Cao Lu (FIESTAR) Profile 2026: Age, Career, Dramas & Personal Life
Cao Lu is a Chinese singer, actress, and television personality who has navigated one of the more unique career paths in the K-pop industry. Best known as a member of the girl group FIESTAR, she has transitioned from idol life to a successful career as a variety show fixture and entrepreneur, ultimately playing a pivotal role in her group’s unexpected reunion. This profile breaks down her documented career, personal details, and current activities as of 2026.
Quick Facts
Table of Contents
Who Is Cao Lu?
Cao Lu is a Chinese entertainer active in South Korea, primarily known as a former member of the girl group FIESTAR. Managed by Bomnal Entertainment for group activities, she is recognized for her candid variety show appearances and for financially backing FIESTAR’s 2024 reunion.
Early Life and Pre-Debut Career
Cao Lu was born in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, and is a member of the Miao ethnic minority. Before entering the K-pop system, she had a brief solo career in China. In 2004, she debuted under the name Lu Lu and released an EP titled Cat. She also reportedly won a newcomer award at a CCTV-sponsored singing contest.
Her path to Korea was influenced by the actress Jang Na-ra. After learning about Chung-Ang University through Jang Na-ra’s promotions in China, Cao Lu moved to South Korea to study. She studied Korean for two years at the university, where she also cited actress Park Shin-hye as a role model due to her diligent student habits.
K-Pop Career with FIESTAR
Cao Lu debuted as a member of FIESTAR on August 31, 2012, under LOEN Entertainment, with the single “Vista.” She held the positions of lead dancer, vocalist, and the “face of the group.” The group released several singles and EPs, including “You’re Pitiful” and “Apple Pie,” but struggled to achieve lasting commercial success.
FIESTAR effectively disbanded in May 2018 after several members’ contracts expired. Cao Lu’s own contract ended shortly after, and she departed the agency.
Variety Show Breakthrough and Acting
Cao Lu’s career took a significant turn through variety shows, where her honest and quirky personality resonated with Korean audiences.
- Radio Star (2015): Her appearance on MBC’s talk show became a breakout moment, where she discussed her ethnic background and career.
- Real Men: Female Soldier Edition (2016): She was cast as a member of the female soldier special.
- We Got Married (2016): She was paired with comedian Jo Se-ho as a virtual couple for seven months. Their on-screen dynamic, including a traditional Chinese wedding segment, was a major topic of discussion.
She also made her acting debut in the MBC drama Picnic (which appears to have been unreleased or aired later) and had supporting roles in dramas like Missing Nine (2017) and a guest role in The Sound of Your Heart (2016).
The FIESTAR Reunion and Recent Activities
After FIESTAR’s disbandment, Cao Lu’s activities in Korea decreased, and she returned to China, citing a desire to care for her aging parents. During this period, she found considerable success in China’s live commerce industry. In a 2025 broadcast, she revealed that product sales through her promotions reached 1 billion KRW (approximately $700,000 USD) in the previous year, clarifying that this was sales revenue, not her personal income.
Her most notable recent venture has been spearheading FIESTAR’s reunion. In August 2024, the group released a remake of “You’re Pitiful” to celebrate their 12th anniversary. Cao Lu financed the project using her earnings from live commerce and even purchased the copyright to the song. In April 2025, the group officially signed with Bomnal Entertainment to continue their activities together.
As of 2026, Cao Lu has been active in Korea. She reunited with former FIESTAR member Jei in October 2026 and has appeared in Chinese dramas like Rise Again (2026).
Personality and MBTI
There is no publicly confirmed MBTI type stated by Cao Lu. Various online personality databases speculate on her type, with some suggesting INTP or INTJ, but these are third-party assessments and not official statements from the artist.
Timeline / Career Table
Lifestyle Fact Check
- Diet & Food: No specific, long-term diet plan is publicly confirmed. Her discussions about food have been related to variety show segments or her life in China, not a structured diet.
- Skincare: No complete skincare routine has been publicly confirmed. Her beauty-related activities are tied to general endorsements or brand campaigns, not a detailed personal regimen.
- Hobbies: While she has discussed various topics on shows, a consistent, verified hobby has not been a focal point of her public profile. Her primary documented interest is in the success of her group and her business ventures.
- Favorite Brands: She has not publicly declared a specific brand as a personal favorite. Her brand relationships are professional, such as her past work in live commerce.
- Pets: No publicly confirmed information about pets.
- Charity: No major, documented philanthropic activities have been widely reported.
- Dating: In a May 2025 broadcast, Cao Lu revealed she had dated a man in China but that they broke up in 2022. She has not publicly confirmed any current relationship.
- Plastic Surgery Fact Check: This is a topic she has addressed publicly. On Radio Star in 2015, she openly discussed getting double eyelid surgery after coming to Korea. On We Got Married in 2016, she also admitted to having had a nose job. These are documented statements, not speculation.
- Net Worth: Her exact net worth is not publicly available. However, she has discussed her financial realities. She has stated that during her idol career with FIESTAR, the group received no profit distribution before their contracts ended. In contrast, she has found significant success in live commerce, with one product promotion generating 1 billion KRW in sales in a year (though this is revenue, not personal profit).
FAQs
- How old is Cao Lu?
Cao Lu was born on August 30, 1987, making her 39 years old in 2026. - What is Cao Lu’s real name?
Her real name is Cao Lu (ๆน็). She also has a Korean name, Seo Lu (์๋ฃจ). - What group is Cao Lu in?
She is a member of the South Korean girl group FIESTAR, which reunited in 2024. - What agency manages Cao Lu?
For her group activities with FIESTAR, she is under Bomnal Entertainment. She has also been associated with the Chinese agency EE-Media. - What is Cao Lu’s position in FIESTAR?
She is the Lead Dancer, Vocalist, and Face of the Group. - What dramas has Cao Lu been in?
Her acting credits include Missing Nine (2017), a guest role in The Sound of Your Heart (2016), and the 2026 Chinese drama Rise Again. - Is Cao Lu active in Korea now?
Yes. After a period in China, she has returned to Korea and is active in group activities and variety shows as of 2026. - Did Cao Lu have plastic surgery?
Yes, she has publicly confirmed undergoing double eyelid surgery and a nose job. - What is Cao Lu’s MBTI?
Her MBTI type is not publicly confirmed by her. Online databases offer speculation, but there is no official statement. - Does Cao Lu have a boyfriend?
She is not publicly confirmed to be in a relationship. She revealed in 2025 that she had broken up with a boyfriend in 2022. - How did Cao Lu fund the FIESTAR reunion?
She used earnings from her successful live commerce career in China to finance the 2024 reunion project and purchase the copyright to their song “You’re Pitiful.”ย
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