Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT

Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT

Who is Iroha ILLIT? The Hidden Story Behind K-pop's Rising Star

Iroha ILLIT captivates fans with her exceptional dance skills and youthful energy as the youngest member of rising K-pop girl group ILLIT. Born on February 4, 2008, she's just 17 years old in 2025, yet has already achieved remarkable success after ranking 4th in the competitive survival show R U Next?.

Initially moving to Korea at the young age of 11, she began her journey as a trainee under JYP Entertainment. After training diligently for 5 years, she eventually secured her position as one of the members of ILLIT, making her official debut on March 25, 2024, with the mini-album "Super Real Me". As the main dancer, sub vocalist, and maknae of the group, her perfectionist nature has certainly contributed to her rapid rise in the K-pop industry.

Birth name
Hokazono Iroha (外薗 彩羽)

Position:
Maknae

Birth date
February 4, 2008

Birth place
Tokyo, Japan

Height
158 cm (5 ft 2 in)

Blood type
A

Occupation
Singer, lyricist

Group debut
March 25, 2024

Years active
2023–present

Agency
Belift Lab (2021–present)
JYP Entertainment (2019-2021)

Associations
ILLIT
R U Next?

Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT

Iroha ILLIT Profile: Quick Facts

For a closer look at K-pop's rising star, here's a detailed breakdown of Iroha's profile and essential facts that define her journey in the music industry.

Full name and stage name

While fans know her simply as Iroha (이로하), her full birth name is Hokazono Iroha (外園 いろは / 호카조노 이로하). This unique name carries special significance in Japanese culture, with "Iroha" being a traditional Japanese poem that contains every character of the Japanese syllabary exactly once. Her stage name maintains her given name's authenticity, allowing her to preserve her cultural identity while pursuing her K-pop dreams.

Birthday, age, and zodiac sign

Born on February 4th, 2008, in Tokyo, Japan, Iroha belongs to the Aquarius zodiac sign. As of 2025, she is 17 years old, making her one of the youngest active idols in the current K-pop scene. Her Chinese zodiac sign is Pig, which in Eastern astrology represents individuals with kind-hearted and thoughtful personalities. Being born in February also places her among winter-born idols, known for their cool yet warm personalities.

Nationality and MBTI type

Iroha proudly represents her Japanese heritage within ILLIT, bringing international diversity to the group. Regarding her personality type, multiple sources identify her MBTI as ISFP, which characterizes her as artistic, sensitive, and practical. This "Adventurer" personality type aligns with her creative dance abilities and adaptable nature. Additionally, blue serves as her representative color, while her representative emoji is the turtle (🐢), symbolizing steadiness and wisdom.

Height and blood type

Standing at approximately 158 cm (5'2"), Iroha maintains a petite and graceful stature that complements her precise dance movements. Her blood type is A, which in East Asian culture is often associated with traits like responsibility, sensitivity, and perfectionism. These characteristics align with her dedicated approach to performance and artistic expression.

Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT

Early Life and Predebut Journey

Tracing back to her roots, Iroha ILLIT's journey began in Tokyo, Japan, where she was born as Hokazono Iroha. Her early years in Japan laid the foundation for what would become an impressive career in K-pop.

Growing up in Tokyo, Japan

Born and raised in Tokyo, Iroha spent her formative years in Japan's bustling capital. Though details about her family life remain private, her Japanese upbringing significantly influenced her artistic development and cultural perspective. This background would later add unique diversity to ILLIT's multinational appeal.

Starting dance at age 3

Remarkably, Iroha discovered her passion for dance at just three years old. This extraordinarily early start gave her a significant advantage, allowing her to develop technical proficiency and natural expressiveness from a very young age. Her natural talent and dedication became evident as she continued to refine her skills throughout childhood.

Training at STUDIO MARU Kyoto

Prior to her K-pop career, Iroha took formal dance classes at STUDIO MARU Kyoto. This prestigious dance academy helped sharpen her abilities and exposed her to various dance styles. According to some sources, she started learning dance more seriously around fifth grade of elementary school, building upon her early foundation with more structured training.

Joining JYP Entertainment at age 11

A pivotal moment in Iroha's life came when she moved to South Korea at age 11. She successfully auditioned for JYP Entertainment, one of South Korea's most prestigious entertainment companies. This marked the beginning of her intensive training period, which would last for approximately 5 years before her official debut with ILLIT.

Friendships with NMIXX, NiziU, and others

Throughout her training years at JYP Entertainment, Iroha formed meaningful connections with fellow trainees. Notably, she developed close friendships with members of NMIXX and NiziU, as they trained together under the same company. These relationships provided valuable support during her predebut journey, creating a network of friends who understood the challenges and pressures of idol training.

Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT

From R U Next? to ILLIT Debut

Iroha's professional career took a decisive turn in mid-2023 when she stepped into the spotlight as a contestant on JTBC's survival reality show. This pivotal experience would ultimately lead to her debut with one of K-pop's most promising new girl groups.

