ESQUIRE: I heard this used to be a sports centre.

LEE KNOW: Oh, really? It’s an interesting space. Actually, we filmed a music video here not too long ago, so it feels nice to be back.

ESQ: While watching your shoot today, I thought, “This would be the perfect spot to film a dance video.” But it seems you’ve already done that.

LK: (laughs) That’s right. I remember thinking this space was fun back then too, but today it feels different Especially, since I’m alone this time. Usually, we’re on set as a group of eight, so I can really feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on me since I’m shooting solo today. However, the best part of today’s shoot is pushing through the weight of the pressure, [to] finish strong, and be left with both pride and a sense of relief.

ESQ: Do you usually get nervous on days like this?

LK: After eight years in the industry, not every schedule makes me nervous. Still, when it’s a photoshoot I have to do alone, it’s a little unsettling.

ESQ: From a distance, you looked like a calm sea.

LK: That’s probably… because of today’s photoshoot concept. (laughs) I got the sense you weren’t going for a cheerful vibe, so I did my best to match that.

ESQ: You don’t seem like someone with big emotional ups and downs. While preparing for this interview, I noticed how even-tempered you are.

LK: I think I’ve found a balance. In the past, my mood swings were actually quite strong—whenever something happened, my feelings and physical state would fluctuate a lot. So, I worked to move away from that, to keep myself from going too high or too low. As you’ve said, now, I think I can say, I don’t experience big swings any more.

ESQ: I hear you’re about to be announced as Gucci’s new ambassador, and this shoot is part of that.

LK: That’s right. Personally, it feels special because the very first fashion show I ever attended after my debut was a Gucci show. I remember being surprised because it was so much more fun than I expected. Since then, Gucci has always felt like a unique brand to me, and I always hoped that someday I’d get the chance to do something with them. Now that the opportunity has come in the form of an ambassadorship, of course, there’s some pressure. But since I’m here, I want to enjoy it and make the most of it.

ESQ: Today was your first time trying on Gucci’s Autumn/Winter 2025 looks. How did they feel once you put them on?

LK: Well, the pieces I wore today were sample sizes, so my first thought was, “Wow, models are really slim.” (laughs)

ESQ: (laughs) That makes sense, since you like to wear your clothes a little oversized.

LK: Right. And even though I might look slim on the outside, I’ve been working out lately for my health. I’ve been bulking up a bit, which honestly has become a bit of a concern. The more I train, the more I get into it, and the more I get into it, the more I eat… Consequently, my frame keeps getting bigger. I know I should probably slim down, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. My second thought, though, was “These clothes are beautiful.” Even more so when I put them on compared to just seeing them on the rack. As you can see, I’m usually dressed in very comfortable clothes, but slipping into Gucci today made me feel—how should I put it—like a real celebrity?

ESQ: (laughs) But you are a celebrity.

LK: Still, even after all this time, I often feel a sense of unfamiliarity with [that celebrity] label, especially whenever I take on something new.

ESQ: You definitely seem to prefer a freer, more casual style. Not long ago, there was an article about Stray Kids at the airport. While the other members had headlines with flashy adjectives attached, yours stood out: things like “bedhead,” “half-asleep,” and “laid-back as always”.

LK: (laughs) Honestly, I used to think I should dress up even on regular days. A lot of people around me enjoy dressing up, after all. But when I actually tried doing it, I realised that outside of the stage or the red carpet, wearing flashy clothes and sunglasses just didn’t suit me. My personality is such that I only feel comfortable when I’m dressed comfortably. That’s why I’ve stuck to my own way of wearing easy, casual clothes. Still, now that I have this connection with Gucci, I should probably make a bit more effort.

ESQ: You seem very clear about when to give your all and when to pull back.

LK: When people think of “idol,” most imagine someone who shines all the time. But for me, I start from the premise that there are moments that shine and moments that don’t. When it comes to my work, I give it everything I have—but outside of that, I let go.

ESQ: That balance must also give you focus and strength.

LK: Yes. Above all, I think it’s important not to invest my entire self to this job, but to preserve another part of me that’s true to who I am. That way, even if I collapse one day, I believe I’ll be able to stand back up again.

ESQ: There’s that video where the Stray Kids members talk about what kind of person they are. Watching it, I thought you came across as a bit of a “cold, handsome type” with a bit of an eccentric side. But meeting you in person today, you seem thoughtful and warm, which was surprising.

LK: I hear that a lot. Some even say they expected me to be scary. But after speaking to me a few times, they don’t seem to feel uncomfortable any more. People have told me things like, “I thought you’d be rude, but you’re not at all.” I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I look a little cold, so that misunderstanding happens.

ESQ: Maybe it’s also about distance. Since you’ve said your way of showing affection is [by] “teasing”, the members might naturally see you as that “quirky older brother.”

