Lee Leo
Australian singer song-writer (born 2002)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lee Leo (Korean: 이리오; born August 22, 2002), known mononymously as Leo, is an Australian singer based in South Korea. He made his solo debut with the single "One Look" on August 17, 2023, and with his first extended play (EP) Come Closer on May 9, 2024. He later competed on the survival program Boys II Planet, finished sixth, and debuted as leader of WakeOne's boy band Alpha Drive One in January 2026.
Lee Leo | |
|---|---|
Leo in February 2026 | |
| Born | August 22, 2002 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Education | St Patrick's Marist College |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | K-pop |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2023–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | Alpha Drive One |
| Signature | |
 | |
Early life and education
Lee Leo was born on August 22, 2002, in Sydney, Australia.[1] He graduated from St Patrick's Marist College before moving to South Korea.[2][3]
Career
2021–2023: Beginnings with pre-debut activities
At 17, he moved from Australia to South Korea to pursue a career in music.[4] Leo began training under Big Hit and was announced in March 2021 as a member of the pre‑debut boy band Trainee A, alongside Lee Sang-won, James, Han Ji-hoon, Jo Woo-chan, Yorch, Justin Jay (JJ), Park Jun‑il, and Park In‑hyuk. The first video uploaded to Trainee A's YouTube channel was a day in the life vlog in which Leo introduced himself.[5] He later appeared in the music video for BTS's "Permission to Dance".[6] Following lineup changes during 2022, Leo announced his departure from the project on August 25, 2022, thanking the company and apologizing to fellow members and fans.[7][8] The Trainee A project ceased activities and was disbanded later that year.[9]
2023–2025: Solo career debut
After leaving Trainee A, Leo signed with 131 Label, the record company founded by singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer B.I.[4] He made his solo debut on August 17, 2023 with the single "One Look", produced by American production team The Stereotypes and 9AM and featuring Destiny Rogers.[10] He performed "One Look" at the KIIS FM K‑Pop Village during KCON LA 2023 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on August 19 as part of a global promotion with iHeartMedia, and released the song's music video, filmed in Los Angeles, on August 29, 2023.[11]
He released his first EP, Come Closer, on May 9, 2024, featuring the tracks "Pretty Plzzz" featuring B.I, "Farewell" written by B.I and White Noise Club, and was produced in part by The Stereotypes and Bangs.[12] He performed songs from the EP on KBS2's Music Bank and MBC's Show! Music Core, where he was praised his strong stage presence and performance.[13] He competed in the 2024 Mnet rap competition Rap:Public as a member of Block 8, but his team was eliminated after a defeat by Block 6.[14][15]
His contract with the label ended in December 2024. On February 28, 2025, he independently released a fan song titled "Tenderly." Along with the release, he left the message: "It won’t be long until we meet again. Until then, this is everything I wanted you to hear. See you soon." Four months later, in June 12, fans reunited with him when he was announced as a contestant on Boys II Planet, representing GRID Entertainment.[16]
2025–present: Boys II Planet and Alpha Drive One
Despite his solo debut, he still had the desire to be in a group. He entered the Mnet survival competition Boys II Planet. He contacted Lee Sang-won, former Trainee A teammate, who had then considered leaving the industry and was living a civilian life, to compete and debut together through the show.[17] The two, who had previously signed with Grid Entertainment as a duo, appeared on the show under "Planet K" where they drew attention for their cover of Enhypen's "No Doubt".[18] Throughout the competition, the pair consistently ranked near the top from their initial appearance through the final rounds.[19] Thai singer Yorch, former member of Trainee A and current member and leader of Pow, described them as a motivating presence for their agency and fellow trainees after joining the company and participating on the show.[20]
At the show's conclusion, Leo was announced as one of the eight finalists selected to sign with WakeOne and form the boy band Alpha Drive One.[21] He finished the competition in sixth place and joined the group alongside the winners, Kim Jun-seo, Zhang Jiahao, Kim Geon-woo, Lee Sang-won, He Xin-long, Zhou An-xin, Chung Sang-hyeon. Leo was later announced as the leader of the group through Instagram live from Alpha Drive One official account on November 1st, 2025.[22][23] Alpha Drive One debuted on January 12, 2026, with the EP Euphoria. Leo described the debut as a "new beginning" for him and said the EP captured the "euphoric moment" for its members.[24]
Discography
Extended plays
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "One Look" | 2023 | Come Closer |
| "Tenderly" | 2025 | Non-album single |
Songwriting credits
All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.
| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Album | Composer | Lyricist | Arrangement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | One Look | Leo | Come Closer |  |
|
 |
| 2024 | Pretty Plzzz | Leo (featuring B.I) |
|
|
| |
| 2025 | Tenderly | Leo | Non-album single | |
|
|
| 2026 | Welcome Home | Alpha Drive One | Unbreakable: 少年Beast | |
|
|
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Rap:Public | Contestant | [15] | |
| 2025 | Boys II Planet | Finalist; placed 6th | [21] | |
| 2026 | Music Bank | Special MC | Along with ALD1 Kim Jun-seo | [27] |
| LeeMujin Service | Guest | [28] |
Music video
| Year | Artist | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BTS | "Permission to Dance" | Guest appearance | [6] |
Live performances
Festivals
| Year | Title | Venue | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | KIIS-FM KPOP Village In KCON LA | Gilbert Lindsay Plaza | Los Angeles | EE.UU |
| OCTOPOP 2023 | Thunderdome Stadium | Bangkok | Thailand | |
| Harley-Davidson 120 Hong Kong Music Festival | AXA x Wonderland | Hong Kong | China | |
| The Exchange TRX Countdown Party | Raintree Plaza | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | |
| 2024 | HYPE UP FESTIVAL | Yes24 Live Hall | Seoul | South Korea |
| 131 Presents: 2024 X-mas Festival in Bangkok | Thunderdome Stadium | Bangkok | Thailand |
Notes
- As a member of Alpha Drive One only.
