Early Life and Pre-Debut Journey

The foundation for Moka's K-pop journey began far from the bright lights of Seoul's entertainment industry. Born and raised in Fukuoka, Japan, her path to stardom started with humble beginnings and a supportive family.

Growing up in Fukuoka, Japan

Sakai Moka spent her formative years in Fukuoka, where she completed her middle school education before eventually relocating to Korea. As the eldest of two daughters, she developed a responsible nature early on. During her trainee days, she recalled practicing dance routines at home: "I felt kind of bad for my sister, since dancing right next to her might have distracted her from studying".

How her mom introduced her to K-pop

Interestingly, Moka's passion for K-pop was inherited from an unexpected source—her mother. "It's true. So I ended up listening to a lot of music and even went to a concert with her around sixth grade," Moka explained. Her mother, a dedicated fan of BIGBANG, shared her enthusiasm for Korean pop culture, creating a special bond between them. Moka affectionately noted that her mother "gets so happy whenever I do anything that it's like she's the one doing it".

Training at HYBE Japan and BRIDGE dance school

Moka's formal training began at BRIDGE dance school, where she attended K-pop cover dance classes. "I could even feel my legs dancing during class time at school," she remembered. Her dedication led to performances with friends at local contests and eventually a significant appearance at KCON in Tokyo—her first trip without parental supervision.

In 2020, Moka officially joined HYBE Japan (then Big Hit Japan). Due to the pandemic, her first year of training was conducted online. Later, she moved to Tokyo, marking her first time living independently. Despite being nervous, she embraced her position as the oldest trainee there.

Auditioning with IU's 'Through the Night'

Initially hesitant about pursuing an idol career, Moka admitted, "I was too shy to admit I wanted to be an idol, so I was like, 'No way! No way,' and then auditioned anyway". For her audition, she performed IU's emotional ballad "Through the Night".

Joining R U Next? and making the final lineup

After three years of training, Moka joined BELIFT LAB to participate in the survival show R U Next?. Despite struggling with the Korean language, she persevered: "I tried hard to learn a lot by speaking all the time". Her hard work paid off as she ultimately ranked 5th in the competition, securing her spot in ILLIT alongside fellow contestant Yunah—both specifically chosen by the show's producers.

Debut with ILLIT and Career Highlights

March 25, 2024 marked a significant milestone in Moka's career as she officially stepped into the spotlight with ILLIT. Her journey from trainee to idol culminated in a debut that would quickly establish the group as formidable newcomers in the K-pop industry.

ILLIT debut date and EP release

ILLIT made their official entrance into the K-pop world on March 25, 2024, with their first mini-album titled "SUPER REAL ME". The EP featured four tracks: the infectious title track "Magnetic," alongside "My World," "Midnight Fiction," and "Lucky Girl Syndrome". Under the guidance of HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk and his creative team, the album centered around a blend of dance, pop, R&B, and house music.

The debut proved remarkably successful. Within 24 hours of release, "Magnetic" garnered 10 million views and 300,000 likes. Furthermore, the album sold an impressive 142,000 copies in its first week. ILLIT achieved an unprecedented feat by becoming the first K-pop girl group to have their debut song enter the Global Spotify chart within just one day.

Her role in the group and position

As one of the five members of ILLIT alongside Yunah, Minju, Wonhee, and Iroha, Moka brings her talents as a dancer and vocalist to the multinational ensemble. The group's diversity is part of its appeal, with members hailing from both Korea and Japan. This multicultural composition contributes to ILLIT's dynamic performance style and broad international appeal.

Being chosen by producers

Moka's path to ILLIT was cemented through the survival show "R U Next?" which aired in 2023. Interestingly, both Moka and fellow member Yunah were specifically selected by the show's producers rather than through fan votes alone. This highlights the producers' recognition of Moka's unique talents and potential contribution to the group.

Special MC appearance on Inkigayo

Beyond her regular performances with ILLIT, Moka achieved another career milestone on August 18, 2024, when she served as a Special MC on SBS's music program "Inkigayo". This marked her first MC experience, which she approached with characteristic dedication. "I was so nervous that I practiced three times before going to sleep last night," Moka revealed about her preparation. She received helpful advice from groupmate Yunah and support from co-host Seonghyun. Despite her nervousness, Moka reflected on the experience positively: "As a temporary MC, I felt like I gained a valuable experience".

