Yena

* Korea
* Japan

**“Choi Ye Na”** (최예나), also simply known as **“Yena”** (예나) is a former member of IZ\*ONE. She is a soloist under Yuehua Entertainment, who became a member of the project group after participating in Produce 48 as a contestant and finishing in 4th place in the ranking.

## Official Profile

* Birthday: September 29, 1999
* Blood type: A
* Height: 163cm
* Hobby: Watching movies
* Talent: Playing claw machines, Playing games

## Career

### Childhood

She is born on September 29, 1999 in Gil-dong, Seoul, South Korea. Her family consists of her mother, her father, her older brother Sung-min and her dog Ganjang.

As a child, Yena was diagnosed with lymphoma, due to financial difficulties in paying for treatment costs, her parents sold Gimbap  on the streets every morning.

Her older brother is Sungmin, a former member of SPEED. His group did not go well, which is why her parents were reluctant to let their daughter become an idol.

### Pre-debut

She trained at Polaris Entertainment along with HeeJin and HyunJin of LOONA. Then, she trained 2 years and 3 months under Yuehua Entertainment.

### Produce 48

On May 11, 2018, Yena was announced as a contestant on Produce 48, as a trainee under Yuehua Entertainment. She is known as a bubbly, bright and funny girl offstage, but owns a strong aura when on stage. Yena is also one of the all-rounders. She was apart of a performance team named 1AM along with Lee Ga Eun, An Yu Jin, Heo Yun Jin and Takahashi Juri. On August 30, she finished the competition in 4th place with 285,385 votes, debuting as a member of the project group, IZ\*ONE.

### Debut with IZ\*ONE

The group officially debuted on October 29, 2018 with their first mini album COLOR\*IZ with the title track, La Vie en Rose.

### Post-IZ\*ONE / Solo / Actress

On August 10, 2021, Yena's agency, Yuehua Entertainment, reported that she would be debuting as a solo artist within the second half of the year, though nothing was confirmed at the time. However, on October 4, it was announced that her solo debut album would be postponed to take place during the first half of 2022.

On October 7, she was confirmed to make her acting debut. She appeared on the second season of the drama *The World of My 17* as the lead female, with her character name being Oh Na Ri.

With a New Year's greeting message on January 1, 2022, Yena officially confirmed that she would be making her long-awaited solo debut with the mini album SMiLEY on January 17.

## Filmography

### Television

* Produce 48 (2018)

* IZ\*ONE Chu S1 (2018), S2 (2019), S3 (2020)
* IZ\*ONE Chu ON TACT (S4) (2020)

* Eating Trip S1 (2020), S2 (2021), S3 (2021)
* Prison Life of Fools (2019)
* Girls High School Mystery Club S1 (2021), S2 (2021)
* Idol's Dictation Contest S1 (2021), S2 (2021)
* Firework Handsome (2021)
* Yena's Animal Detective S1 (2021)
* King of Sleeping Man (2021)
* Bloody Game (2021)

## Discography

### Korean

#### Mini Albums

* SMiLEY (2022)
* SMARTPHONE (2022)
* GOOD MORNING (2024)

#### Single Albums

* "Love War" (2023)
* "Hate XX" (2023)

### Japanese

#### Singles

* "SMiLEY -Japanese ver.- (feat. Chanmina)" (2023)
* "DNA" (2024)

## Pairings

* YenBi
* Tom & Jerry
* 99 Line
* ChaeYena
* SsamYen
* YeMin
* Yenako
* Yetomi
* YulYen
* YenJin
* YenWon

## Units

* AnJangChoi
* Bluffer Line
* ChaeYenJin
* Gamer Alliance
* Hanlim Line
* JoYuriz
* Prince Line
* Suspenderz
* Traffic Lights Line
* Unnie Line

## Unit Songs

* Rumor
* Neko ni Naritai
* See You Again
* Toshishita Boyfriend
* Shigaisen Nanka Buttobase
* Fukigen Lucy
* DREAMLIKE
* SO CURIOUS
* SOMEDAY
* Dousurebaii?
* Gangsta
* Roly-Poly

## References

1. ↑ Wikipedia: Gimbap
2. ↑ Youtube: IZ\*ONE CHU EP.4 + Produce 48 Interview