Yuna ITZY: The Untold Story Behind Her Rise to K-pop Stardom

Standing tall as ITZY's visual anchor, Yuna ITZY captivated the K-pop world with an astonishingly rapid rise to fame. After debuting on February 12, 2019, she and her group achieved their first music show win in just 9 days—a remarkable accomplishment in the competitive industry.

Born Shin Yuna on December 9, 2003, in Suwon, South Korea, her journey to stardom began unexpectedly at a music festival she attended with her sister. There, a JYP Entertainment casting agent spotted her unique presence and invited her to audition. Following a successful audition, she trained for three years before officially joining ITZY. At 170 cm (5'7"), she stands as the tallest member with distinctive visuals that have earned recognition, including ranking 68th on TC Candler's "100 Most Beautiful Faces 2019".

Before becoming a K-pop sensation, Yuna led a different life altogether. For approximately four years between ages 11-15, she played floorball competitively, even receiving "The Best Player of the Match" award in the Kyeonggido High School Sportsclub Championship. Subsequently, she graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School's Practical Dance Department in February 2022, further honing her performance skills.

Early Life of Shin Yuna

Born in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, Shin Yuna's journey began on December 9, 2003. Despite some conflicting records suggesting Wonju-si as her birthplace, most reliable sources confirm Suwon as her hometown, specifically in the Paldal-gu district.

Birthplace and family background

Shin Yuna grew up in a supportive family environment that would later nurture her artistic pursuits. Her family consists of her father, Shin Youngseop, her mother, and an older sister born in 1999. This close-knit family unit played a significant role in her development, with her sister inadvertently changing the course of Yuna's life by taking her to the 2015 KBS Song Festival where she was discovered.

The young Shin Yuna spent her formative years in Suwon, a city known for its historic fortress and vibrant culture. Though information about her early childhood remains relatively private, her later accomplishments suggest she grew up in an environment that encouraged both athletic and artistic pursuits.

Education and childhood interests

Yuna's educational journey began at Suwon Hwayang Elementary School. After graduation, she continued her studies at Youngbok Girls' Middle School, where she balanced academic responsibilities with her growing passion for sports and performing arts.

Her path eventually led her to Hanlim Multi Art School, a prestigious institution known for cultivating idol talent. At Hanlim, Yuna specialized in the Practical Dance Department, honing the skills that would later define her performance style in ITZY. She proudly graduated from this renowned arts school on February 11, 2022, marking the formal completion of her educational journey as she fully embraced her career as a K-pop idol.

Interestingly, before setting her sights on becoming an idol, young Yuna had considered pursuing a career as an announcer. This early interest in public speaking potentially contributed to her confident camera presence and communication skills that fans would later appreciate.

Yuna's early love for sports

Perhaps most surprising about Yuna's pre-idol life was her dedication to athletics. Between the ages of 11 and 15, she was deeply committed to floorball, a type of floor hockey. This wasn't merely a casual hobby—Yuna excelled in the sport, earning recognition as her team's ace player with jersey number 7 (sometimes reported as 77).

Her athletic achievements were remarkable. Yuna helped her team secure victories in both city and provincial championships. Moreover, her talents earned her a place on the Gyeonggi-do representative team for national competitions. The pinnacle of her floorball career came when she received both "The Best Player of the Match" award in the Kyeonggido High School Sportsclub Championship and the prestigious National Assembly Member's Award.

Her position in floorball was comparable to a scoring center in ice hockey, highlighting her offensive capabilities and leadership on the playing field. This athletic background likely contributed to the physical coordination and discipline that would later benefit her dance performances as a member of ITZY.

How Yuna Was Discovered by JYP

Fate often works in mysterious ways, particularly for aspiring K-pop idols. For Shin Yuna, the path to stardom began unexpectedly at a year-end music festival that would forever change her life.

The music festival moment

In late 2015, Yuna attended what she describes as "her first concert ever" - the KBS Song Festival, a major year-end music celebration featuring numerous K-pop artists and groups. What started as a casual outing with her older sister turned into a life-changing encounter when they found themselves somewhat lost among the crowds.