LK: (laughs) I can definitely be mischievous with people. Honestly, when I like someone, I can’t bring myself to act overly sweet or nice to them. I don’t even want to. I guess I just have a bit of a mean streak.

ESQ: It doesn’t come across as having a mean streak. Rather… you remind me of a cat.

LK: I’ve heard that a lot too—that I’m cat-like. Maybe it's because I've been around cats since I was young. (Lee Know currently has three cats: Sooni, Doongie, and Dori.) It sounds a little strange, but looking back, I think the reason I ended up raising cats is that their nature fits mine. It's nice being together, but you also need a certain amount of personal space. I'm the same way. I have very firm boundaries, so when someone gets too close, I tend to draw a line.

ESQ: On the other hand, I've heard your mother still calls you her "baby." Are you more affectionate with her?

LK: Not at all. (laughs) I think in her eyes, I still look like a child. The memories of raising me must still be vivid for her, even though I moved out and lived on my own at a relatively young age.

ESQ: You've spent such a long time with your members. Do you think they've influenced you as well?

LK: Definitely. In fact, I think I've been influenced by each and every one of them. With Bang Chan, it's the way he always takes full responsibility for whatever he takes on. Even when it must be tough for him, he still manages to look after everyone and lead us forward. From Changbin, I've learnt his ability to look at things critically and make clear judgments. Hyunjin's passion is unlike any other—I get tired sometimes, like anyone does, but Hyunjin never seems to. He's always burning with energy. Han has the mindset of a true artist, and Seungmin's steady diligence is also something I deeply respect. Felix, as you know if you've met him before, really is like an angel. His pure, untainted soul shines like sunlight and has this healing effect on the people around him. And I.N's incredible self-discipline can't be left out either. Even if I don't consciously think, "I want to become like that person," just being close to them and being impressed by those qualities is already a huge influence.

ESQ: Then what about you? What qualities of yours do you think have had the biggest influence on the other members?

LK: Me? Hmm... it feels a little embarrassing to say it myself. (laughs) But not long ago, during a shoot, the members told me I seemed like a very steady individual. As I mentioned earlier, I've gone through a lot of ups and downs inside, but I've finally found a kind of balance. And I guess the members can feel that too. Maybe that counts as an influence?

ESQ: Of course. Having someone so composed and steady by your side can really help you feel reassured or give you courage.

LK: But when someone like that finally does lose their temper, it tends to be explosive.

ESQ: So, are you planning to explode someday?

LK: Me? No, no—nothing like that planned yet. (laughs)

ESQ: It's rare these days to find an idol like you, who has working experience before debut. Do you attach any meaning to that?

LK: Yes. I learned so much from those experiences, and I still think of that time as my foundation. Back then, I was the youngest, so I was the one who had to read the room, anticipate what the older ones needed, and prepare things in advance.

Through that, I think I really learnt about awareness and how to navigate social situations.

ESQ: I know what you mean. I also feel like working part-time before landing a proper job can be a valuable experience. Having to commit to showing up somewhere at a set time, helping someone with their work until a set time, and actually living that promise.

LK: Exactly. In a way, it gives you a real sense of responsibility. I definitely recommend it. I did part-time jobs from when I was a student—handing out flyers, working in a barbecue restaurant. I still remember how, after our shifts, the boss would cook doenjang-jjigae for everyone to share.

That sense of camaraderie felt so good. And above all, the feeling of receiving a paycheck was so different from getting an allowance. As a student, even 50,000 won feels like a huge amount. There's a real sense of pride in knowing I'd earned it through my own effort.

ESQ: You worked many part-time jobs, but you were also a professional dancer in a dance crew, right?

LK: Those are really good memories and a source of pride that I carry with me. A lot of the teammates I danced with back then have also become quite well-known now. Seeing that makes me feel this quiet sense of pride without even realising it. (laughs)

ESQ: You even filmed challenges with Vata and Bada, who were part of that crew life with you.

LK: Moments like that feel really special. The people I went through thick and thin with when I was young are now all doing well in their own places, and when we meet again and get to collaborate, it feels incredible. I probably didn't express it as much as I felt it, but inside, it means a lot.

ESQ: You're also known for being the fastest to ever pass JYP's basic choreography test. I heard it usually takes two or three years, and even the second-fastest took several months, but you passed in just two weeks.

LK: That's true, but only because it was a situation where I had to pass. The dance crew I was in used to drill basics for hours before even starting practice, so I think that training helped me a lot.

ESQ: Some might say it's natural for you to have passed the dance test so quickly since you were already a dancer. But I've heard that for JYP's basic choreography test, it can actually take longer for experienced dancers, since their bodies are already accustomed to their own style.

LK: Thankfully, that part of the test suited me well. I've always thought a truly great dancer is someone who can set aside their own style and still perform cleanly. That mindset was what the test required, so it worked in my favour.

