The World’s Leading Biography Database

Kwon Eunbi

Kwon Eunbi

Former leader of IZ*ONE, solo K-pop artist and performer widely known as the “Waterbomb Goddess”

Born on September 27, 1995

Age: 31

Profession: Singer

Place of Birth: Siheung-dong, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Kwon Eun-bi, born on September 27, 1995, in Siheung-dong, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, South Korea, is a South Korean singer, dancer, actress and television personality. After making her first idol-group debut with Ye-A under the stage name Kazoo, she gained national recognition through Produce 48 and became the leader of IZ*ONE. Following the group's disbandment in 2021, Kwon Eun-bi established herself as a solo performer through releases including Open, Color, Lethality, The Flash and Sabotage. Her highly publicized performances at Waterbomb festivals later brought another major rise in popularity and earned her the widely used nickname “Waterbomb Goddess.”

Early Life and Background

Kwon Eun-bi grew up in Seoul and developed an interest in dance and stage performance from a young age. Before becoming widely known as an idol singer, she trained extensively in dance, an experience that later became one of the foundations of her professional identity.

Her path into the entertainment industry included the demanding trainee system associated with K-pop. She developed her singing, choreography and stage-performance skills during her teenage years and gradually began preparing for an idol career.

First Debut with Ye-A

In 2014, Kwon Eun-bi made her first official debut as a member of the girl group Ye-A, using the stage name Kazoo. Although the group did not achieve major commercial success and its activities eventually ended, the experience gave her an early understanding of professional recording, choreography, stage promotion and idol-group life.

After the end of Ye-A, Kwon Eun-bi continued pursuing a career in entertainment rather than leaving the industry. She later became a trainee under Woollim Entertainment, where she prepared for another opportunity to enter the Korean music market.

Produce 48 and the Formation of IZ*ONE

In 2018, Kwon Eun-bi participated in Mnet's survival competition Produce 48, representing Woollim Entertainment. The program brought together South Korean trainees and Japanese performers connected with the AKB48 system and was designed to create a temporary multinational girl group.

Kwon Eun-bi finished the competition in seventh place, securing a position in the final twelve-member lineup of IZ*ONE. The group also included Jang Won-young, Miyawaki Sakura, Jo Yu-ri, Choi Ye-na, Ahn Yu-jin, Yabuki Nako, Kang Hye-won, Honda Hitomi, Kim Chae-won, Kim Min-ju and Lee Chae-yeon.

Because of her previous experience and position as one of the older members, Kwon Eun-bi was selected as the leader of IZ*ONE. Her role within the group involved not only performance responsibilities but also helping coordinate a multinational lineup whose members differed considerably in age, background and professional experience.

IZ*ONE Years

IZ*ONE officially debuted in October 2018 with the mini album Color*Iz and its title track La Vie en Rose. The group quickly became commercially successful in both South Korea and Japan and developed a substantial international fan base.

During its limited contractual period, IZ*ONE released projects including Heart*Iz, Bloom*Iz, Oneiric Diary and One-reeler / Act IV. The group's polished performances, synchronized choreography and Korean-Japanese identity made it one of the most recognizable project groups of its generation.

Kwon Eun-bi was known within the group for her leadership, vocal ability, dance skills and mature stage presence. Her years in IZ*ONE greatly expanded her recognition and created the foundation for the solo career she would begin after the group's activities ended.

IZ*ONE officially concluded its activities in April 2021 after completing its planned contract period.

Solo Debut with Open

On August 24, 2021, Kwon Eun-bi officially debuted as a solo artist with the mini album Open. The title track Door introduced a more theatrical and mature visual identity than much of the music associated with her previous group career.

The project was important because it required Kwon Eun-bi to establish herself independently rather than relying on the collective identity of IZ*ONE. She became one of the first former members of the group to formally launch a solo music career after its disbandment.

Color, Glitch and Lethality

In 2022, Kwon Eun-bi released her second mini album Color, led by the single Glitch. The song strengthened her individual musical identity through electronic production, detailed choreography and a performance style that differed from more conventional idol-pop releases.

Later that year she released her third mini album, Lethality. Its title track Underwater gradually became one of the most important songs of her solo career. Although its initial release produced moderate attention, the song later experienced renewed popularity following her festival performances.

Waterbomb Breakthrough

In 2023, Kwon Eun-bi experienced a major rise in public attention after appearing at Waterbomb Seoul. Videos and photographs from her performance circulated widely on social media and entertainment platforms, bringing her to audiences beyond her established IZ*ONE fan base.

The attention surrounding her festival appearance resulted in the nickname “Waterbomb Goddess,” which became closely associated with her public image. The renewed visibility also increased interest in Underwater, helping the song regain momentum long after its original release.

Her Waterbomb appearances became an important element of her solo identity, combining choreography, live performance, summer-festival imagery and direct interaction with audiences. Kwon Eun-bi subsequently became one of the female artists most strongly associated with the festival circuit in South Korea.

The Flash, Sabotage and Later Music

In August 2023, Kwon Eun-bi released the single album The Flash. The project arrived during the period in which her public recognition had risen significantly following her festival performances.

She continued her solo career in 2024 with Sabotage, maintaining the performance-oriented dance-pop direction that had become characteristic of her work.