As Yuna and her sister navigated through the festival grounds, a female representative from JYP Entertainment approached the then 12-year-old girl. Struck by Yuna's natural presence and visual appeal, the casting agent handed her a business card and requested that she contact the company later. This street-casting method, though seemingly random, has been a successful talent acquisition strategy for major K-pop companies seeking unique visuals and potential.

According to Yuna's own account shared on Lee Joon's Young Street radio program in March 2020, she wasn't actively seeking an entertainment career at that time. "I went with my sister, and as we were roaming around, lost, a woman came up to me and gave me her business card, asking me to contact her later," she recalled during the broadcast.

Initial audition experience

Unlike some misconceptions suggesting she bypassed the audition process, Yuna indeed participated in a formal audition at JYP Entertainment. After receiving the business card at the festival, she followed up with the company and was invited to showcase her abilities.

Interestingly, prior to this unexpected opportunity, Yuna had little background in performance arts. During her audition, she had to demonstrate both dancing and singing abilities despite having minimal preparation. For her dance portion, she performed without much prior experience, later describing her movements as awkward and uncoordinated.

For the vocal section of her audition, Yuna sang a portion of a song by senior artist IU. Although she entered with limited training, her natural talent and unique visual presence apparently compensated for any technical shortcomings. The JYP Entertainment evaluators recognized her potential and offered her a coveted trainee position.

Training years at JYP

Following her successful audition, Yuna officially joined JYP Entertainment as a trainee in 2015. For approximately three years, she underwent the rigorous training regimen that defines the K-pop idol preparation process. This period involved intensive daily practice in dancing, singing, and rapping - skills that would eventually define her role in ITZY.

Throughout her training years, Yuna worked diligently to transform from a floorball athlete to a polished performer. While specific details about her training experiences remain private, the results of this intensive period became evident in her poised debut performance with ITZY in February 2019.

Prior to her official debut, Yuna made several pre-debut appearances that helped introduce her to the public. These early exposures served as stepping stones, preparing both her and potential fans for her eventual debut as ITZY's maknae (youngest member) and visual.

The three-year training period transformed Yuna from an ordinary teenager into a multi-talented performer ready to take the K-pop world by storm as part of JYP's newest girl group sensation.

Debut with ITZY: A Star is Born

After years of training and preparation, the moment of truth arrived for Shin Yuna and her fellow members as they stepped into the spotlight on February 12, 2019, marking the official birth of ITZY under JYP Entertainment. This debut would become a pivotal moment not just for Yuna but for the entire K-pop landscape.

Official debut date and song

ITZY made their grand entrance into the K-pop scene with their single album titled IT'z Different. The group's debut track "Dalla Dalla" (which translates to "Different Different" in Korean) became an instant sensation, incorporating elements of EDM genres including bass house, electro house, and trap. The song's empowering lyrics focusing on self-confidence resonated strongly with audiences.

The impact was immediate and unprecedented. "Dalla Dalla" peaked at number two on the Circle Digital Chart, the Billboard K-pop Hot 100, and the US World Digital Songs chart. Additionally, the music video broke records by surpassing 17.1 million views within just 24 hours of its release, setting a new benchmark for the most viewed K-pop debut music video within 24 hours. This remarkable achievement signaled that ITZY was not just another rookie group but a formidable force in the industry.

In fact, "Dalla Dalla" would later become the best-performing girl group song of 2019 in South Korea and the first debut song by a K-pop group to earn a platinum certification from the Korea Music Content Association.

Yuna's role in the group

Within ITZY's dynamic, Yuna assumed multiple important positions. Officially, she debuted as a dancer, rapper, vocalist, visual, and maknae (youngest member) of the five-member group. At just 15 years old during debut, her multifaceted role demonstrated JYP Entertainment's confidence in her versatility and star potential.

As the visual of the group, Yuna's striking appearance became one of ITZY's defining characteristics. Her height (170cm, making her the tallest in the group) and proportions immediately caught attention. Interestingly, her mature appearance initially led to misconceptions about her age, with some viewers assuming she was much older.

As Yuna herself later revealed: "When I first debuted with Dalla Dalla, people were like, 'She's 18 years old? No way... I'm sorry, but I thought she was 25 or 26 years old'". She attributed this partly to her red hair during debut which made her "look like a college student".

