pattern: his profile is built on verifiable dates and roles, while the narratives around his elimination and personal life remain contested.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Lee Know ( ) |
| Birth Name | Lee Minho ( ) |
| Date of Birth | October 25, 1998 |
| Height | 172 cm (5’8″) |
| Blood Type | O |
| Position | Main Dancer, Vocalist, Rapper |
| Group | Stray Kids |
| Debut Date | March 25, 2018 |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
The takeaway: biographical data is solid, but the stories around his early career rely heavily on lower‑tier sources.
Why was Lee Know eliminated from Stray Kids?
The elimination story
- During episode 4 of the 2017 survival show Stray Kids, Lee Know was reportedly eliminated (Scribd document).
- The show’s judges cited teamwork issues as the reason, though the exact editing vs. reality remains unclear (Scribd document).
What actually happened?
According to a fandom profile, Lee Know was introduced as a trainee with the role label “Dance” on October 11, 2017 (Stray Kids Wiki). Despite his dance skills, the show’s panel decided he was not yet ready to debut with the group. The decision was controversial among fans, who pointed to limited screen time and possible narrative editing.
Lee Know’s return and debut
After the elimination, JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin‑young reportedly decided to expand the group to nine members, reinstating Lee Know (Scribd document). He went on to debut with Stray Kids on March 25, 2018 with the mini album I Am NOT (Scribd document).
The pattern: the elimination story is the most‑cited piece of his lore, but it relies entirely on a single low‑confidence document.
Is Lee Know in a relationship?
Lee Know’s relationship status
As of 2025, Lee Know has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship. Wikipedia (which is widely treated as a reliable reference for K‑pop profiles) does not list a partner, and no official statement from JYP Entertainment has addressed dating.
Rumors with Han (Jisung)
Speculation about a relationship between Lee Know and fellow Stray Kids member Han (Jisung) has circulated among fans for years. The rumors were fueled by their close friendship and playful interactions on social media. Lee Know reportedly addressed these rumors on TikTok, stating they are “just close friends,” but the original post has not been independently verified by major media outlets (Stray Kids Wiki notes the rumor but lacks a direct source).
Lee Know’s clarification on TikTok
No independent, high‑authority source has confirmed the TikTok statement. The The Honey Pop feature — a tier‑2 source — mentions his friendship with Han but does not address the dating rumors directly.
The relationship question is the most‑searched topic around Lee Know, but the available evidence is thin. Fans should rely on official statements — none of which exist — rather than fan-edited wikis.
The implication: the relationship rumors are a case study in K‑pop gossip outpacing verified information. Until a tier‑1 source (JYP or Lee Know himself via a verified channel) speaks, the status remains “unconfirmed”.
Which Stray Kids member was a BTS backup dancer?
Lee Know’s pre‑debut career
Lee Know (then Lee Minho) worked as a professional backup dancer before joining JYP Entertainment. A The Honey Pop feature (tier‑2, with medium confidence) states he joined BTS’s dance crew at the beginning of 2017 after taking part in a dance competition called CUPCAKES.
How he became a backup dancer for BTS
His dance training began in middle school and he practiced at Soul Dance Studio, financing his lessons through part‑time jobs (The Honey Pop). He was then selected to join BTS’s backup crew for the Wings era.
His role in BTS’s “Not Today” music video
Lee Know appears as a backup dancer in the Not Today music video, a detail confirmed by multiple fans and indirectly supported by his pre‑debut credits (Nolae profile). He also performed with BTS during the Wings Tour in early 2017.
The takeaway: this is the most well‑documented chapter of his early career, supported by two tier‑2 and tier‑3 sources.
How old is Lee Know?
Lee Know’s birth date and age
Lee Know was born on October 25, 1998 in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea (Wikipedia). As of 2025, his international age is 26, while his Korean age is 27.
Age in Korean age vs. international age
Korean age, which counts years from conception and includes the lunar New Year, adds one or two years to the international system. For Lee Know, the difference between his international age and Korean age is one year, consistent with the common practice for late‑October birthdays.
The implication: when reading fan discussions, always check whether they use international or Korean age to avoid confusion.
What is Lee Know’s real name?
Stage name vs. birth name
His real name is Lee Minho ( ) (Wikipedia). The stage name “Lee Know” is a play on his surname and the English word “know” — literally “Lee Know” sounds like “lee know” as in “I know”.
Meaning of stage name “Lee Know”
According to fan lore, the name signals that he “knows” (understand) and that his real name “Lee” takes a playful twist. JYP Entertainment has not released an official explanation, but the bilingual pun is appreciated by international fans.
The pattern: his stage name is one of the more creative in K‑pop, matching his identity as a bilingual performer.
Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
Confirmed Facts
- Real name: Lee Minho (Wikipedia)
- Birth date: October 25, 1998 (Wikipedia)
- Height: 172 cm (Wikipedia)
- Main dancer and vocalist of Stray Kids (Wikipedia)
What’s Unclear
- Backup dancer for BTS – timeline details rely on medium‑confidence sources (The Honey Pop)
- Relationship status – no confirmed partner (Wikipedia has no entry)
- Full pre‑debut training timeline (Nolae profile)
- Gucci brand ambassador – widely reported but not officially confirmed in a tier‑1 source
The editorial takeaway: the line between solid data and speculation is thin; low‑confidence sources dominate the narrative around his elimination and dating life.
Quotes
Lee Know was eliminated due to teamwork issues.
— Stray Kids survival show judges, as reported in a Scribd document
Lee Know is widely described as a main dancer in Stray Kids.
— Wikipedia
The editorial takeaway: the two most impactful voices in his story — the show’s judges and the encyclopedia — present a narrow view. The judges’ words are low‑confidence, while Wikipedia’s are high‑authority but limited to his role.
Summary
Lee Know’s career is a study in resilience and ambiguity. He went from backing BTS on stage to leading Stray Kids as their main dancer, but the details of his elimination and personal life remain frustratingly blurry. For fans in the West, the key is to separate the concrete (his dance background, his birthday, his role) from the circulated (the exact elimination narrative, the dating rumors). For anyone researching K‑pop trainees, the lesson is clear: trust tier‑1 and tier‑2 sources, not fan wikis, when parsing survival show history.
Related coverage: Stray Kids complete lineup guide fördjupar bilden av Stray Kids Members: Complete Lineup Guide and FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lee Know’s blood type?
His blood type is O (Wikipedia).
Does Lee Know have any siblings?
He has stated in interviews that he is an only child.
What are Lee Know’s hobbies?
He enjoys cooking, playing with his cats, and reading.
What is Lee Know’s favorite number?
His favorite number is 1.
Does Lee Know have a pet?
Yes, he has a cat named Soonie.
What is Lee Know’s favorite song?
He has mentioned that “Hellevator” is special to him.
Is Lee Know left‑handed?
No, he is right‑handed.
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