2018–2021: Produce 48 and Iz*One In 2018, Kim participated in the South Korean survival show
Produce 48 by
Mnet, representing
Woollim Entertainment alongside
Kwon Eun-bi, and Su-yun and So-hee of
Rocket Punch. Prior to joining the survival show, Kim trained under Woollim Entertainment for 11 months. She finished in 10th place earning 238,192 votes, allowing her to debut in
Iz*One, with labelmate Kwon Eun-bi. Kim officially debuted as a member of Iz*One on October 29, 2018, with the release of their first
extended play (EP)
Color*Iz and its lead single "
La Vie en Rose". In 2020, Kim was first credited for music composition on
Oneiric Diary, for the track "With*One". She also contributed to writing lyrics for the song "Slow Journey", featured on Iz*One's final EP,
One-reeler / Act IV. In March 2021, Kim competed in
King of Mask Singer under the name "Formosan Deer". On March 13 and 14, Iz*One held their final concert, One, The Story. The group's contract officially expired on April 29, 2021. After the dissolution of Iz*One, Kim returned to her parent company, Woollim Entertainment. She, alongside Kwon Eun-bi, participated together in a few magazine shoots for
Esquire Magazine,
Indeed Magazine, and
Singles Magazine.
2022–present: Debut with Le Sserafim On March 14, 2022,
Source Music announced that Kim, alongside former Iz*One member,
Sakura Miyawaki, signed exclusive contracts with the company, and was confirmed to debut in their new girl group
Le Sserafim. Kim was revealed as the group's fourth member and leader on April 7. Kim made her debut as a member of
Le Sserafim on May 2, 2022, with their extended play,
Fearless. On April 4, 2024, it was announced that Kim would be featured on the track "Spruce", from
Tori Kelly's fifth studio album
Tori. On July 10, 2025, Kim Chaewon was featured alongside
Tomorrow X Together member
Taehyun on
JVKE's single "Butterflies". ==Endorsements==