First public reactions

ITZY's debut created shockwaves throughout the K-pop industry, especially when they achieved their first music show win on M Countdown just eight days after debut on February 21, 2019. This extraordinary accomplishment broke the record for the fastest time for a girl group to achieve their first music show win, cementing their status as monster rookies.

The song went on to win on music shows nine times, demonstrating its widespread popularity and commercial success. Notably, unlike many idols who show emotional reactions to their first wins, Yuna maintained a composed demeanor, showing a smile without crying as reported by observers.

Behind this poised exterior, however, Yuna was deeply moved. According to direct camera footage, she could be seen looking upward briefly "in order not to cry", revealing the emotional significance of the moment despite her composed appearance.

On YouTube, "Dalla Dalla" debuted as the second most popular song on the platform and eventually became the fastest K-pop debut music video to reach 100 million views. In April 2019, just three months after their debut, the video reached this milestone, making ITZY the fastest 4th generation group to achieve 100 million views on YouTube.

Ultimately, Yuna's transformation from trainee to K-pop idol was complete, as she officially began her journey as part of what would quickly become recognized as a "performance-driven standout band" known for their "impressive choreography and catchy lyrics fueled with girl power".

Yuna’s Skills: Dance, Rap, and More

Beyond her striking visuals, Yuna has steadily established herself as a multifaceted performer whose talents extend across several performance domains. Since ITZY's debut, her artistic growth has been evident with each comeback, demonstrating her commitment to perfecting her craft.

Her evolution as a dancer

Initially recognized for her tall stature and proportions rather than technical prowess, Yuna's dancing abilities have undergone a remarkable transformation. Her background in floorball provided her with athletic foundations—balance, coordination, and stamina—that proved invaluable for mastering complex choreography.

During ITZY's debut performance of "Dalla Dalla," fans noticed her relatively raw execution compared to members with more extensive pre-debut training. Nevertheless, her natural body awareness allowed her to quickly adapt. By the time "ICY" was released as their follow-up single, her movements displayed significantly improved precision and confidence.

Yuna's dancing style is characterized by sharp, powerful movements coupled with her exceptional ability to express emotion through performance. Her height (170cm) creates distinctive stage presence, making her movements appear both elegant and impactful. As the visual center, she frequently takes positions that highlight her fluid execution of point choreography.

Unique rap style and tone

Among ITZY's vocal lineup, Yuna has carved out a distinctive position with her rap delivery. Unlike aggressive hip-hop approaches favored by many female idols, her rap style features a smoother, more melodic quality that bridges the gap between traditional rapping and singing.

Her naturally lower voice register provides a pleasant contrast to the higher-pitched vocals of some groupmates. This tonal difference adds depth to ITZY's songs, particularly evident in tracks like "WANNABE" and "Not Shy" where her rap sections create textural variety within the compositions.

What makes Yuna's rap style particularly effective is her clear enunciation and rhythmic precision. Despite being relatively new to rapping when she debuted, she has developed a recognizable flow that maintains consistency while adapting to different song styles throughout ITZY's discography.

Vocal contributions

While often overshadowed by her visual and dance responsibilities, Yuna's vocal capabilities represent an increasingly important component of her artistic profile. Her singing voice exhibits a sweet yet substantial quality that complements the group's energetic sound.

Throughout ITZY's musical evolution, Yuna has progressively received more singing parts, indicating her vocal growth. Her mid-range voice adds stability to group harmonies, particularly in chorus sections where balanced vocal blending is essential.

Most impressively, she has demonstrated versatility across different musical styles—from the teen crush sound of early releases to more mature concepts in later works. This adaptability showcases her development as a complete idol performer who can handle multiple musical responsibilities within the group dynamic.

From floorball athlete to polished performer, Yuna's skill development reflects both natural talent and dedicated practice. As she continues to mature as an artist, her comprehensive performance abilities ensure she remains an integral part of ITZY's success rather than simply its visual representative.

Solo Projects and Media Appearances

Alongside her group activities with ITZY, Yuna has cultivated a diverse portfolio of individual projects that highlight her versatility as an entertainer. Throughout her career, she has expanded her presence across various media platforms, building a distinctive solo identity while maintaining her role within the group.

