Personal Details :
- Full Name: Cao Lu
- Stage Name: Cao Lu
- Date of Birth: August 30, 1987
- Birthplace: Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
- Ethnicity: Miao (Hmong)
- Occupation: Singer, Actress, TV Personality
- Years Active: 2004–present
- Labels: LOEN Entertainment (former), IOK Company, EE-Media
- Education: Chung-Ang University, South Korea
Social Media Presence :
- Instagram: @better_me_caolu
- Weibo: (search “曹璐” or “better_me_caolu”)
Career Overview :
- 2004–2005: Began as a solo artist in China under the name “Lu Lu,” releasing an independent EP titled Cat.
- 2012: Debuted in South Korea as a member of K‑pop girl group Fiestar under LOEN Entertainment. Their breakout debut single was “Vista” (August 31).
- 2016:
- Cast in MBC’s Real Men – Female Edition.
- Featured on We Got Married opposite Jo Se‑ho (February–September).
- Participated in Fiestar’s second EP A Delicate Sense (“Mirror”) and digital single “Apple Pie”.
- Appeared as a contestant on King of Mask Singer and starred in *The Sound of Your Heart* (cameo).
- 2017: Collaborated with Yerin and Kisum on the single “Spring Again”; acted in *Missing Nine*.
- 2018:
- Fiestar disbanded in May after members’ contracts (except Cao Lu’s) ended in April; Cao Lu’s own contract expired on May 31. She departed FAVE Entertainment on June 1.
- 2018–2020: Signed with IOK Company in September 2018; appeared on variety shows and resumed child in March 2019 with shows like *Starting Today, I’m a Patissier*.
- 2021: Joined EE‑Media (announced March 2021 via Weibo).
- 2022–2024: Focused on Chinese live‑commerce, reportedly generating ~1 billion KRW in sales (≈ $700k) in 2024; used those funds to purchase copyrights for Fiestar’s songs .
- 2024: Reunited with Fiestar on August 22 for their 12th anniversary, releasing a remake of “You’re Pitiful”; the group officially signed with Bomnal Entertainment (Spring Day) in April 2025, setting up a full comeback .
Personal Life & Interests :
- Ethnicity & Background: Ethnic Miao from Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
- Education: Studied at Chung-Ang University in South Korea
- Languages: Fluent in Chinese (Mandarin), conversational Korean
- Cooking: Passionate cook—appeared on food-related variety shows
- Live-commerce & Business: Became a successful live-commerce host in China
- Views on Marriage: Values love over traditional wedding ceremonies
- Financial Transparency: Openly shared that she had no income early in her idol career
- Travel & Heritage: Proud of her cultural roots and revisited her hometown on television
Net Worth :
- Estimated Net Worth: US $100,000 – 1 million (as of 2025)
- Source of Wealth: Music career (with Fiestar), television appearances, acting roles, and growing live-commerce business in China
Awards & Achievements :
- 2014: Won the Teen Rookie Award at the CCTV Singing Contest in China
- 2015: Featured on MBC’s Radio Star, gaining national attention in South Korea
- 2017: Reunited with Kang Daniel at the SBS Entertainment Awards
- 2024: Led FIESTAR’s reunion by purchasing the rights to their song “You’re Pitiful” using personal funds earned through live commerce in China
- 2025: Successfully re-recorded and released “You’re Pitiful” in both Korean and Chinese, marking the group’s 12th anniversary
Fun Facts :
- Cao Lu is of Miao (Hmong) ethnic minority, making her one of the few idols to proudly represent this heritage in K-pop.
- Before debuting in Korea, she was a solo singer in China under the name “Lu Lu.”
- She is fluent in Mandarin and has conversational skills in Korean, showcasing her bilingual talents.
- Cao Lu is known for her bubbly personality and quirky charm, often surprising fans with her candidness on variety shows.
- She once appeared on the popular Korean show We Got Married, where she showcased her warm and down-to-earth side.
- Besides singing, she has a passion for cooking and has appeared on several food-related TV programs.
- She successfully transitioned into live-commerce in China, leveraging her popularity and business acumen.
- Cao Lu personally funded Fiestar’s reunion by purchasing the rights to their songs, showing her dedication to the group.