Participation in R U Next? survival show

On June 16, 2023, Iroha was officially announced as one of the twenty-two contestants on the survival program R U Next?, a collaboration between JTBC and Belift Lab. The show premiered on June 30, 2023, and ran for ten episodes through September 1, 2023. Throughout the competition, contestants were assessed through seven challenging rounds, all vying for a spot in Belift Lab's first girl group and HYBE's third female ensemble after Le Sserafim and NewJeans.

Ranking 4th and joining ILLIT

In a testament to her talent and determination, Iroha secured her place in the final lineup by ranking 4th overall with an impressive 2,569,421 votes. The finale, broadcast live on September 1, 2023, revealed the six-member lineup that would form the group initially known as I'LL-IT. This selection combined public voting results with label consideration, resulting in Wonhee, Youngseo, Minju, Iroha, Moka, and Yunah being chosen.

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Debut with 'Super Real Me' in 2024

Following months of preparation, Belift Lab confirmed on February 13, 2024, that the group—now renamed ILLIT—would make their official debut in March. Subsequently, on February 26, the agency announced their first mini-album titled Super Real Me. ILLIT officially debuted on March 25, 2024, with "Magnetic" serving as the lead single. Furthermore, the mini-album featured three additional tracks: "My World," "Midnight Fiction," and "Lucky Girl Syndrome".

Songwriting credit for 'Midnight Fiction'

Among her early accomplishments, Iroha contributed to the group's debut album by writing lyrics for "Midnight Fiction". Specifically, she penned the imaginative line, "On a walk and the clouds look like my dog". In an interview, she explained: "When I see a cloud that looks like a cat or a dog, I think, That's cute! Lucky!". Her creative input showcases her artistic sensibilities beyond dancing, hinting at her multifaceted talents as an idol.

Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT
Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT

Personality, Hobbies, and Favorites

Beyond her remarkable dancing skills, Iroha reveals a multifaceted personality with distinctive preferences that endear her to fans. As we peel back the layers, a clearer picture emerges of the person behind the performer.

MBTI: ISFP and perfectionist nature

Iroha identifies as an ISFP personality type, commonly known as "The Adventurer". This personality type indicates someone who approaches life with grounded warmth and stays present in the moment. Despite her young age, she openly describes herself as more of an introvert than an extrovert. Alongside this introspective nature, Iroha is a self-proclaimed perfectionist. In her own words, attempting to do everything perfectly can sometimes become stressful, yet the satisfaction of achieving perfection makes the effort worthwhile.

Favorite foods and desserts

In terms of culinary preferences, Iroha has a genuine fondness for chicken. In fact, she once mentioned that a chicken advertisement was the commercial she would most like to appear in. For those with a sweet tooth, Iroha shares your passion—tiramisu ranks as her favorite dessert. Moreover, unlike many who find the flavor divisive, she enjoys mint chocolate ice cream. Her food preferences extend to sushi as well, with salmon sushi and salmon roe sushi being particular favorites.

Hobbies: music, karaoke, anime

Music naturally permeates Iroha's life beyond performances. Listening to music stands as one of her primary hobbies. At karaoke sessions, her go-to song is "Lowkey" by NIKI. If she could choose a background soundtrack for her life, she would select TAEYEON's "날개 (Feel So Fine)". Iroha's interests extend into anime and manga culture, with particular affection for titles including:

Jujutsu Kaisen
Attack On Titan
Toilet-Bound Hanako Kun (her #1 favorite)

Favorite animal and Sanrio character

Cats hold a special place in Iroha's heart as her favorite animals. This affection stems from childhood—she once had a cat and cherished their time together, eating and sleeping alongside her feline companion. Her love for cats runs so deep that she once humorously remarked about possibly "marrying a cat". Among Sanrio characters, Pochacco captures her attention. She finds this character particularly endearing and even owns a Pochacco mirror.

Unique habits and daily routines

One distinctive habit Iroha wishes to break involves her body involuntarily moving to beats even when no music is playing. Interestingly, whenever engaged in serious conversation, the corners of her mouth naturally turn upward. Rather than spending time in her bedroom, she typically lounges on the living room sofa. For dealing with stress, Iroha adopts a pragmatic approach—she identifies solutions to problems, then shifts her focus elsewhere. Two phrases she frequently uses encapsulate her philosophy: "I can do anything" and "It can't be helped".

Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT
Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT
Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT

Symbolism and Meaning Behind Iroha

Behind Iroha's captivating performances lies a name rich with symbolic significance. The deeper meaning of her identity reveals much about how she connects with fans and fellow members in ILLIT.

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Iroha name meaning and significance

The name Hokazono Iroha carries profound meaning, symbolizing "to fly around the world with beautiful wings". This poetic significance perfectly aligns with her journey from Tokyo to the global K-pop stage. Interestingly, in a Weverse Magazine interview, the writer noted how appropriate this meaning is: "What less should we expect from someone whose name means 'wings painted with beautiful colors'?". This symbolism reflects her soaring dance abilities and international appeal as she represents Japan within a Korean group.