Special MC and variety shows

Beginning in 2021, Yuna took her first steps into hosting when she served as a special MC from September 26 to October 17. This initial experience was followed by additional MC roles on December 25, 2021, and again as a special MC on December 2, 2022. Her hosting responsibilities continued with a Co-MC position on August 11, 2023, and a guest appearance on January 31, 2024. In her own words, these experiences were initially nerve-wracking: "I was so nervous today. In the beginning... My hands were shaking. My hands were shaking for real. When it got started, my heart started to beat fast." This candid admission reveals the human side of her polished public persona.

Solo music and cover performances

Yuna's individual musical journey has included several milestone performances. On August 7, 2022, she delivered a compelling solo stage performance of "Maniac" during ITZY's first world tour "CHECKMATE" in Seoul. In December 2023, she released her first official solo track "Yet, but" accompanied by a music video. Interestingly, the title is reportedly a wordplay that sounds like "pretty" in Korean, perfectly aligning with Yuna's image. Fans have described her solo as "super bubbly and fun to listen to," drawing comparisons to Nayeon's "POP." Additionally, she shared a cover song on December 9, 2023, further demonstrating her vocal abilities outside the group context.

YouTube and VLive content

Yuna maintains an active presence on digital platforms with content specifically featuring her. She has starred in numerous vlogs documenting her experiences, including "ITZY VLOG 2021 YUNA," "ITZY VLOG 2021 YUNA in JEJU," and "ITZY VLOG YUNA in PARIS." Her V LIVE broadcasts reveal her authentic personality, with themes ranging from study sessions in Japan and Bangkok to cooking demonstrations like "Making Yuna's Pizza" and "MIDZY can eat healthy." These unscripted interactions have become fan favorites, with viewers appreciating what they describe as her "real" approach to connecting with audiences. Correspondingly, her birthday broadcasts such as "Queen YUNA's 20th Birthday LIVE" offer fans intimate celebrations of her personal milestones.

Yuna’s Visuals and Body Image

Recognized instantly for her distinctive appearance, Shin Yuna stands out even in the visually competitive world of K-pop. As ITZY's designated visual member, her physical attributes have become almost as famous as her performances, creating both admiration and occasional controversy in the industry.

Yuna ITZY body proportions

At 170cm (5'7"), Yuna maintains the tallest position within ITZY, contributing to her standout presence on stage. Her long legs and slim frame create a silhouette that fashion brands frequently seek for endorsements and magazine features. This distinctive height advantage allows her to showcase outfits differently from other members, making her a natural focal point in group choreography formations.

Alongside her height, Yuna's small face-to-body ratio follows the classic Korean beauty standard that emphasizes proportional balance. Her narrow shoulders paired with long limbs create what fans often describe as a "model-like" physique. This naturally slender build has sparked discussions about body image standards in the industry, with some expressing concern about the pressure on female idols to maintain certain body types.

Natural beauty and style evolution

Throughout her career, Yuna's styling has undergone noticeable evolution. During ITZY's debut with "Dalla Dalla," she sported vibrant red hair that made her appear older than her actual age. As she explained in interviews, this bold color choice created misconceptions: "When I first debuted with Dalla Dalla, people thought I was 25 or 26 years old."

Subsequently, her hair transformations have included platinum blonde, soft brown, and various experimental colors for different comebacks. These changes highlight her versatility as the group's visual anchor. Beyond hair, her makeup styles have progressively shifted from youthful freshness toward more sophisticated looks that complement ITZY's maturing concepts.

Yuna ITZY no makeup moments

Perhaps most telling about Yuna's natural beauty are her unfiltered appearances. During V LIVE broadcasts and behind-the-scenes content, she occasionally appears with minimal makeup, revealing clear skin that reinforces her reputation for natural beauty. These authentic moments have earned praise from fans who appreciate seeing idols' more genuine sides.

In contrast to heavily edited magazine spreads, these casual glimpses demonstrate the reality behind her visual image. Her confidence in appearing without full styling occasionally serves as inspiration for younger fans navigating their own body image journeys. Nonetheless, like most K-pop idols, maintaining her appearance remains a professional requirement that balances artistic expression with industry expectations.

Personality, Hobbies, and Daily Life

Beyond the stage lights and choreography, Shin Yuna possesses a vibrant personality that endears her to fans worldwide. Her off-camera identity reveals a multifaceted individual whose interests extend far beyond her K-pop career.