Personality, Hobbies, and Daily Life

Beyond her impressive stage presence, Moka's private persona reveals fascinating dimensions that endear her to both groupmates and fans alike. Her multifaceted personality and distinctive pastimes showcase what makes her unique among ILLIT members.

Her caring and shy personality

Moka describes herself as a timid and nice person, qualities that complement her role as the unofficial "mother" of ILLIT. This nurturing side manifests in how she looks after fellow members, often smiling at everything and taking good care of them. Notably, her caring nature was evident from her first days in Korea—Yunah made a strong first impression on Moka by warmly welcoming her when she was scared and couldn't communicate well.

Interestingly, Moka admits to being too shy to approach new people first. "Anytime she meets someone new, she wants to be friends with them but is too shy," her teammates reveal. For those hoping to befriend her, the secret is simple—you must initiate the conversation.

Love for movies and horror films

Among Moka's most prominent hobbies, watching films stands out. She often enjoys movies while eating or before bed. Unlike many, Moka particularly gravitates toward horror films. Her personal recommendation? "A Quiet Place". However, her cinematic tastes extend beyond scary movies—she also expressed appreciation for "The Devil Wears Prada".

Gaming with Wonhee and favorite characters

In addition to her film enthusiasm, Moka enjoys gaming in her downtime. She particularly likes Nintendo games and sometimes plays together with groupmate Wonhee. This shared activity has helped strengthen their bond as teammates.

Her nickname 'Caffè Moka' and love for coffee

The origin of Moka's nickname reveals another personal preference—she specifically requested to be called "Caffè Moka" because of her genuine love for caffè mocha. This coffee connection creates a charming association with her stage name.

In her daily routine, Moka confesses to being quite the opposite of a morning person. She habitually sets multiple alarms—around five—only to turn them off one by one and continue sleeping. For stress relief, Moka turns to a familiar source of comfort—phone conversations with her mother.

Fun Facts and Unique Trivia

Getting to know Moka beyond her performances uncovers endearing details that fans treasure. Her distinctive preferences and personal quirks make her uniquely relatable to ILLIT supporters worldwide.

Favorite foods and desserts

Moka's love for culinary delights extends beyond her hobby of eating. She particularly enjoys sour jelly beans and has a notable sweet tooth. Her favorite dessert is financier, a delicate French almond cake. Moreover, if forced to choose just one food for the rest of her life, Moka would pick bread, with salt bread being her specific preference. For frozen treats, she gravitates toward vanilla, matcha, and mint chocolate ice cream flavors. Interestingly, she also enjoys bubble tea and chocolate chip cookies.

Dislikes and fears

Behind her confident stage presence, Moka harbors several common aversions. Primarily, she dislikes mushrooms—both their texture and taste make them her most hated food. As for phobias, roller coasters rank high on her list of fears. Indeed, she can only bring herself to ride indoor roller coasters. Heights similarly frighten her, along with an aversion to bugs.

Her favorite place and oldest item

Amid her busy schedule, Moka finds comfort in familiar surroundings. Her favorite place remains her house in Japan, revealing her connection to her roots. Among her possessions, the oldest item she owns is a mirror her mother purchased for her, which she has used for many years. This keepsake underscores the close bond she shares with her mother.

What fans say she looks like

Fans often note Moka's resemblance to various animals. Many compare her to a hamster, while others see qualities of a cat or rabbit in her features. These endearing comparisons highlight her cute appearance that resonates with the ILLIT fandom.

Her motto and stress relief habits

Moka lives by an inspiring personal motto: "Even if it's hard now, if I work hard at this moment, better days will come". For managing stress, she primarily relies on phone conversations with her mom. Her mother provides reassurance with positive words like "It's okay. Don't worry". Aside from these talks, Moka unwinds by turning off all lights except her mood light, watching movies, and enjoying snacks. She finds genuine happiness in these simple bedtime rituals.