Choi Ye-na
A vibrant South Korean soloist who pivoted from a beloved group member to a chart-topping artist known for her bright, energetic pop anthems.
Born 1999 (age 27)·South Korean singer·Birthday: September 29·Generation Z
Biography
Choi Ye-na, known simply as Yena, first captured hearts as a member of the immensely popular project group Iz*One, formed through the high-stakes competition show 'Produce 48'. With her distinctively husky voice and effervescent 'duck-like' charm, she stood out in the 12-member ensemble. When the group disbanded in 2021, all eyes were on her next move. She answered with a confident solo debut in 2022, shedding any pre-conceived notions with 'Smiley,' a track bursting with punk-pop energy and her signature quirky personality. This successful reinvention proved she was more than a group alum; she was a versatile performer with a defined artistic color. Yena has since built a reputation for crafting catchy, guitar-driven pop that feels both nostalgic and fresh, solidifying her place as a rising solo force in the K-pop landscape while also exploring acting.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Choi was born in 1999, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Choi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1999
#1 Movie
Star Wars: Episode I
Best Picture
American Beauty
#1 TV Show
ER
Choi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1999Born
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2004Started school
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2012Became a teenager
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Could drive
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2017Could vote
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2020Turned 21
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 27 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Finished in fourth place on Mnet's 'Produce 48' in 2018, earning her spot in the project group Iz*One.
- Her solo debut title track 'Smiley' (featuring BIBI) won first place on multiple South Korean music shows in 2022.
- Her first EP 'Smiley' debuted at number three on South Korea's Circle Album Chart.
- As part of Iz*One, she released multiple albums that topped charts in South Korea and Japan.
Did You Know?
Her fans are called 'Jigumi,' which combines the Korean word for duck ('jigu') and the word for friend ('chingu'), referencing her nickname.
She is close friends with fellow former Iz*One member and soloist Lee Chae-yeon.
She is skilled in taekwondo and holds a black belt.
She has a pet dog named BBichu.
“I want to be an artist who can show a new side every time.”