MBTI and personality traits

After taking the Myers-Briggs personality test multiple times, Yuna currently identifies as an ENFP, having previously tested as an ENFJ. As an ENFP, also known as the "Campaigner" type, she embodies the characteristic traits of being a free spirit with an open mind. ENFPs typically prioritize meaningful emotional connections while maintaining vibrant social energy. This personality type is known for creativity and imagination, traits that align with her performance style.

Fundamentally, Yuna is described as highly extroverted, a quality that shines through in her interactions with both groupmates and fans. During a fan discussion about MBTI compatibility, Yuna revealed her balanced perspective: "I'm also very into MBTI, but I think this depends on how much you think about each other. So I hope you don't think about the MBTI."

Favorite foods and colors

In terms of personal preferences, Yuna gravitates toward simple pleasures. Pizza ranks as her favorite food, a fact she's mentioned in several interviews. Regarding colors, pink holds a special place in her heart as her personal favorite, whereas sky blue serves as her representative color within ITZY's official color scheme.

Her taste in entertainment likewise reveals interesting contrasts - she prefers nighttime to daytime, jjampong over jjamjang in Korean cuisine, and action movies rather than romantic films.

Hobbies and daily routines

Yuna maintains an active lifestyle both professionally and personally. Her hobbies include walking, shopping, and visiting restaurants - activities that allow her to explore new environments. Furthermore, she enjoys games, books, and watching dramas during her downtime.

Her fitness routine reflects her disciplined approach to health. Each morning begins with stretching exercises performed right in bed. For cardiovascular health, she jumps in place while alternating foot placement for approximately 20 minutes, especially after feeling she's eaten too much. Additionally, she enjoys skipping along the Han River when weather permits.

Her strength training regimen includes:

Knee tuck crunches (3 sets of 15 repetitions)
Squats (3 sets of 15 repetitions)

These habits contribute to maintaining the slender physique that has become part of her signature look as ITZY's visual member.

Fan Love, Nicknames, and Public Image

Throughout her career, Shin Yuna has cultivated a dedicated fanbase that celebrates her talents and personality through affectionate nicknames and viral interactions, ultimately cementing her position in K-pop's cultural landscape.

Popular nicknames and meanings

In the world of K-pop, nicknames often reveal how fans perceive their favorite idols. Fans have bestowed Yuna with several distinctive monikers that highlight her visual appeal. "Ariel" emerged during her red-haired era, drawing comparisons to Disney's iconic mermaid princess. Similarly, "Barbie" references her blonde hair phases and striking proportions with long limbs. Her groupmate Ryujin created the playful "YUNACEF"—a clever wordplay on UNICEF—after Yuna's 2021 resolution to eliminate depression, sadness, and starvation.

Perhaps her most significant title is "Queenka," meaning "Queen Card" in Korean. This term typically designates the most popular girl in school, perfectly aligning with Yuna's high-teen image and youthful charisma among 4th generation visuals.

Fan interactions and viral moments

Yuna's natural charm during fan interactions has generated several viral moments. Most notably, during a "Dalla Dalla" performance in Bangkok, she spotted a male fan enjoying the music and approached the stage edge. She shared a cute expression while continuing to sing, creating an endearing moment that rapidly accumulated over 880,000 views and 16,000 likes after being posted on Twitter.

This spontaneous interaction exemplifies why fans appreciate Yuna—her fanservice feels genuine rather than forced. As one fan commented, "If Enhypen and TXT members give her heart-eyes, all the power to her."

Yuna's influence in K-pop culture

Within K-pop's visual hierarchy, Yuna stands among the distinctive faces defining the 4th generation. Unlike previous generations where "goddess" was a common descriptor, current idols receive more unique visual nicknames reflecting their individual character.

Simultaneously, her bubbly personality has faced both admiration and criticism. Some observers note her authentic energy works effectively both on stage and on camera. Others unfairly label her interactions with male idol groups as "pick me" behavior—a misconception addressed by supporters who point out she's simply doing her job professionally and maintaining her naturally engaging personality.

Henceforth, Yuna continues building her legacy as a multifaceted idol whose impact extends beyond ITZY's music to broader K-pop cultural conversations.