In January 2025, Kwon Eun-bi collaborated with rapper Coogie on the digital single Snowfall. She followed it in April 2025 with Hello Stranger, continuing to release music while expanding her activities across television, festivals and acting.

Acting Career

Kwon Eun-bi expanded her career into acting through the Japanese thriller Stolen Identity: Final Hacking Game. Directed by Hideo Nakata, the film forms part of Japan's Stolen Identity series and is connected to the same source novel that inspired the Korean film Unlocked.

In the film, Kwon Eun-bi played Sumin. The role marked her feature-film acting debut and represented an important attempt to extend her career beyond music and variety entertainment.

The project also gave her experience working within the Japanese film industry, complementing the familiarity with Japan she had already developed through her years in IZ*ONE.

Television, Radio and Entertainment Work

Kwon Eun-bi has appeared regularly in television programs, music shows, web entertainment productions and radio programs. Her experience as the leader of IZ*ONE and later as a solo performer helped her develop a public image based not only on stage performance but also on conversation, humor and interaction with other entertainers.

These activities allowed her to maintain public visibility between music releases and contributed to a broader career that includes recording, live performance, hosting, variety entertainment and acting.

Departure from Woollim Entertainment

Kwon Eun-bi spent many years under Woollim Entertainment, covering the most important stages of her career from Produce 48 and IZ*ONE to her establishment as a solo artist.

Her exclusive contract with Woollim Entertainment ended on March 31, 2026. The departure marked the conclusion of a long professional relationship that had shaped her career through both group and solo activities.

Move to RBW

On April 22, 2026, Kwon Eun-bi signed an exclusive contract with RBW. The company described her as an artist who had successfully established an individual career after her years with IZ*ONE and emphasized her vocal ability, performance skills and potential to expand into different areas of entertainment.

The agency change opened a new phase in her career. Under RBW, Kwon Eun-bi continued working as a singer and live performer while maintaining opportunities in acting, television and commercial projects.

Istanbul Festival Performance

On August 14, 2026, Kwon Eun-bi performed at Istanbul Festival at Festival Park Yenikapı in Istanbul, Türkiye. The event was organized in cooperation with the Korean Cultural Center as part of activities connected with the Republic of Korea's Liberation Day.

ATEEZ also performed during the event, creating one of the festival's major K-pop programs. Kwon Eun-bi's appearance in Istanbul demonstrated the continued international reach of her solo career and came only a few months after her move to RBW.

Commercial Work and Modeling

Kwon Eun-bi has also worked extensively in advertising and modeling. Her commercial partnerships have included brands such as Sprite, Nine Wishes, Lenstown, Spaal, Jadam Chicken, Dr. PL and Phytotics.

These campaigns have covered beauty, food, health, lifestyle and consumer products, reflecting her broad public recognition beyond the core K-pop audience.

Business Activities

Alongside her entertainment career, Kwon Eun-bi has also been involved in business activities in Seoul. She has operated a café located on the first floor of a building she owns and has reportedly participated directly in aspects of its daily operation.

Her involvement has included monitoring financial matters, contributing ideas for drinks and desserts and occasionally participating in food preparation. The business added another dimension to her public profile beyond music and entertainment.

Musical and Performance Style

Kwon Eun-bi's solo work combines dance-pop, electronic production and performance-centered choreography. Her background as a dancer remains clearly visible in songs such as Door, Glitch, Underwater, The Flash and Sabotage, where choreography is closely integrated with the musical concept.

Her career has also been characterized by repeated reinvention. She experienced an unsuccessful first group debut, returned to trainee life, gained recognition through a survival program, became the leader of an internationally successful project group, rebuilt herself as a solo singer and later experienced another major popularity surge through festival performances.

This ability to move between different stages of the Korean entertainment industry has become one of the most distinctive aspects of Kwon Eun-bi's professional development.

Albums and Singles

2021 – Open – Mini Album
2021 – Door – Single
2022 – Color – Mini Album
2022 – Glitch – Single
2022 – Lethality – Mini Album
2022 – Underwater – Single
2023 – The Flash – Single Album
2024 – Sabotage – Single Album
2025 – Snowfall – Digital Single – with Coogie
2025 – Hello Stranger – Digital Single

Group Career

2014 – Ye-A – Member – Stage name: Kazoo
2018–2021 – IZ*ONE – Member and Leader

Filmography

2024 – Stolen Identity: Final Hacking Game – Sumin – Feature Film

Selected Career Milestones

2014 – Debuted as Kazoo with Ye-A
2018 – Competed in Produce 48 and finished seventh
2018 – Debuted as the leader of IZ*ONE
2021 – Concluded activities with IZ*ONE
2021 – Made her official solo debut with Open
2022 – Released Glitch and Underwater
2023 – Experienced a major popularity surge following Waterbomb Seoul
2023 – Released The Flash
2024 – Released Sabotage
2024 – Made her feature-film acting debut in Stolen Identity: Final Hacking Game
2025 – Released Snowfall with Coogie and Hello Stranger
2026 – Ended her long-term contract with Woollim Entertainment
2026 – Signed an exclusive contract with RBW
2026 – Performed at Istanbul Festival in Türkiye


Source: Biyografiler.com