Favorite quotes and personal motto

Iroha often expresses her optimistic outlook through two signature phrases: "I can do anything" and "It can't be helped". These contrasting statements reveal her balanced approach to challenges—ambitious yet realistic. Her personal motto, "Don't leave any regrets," encapsulates her perfectionist attitude toward performance. She lives by another philosophy as well: "The results come out as much as you work hard", demonstrating her belief in the direct relationship between effort and achievement.

Representative emoji and fan perception

Among fans, Iroha is symbolized by the turtle emoji (🐢), representing patience, wisdom, and longevity. Some fans alternatively associate her with the baby chick emoji (🐣), highlighting her position as the group's youngest member. These symbolic representations help create her distinctive identity within ILLIT's fandom community.

Maknae traits and how others describe her

As ILLIT's maknae (youngest member), Iroha exhibits qualities that endear her to both fans and fellow members. The other members describe her speech as naturally "cute and 'maknae' like", emphasizing her youthful charm. Yet, beneath this cute exterior lies remarkable maturity. Member Yunah noted that although Iroha might be the youngest, "she had a strong mentality and takes care of the older members". This combination of cuteness and inner strength makes her stand out among K-pop's youngest idols.

Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT
Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT
Iroha (Hokazono Iroha) ILLIT

Fun Facts That Make Iroha Stand Out

Beyond her professional achievements and personal traits, Iroha ILLIT possesses several quirky characteristics that highlight her uniqueness among K-pop idols. These distinctive features add delightful dimensions to her already captivating persona.

Her pinky is 5 cm long

Among the physical traits that make Iroha stand out, perhaps none is more unexpectedly charming than her precisely measured pinky finger. At exactly 5 centimeters in length, this small detail has become an endearing talking point among fans. This seemingly minor characteristic exemplifies how even the tiniest details about Iroha ILLIT become treasured knowledge within the fandom, demonstrating the deep connection fans feel with the young performer.

She wants to visit every country

Beneath her performer identity lies a passionate traveler with ambitious global aspirations. While Australia and the United States top her immediate travel wish list, Iroha has expressed a much grander dream—she wants to visit every country in the world. Given her name's meaning of "flying around the world with beautiful wings," this wanderlust seems perfectly aligned with her destiny, suggesting her journey with ILLIT might indeed take her across the globe.

Her favorite season and movie

As a February-born idol, Iroha naturally gravitates toward winter as her favorite season. This preference connects deeply with her personal history, as she associates the season with birthday celebrations and special memories. Regarding entertainment choices, Disney's "Frozen" holds the distinction of being her favorite movie. Considering the film's winter setting and themes of sisterhood, the connection between her seasonal preference and cinematic taste becomes apparent.

If invisible, she'd play pranks

Revealing her playful side, Iroha once shared that if granted invisibility, she would use this power to play pranks on people by making objects mysteriously fly around. She specifically mentioned Wonhee as a potential target, appreciating her animated "Oh, what is that?" reactions. This mischievous admission offers a glimpse into the lighthearted camaraderie between ILLIT members.

Her most precious item: grandma's necklace

Among her possessions, nothing holds more sentimental value for Iroha than a special necklace given to her by her grandmother. Such cherished heirlooms often carry profound cultural significance in Japanese tradition, possibly symbolizing protection or family bonds. The character 福 (fortune) commonly appears on such necklaces, suggesting this treasured item might carry wishes for prosperity and good luck throughout her career.

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FAQS

Fans constantly seek deeper insights into Iroha ILLIT's life and career. Here, we address the most common questions about K-pop's rising Japanese talent.

How does Iroha handle negative emotions?

Even when experiencing negative thoughts, Iroha maintains a positive outlook. She believes that as long as she does her best, she won't have regrets. This mindset helps her manage challenging situations effectively.

Why does Iroha shed tears during performances?

At ILLIT's first anniversary fan meeting in March 2024, Iroha was seen crying. Many fans believe this stemmed from the emotional toll of receiving hate comments during what should have been the happiest time after debut. Netizens expressed concern, noting that "an 08-liner baby crying" was worrying.

What makes Iroha's dance style unique?

Specializing in hip hop dance, Iroha constantly studies her craft by watching videos of her favorite dancers and hip hop music. Her perfectionism drives her to notice "little parts that could be better" even after successful performances.

How does Iroha describe life as ILLIT's youngest member?

With characteristic sweetness, Iroha describes being the maknae as "a love-filled experience!". This positive perspective reflects her warm relationship with older members.

How does Iroha connect with GLLIT (ILLIT's fandom)?

Iroha loves sharing things she enjoys with fans, especially music, because "it's something you can listen to anywhere, anytime". She frequently recommends songs to connect with supporters.

What triggers Iroha's nostalgia about ILLIT?

She enjoys reminiscing through music or scents from specific points in time. Group conversations with all five members represent the essence of ILLIT for her.

How does Iroha view ILLIT's future path?

Iroha hopes for continuous growth, saying, "I just hope it's one where we keep moving forward and growing". She values the difficult parts of the journey, finding them rewarding when reaching goals.

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