ESQ: So what style of dance are you pursuing now?

LK: Honestly, I started working out just so I could dance better. When I watch overseas dancers, I admire the sense of weight they have—every movement is precise and controlled, without a single wasted motion. What I love is that even when they finish one move, it doesn't just stop abruptly; it flows seamlessly into the next. I was captivated by that, so these days I find myself pursuing that kind of style.

ESQ: What surprises me is that I actually understood your dancing the opposite way. Rather than sharp isolations and crisp accents, I always thought your style was more fluid—movements flowing seamlessly into one another. Isn't that right?

LK: That's true, that's true. But I wouldn't say it's something I aim for; it's more like a habit that's ingrained into my body. Back when I was in a dance crew, our routines were short, maybe a minute at most, sometimes just 30 seconds. To keep the rhythm from breaking, we'd often connect movements fluidly. With Stray Kids choreography, there are more routines that require sharper breaks, but since my body is used to that flow, some of that softness still comes through in the way I dance.

ESQ: What do you think is the coolest kind of dance?

LK: This might sound like a strange answer, but I think it really depends on each person's taste. Everyone has their own idea in their head of what the coolest dance looks like. To me, that "dance in your head"—that personal ideal—is the coolest. Not any one particular style, but those moments when someone is completely lost in it, and their ideal movements come out just the way they imagine them.

ESQ: That's a thoughtful answer. These days, it also seems like you're getting attention not only for your dancing but also for your vocals.

LK: Ah, vocals. Singing is fun. Of course, sometimes it's something I have to do, but more than anything, I enjoy it, so I put in the effort. Honestly, when I was younger, I didn't really like making any kind of sound in front of people.

ESQ: Really? You didn't even go to karaoke with friends?

LK: I actually hated karaoke. The idea of singing in front of others was so embarrassing. I think I was more introverted back then.

ESQ: But you dance so effortlessly.

LK: Dance feels like an extroverted activity (laughs), so I don't really know why. I think in dancing, you show what you practised. If you fall, you fall, and that's it. But with singing, if your voice cracks or you go off pitch in front of people, it feels so much more difficult to move on in that instant.

ESQ: Maybe it's because dance is something where you know your abilities and limits exactly, but with singing, it's still uncertain?

LK: I think that's right. Singing has become fun as I've started to gain confidence. I entered the company as a dancer and only began learning vocals after joining JYP. But during the survival programme (Note: Stray Kids was formed and debuted through a reality show of the same name), I couldn't properly take lessons for a while. That made the programme tough—I even got eliminated. (laughs) Afterwards, I still didn't feel much interest in singing. But one day I tagged along with Seungmin and I.N to their academy, and through a good opportunity, I started learning again. The teachers knew I lacked confidence in singing, so they encouraged me a lot. Meeting the right person and taking lessons that suited me made it enjoyable.

Looking ahead, I think it'd be great to have singing as another strength. For example, if I were to get injured and couldn't dance for a while, I could still connect with fans through singing—that would be a good thing.

ESQ: It seems like you are preparing for the worst-case scenario.

LK: I think that's part of my personality. I imagine positive futures, but I also think about negative ones. If the real future ends up somewhere in the middle, then that's a good outcome.

ESQ: Recently, Stray Kids has been making headlines—topping major global awards and charts, and even breaking records. Which of those achievements felt the most meaningful to you?

LK: They're all meaningful, of course. But to be honest, those kinds of news don't really sink in. We see the updates online just like everyone else and go, "Oh, that's cool," almost as if it's happening to someone else. (laughs)

Where I truly feel the change is during concerts. When you're standing in a stadium filled with tens of thousands of STAYs, you'd think it's impossible to see them all, but I can see every single face. And when the crowd screams as we step on stage, it sends shivers through my whole body like a jolt of electricity.

ESQ: Back when you were a backup dancer, you once thought, "I want to be centre stage." Now you're headlining domes.

LK: Yes. I once danced at Gocheok Dome as a backup, and now I've performed there as part of Stray Kids. Standing in the centre this time, I feel old memories overlapping with new emotions.

ESQ: Are there moments that shine even brighter than the spotlight itself?

LK: Yes. When were waiting backstage before a concert begins and STAYs start singing along to our songs. It's the same with overseas STAYs as well. Hearing that from behind the stage, everything feels like it's glowing. It's a memory I know I'll carry for the rest of my life.

Photography: Ahn Jooyoung
Fashion Editor: Yun Woonghee and Sung Hayoung
Feature Editor: Oh Sungyoon
Styling: Seo Sumyeong
Hair: Kim Jonggeun
Makeup: Han Areum
Art Designer: Kim Daeseop
Assistants: Song Jeonghyeon and Song Chaeyeon
Animation: Joan Tai
Translation: Jin Serin