Nova (X:IN) Profile 2026: Bio, Age, Career & Interesting Facts
Nova (X:IN) is a Russian K-pop idol born Maria Pavlovna Emelyanova on October 10, 2002, in Moscow, Russia. She is the main rapper and lead dancer of the multinational girl group X:IN, which debuted on April 11, 2023. Before her K-pop career, Nova worked as a voice actress for Russian dubs of The Amazing World of Gumball and Despicable Me 2, and was a member of the dance cover crew Dalcom. She trained for only four months before debuting. Nova speaks Russian, English, and Korean, and her Instagram handle is @mermarie.
The K-pop industry has seen a remarkable rise in multinational groups, and X:IN stands at the forefront of this global wave. Among its five members, Nova brings a unique Russian flavor to the group’s dynamic. As the main rapper and lead dancer, she has quickly captured the attention of fans worldwide with her distinct voice, captivating stage presence, and intriguing pre-debut journey.
Born Maria Pavlovna Emelyanova in Moscow, Nova’s path to K-pop stardom is anything but conventional. Before she ever stepped foot on a Korean music show stage, she was voicing animated characters in Russian dubs and performing K-pop dance covers with her crew. Her transition from a Russian dance cover enthusiast to a K-pop idol is a testament to her dedication and the increasingly borderless nature of the global music industry.
This comprehensive profile delves into everything you need to know about Nova (X:IN)-from her early life in Russia and her unexpected entry into the K-pop world, to her role in X:IN, her personal interests, and the fascinating facts that make her a standout member of this multinational girl group.
Nova (X:IN) Quick Facts
Who Is Nova in X:IN?
Nova is a Russian rapper, dancer, and singer who has been a member of the multinational K-pop girl group X:IN since its debut on April 11, 2023. She holds the positions of Main Rapper and Lead Dancer in the group.
What makes Nova particularly unique is her background. She is one of the few Russian idols actively promoting in the K-pop industry. Her journey to Korea involved a remarkably short training period of just four months at GBK Entertainment before she was confirmed as a member of X:IN. Before her K-pop career, Nova worked as a voice actress for Russian-language dubs of popular animated series and films. She was also a member of the Russian dance cover team Dalcom.
Nova’s addition to X:IN, alongside members from South Korea, India, and Australia, helped solidify the group’s identity as a truly global K-pop act.
Early Life and Education
Nova was born Maria Pavlovna Emelyanova in Moscow, Russia, on October 10, 2002. She grew up in the Russian capital with her family, which includes her parents and a younger sister named Vasilisa.
Growing up, Nova displayed a natural affinity for the arts. She began dancing at the young age of four. This early start laid the foundation for her future career as a performer. In an interview, she revealed that before coming to Korea, she studied biotechnology at university for two years. She also mentioned winning biology olympiads, showcasing her academic strength alongside her artistic pursuits.
Her interest in K-pop grew through dance. Nova was a member of the Russian dance cover crew Dalcom, where she performed K-pop dance covers. It was through her dance cover videos that her journey to becoming a K-pop idol truly began. A fan suggested she try out for online auditions in Korea. This encouragement led her to apply, and she eventually joined GBK Entertainment as a trainee on their online training platform, Universe.
Career Journey
Pre-Debut Career: Voice Acting and MEP-C
Before her K-pop debut, Nova built an impressive portfolio as a voice actress. She provided Russian-language dubbing for several well-known animated series and films. Her most notable voice roles include:
- Anais Watterson in The Amazing World of Gumball
- Agnes in Despicable Me 2
- Zoe Lawton in Suicide Squad
This voice acting experience not only showcased her versatility but also gave her valuable performance skills that would later translate to her stage presence as an idol.
In late 2022, Nova joined GBK Entertainment and became a trainee on their platform Universe. On November 29, 2022, she was revealed as a member of GBK’s upcoming girl group, MEP-C. However, she left the group in early 2023 before they could debut.
Debut with X:IN
Nova’s K-pop debut came quickly after her departure from MEP-C. On March 7, 2023, she was spotted alongside Aria in the lineup reveal video for the 44th K-Stage Yes or No concert, confirming her as a member of X:IN. Later that same day, she was officially revealed as the fourth member of the group.
X:IN made their official debut on April 11, 2023, with the digital single “Keeping the Fire”. The original lineup consisted of Roa, E.sha, Chi.U, Nova, and Aria. Nova’s powerful rapping and sharp dance moves quickly made her a standout performer.
Recent Activities and Musical Growth
Since her debut, Nova has been an integral part of X:IN’s musical evolution. She has contributed to the group’s songwriting, participating in writing lyrics for tracks including “SYNCHRONIZE,” “WITHDRAW,” “Almost Done,” and “Who Dat”.
For X:IN’s first single album “RRRUN” in 2025, Nova not only contributed to the lyrics of the B-side track “Creamy” but also designed the characters for the music video and album. This demonstrated her growing involvement in the creative process beyond just performing.
The group has continued to release music and build their international fanbase. In 2025, they released their third mini album Defend Myself, which featured the title track “Attention Seeker” incorporating Hindi and Russian lyrics-a proud moment for Nova, who helped include her native language in the song.
X:IN also participated in the 2025 Chuseok Special of the Idol Star Athletics Championships (ISAC). In December 2025, Nova attended the 1st Teddy’s Awards 2025, where she posed on the red carpet.
Family Background
Information about Nova’s family is relatively limited, as she tends to keep her personal life private. However, it is publicly known that she has a younger sister named Vasilisa. Her family consists of her parents and her sister.
She has mentioned that her family has been supportive of her K-pop career, though specific details about her parents’ occupations or backgrounds have not been disclosed publicly.
![𝙽𝙾𝚅𝙰 [노바] 𝚇:𝙸𝙽 💫 | Nova's Pre-Debut Photos You Probably Haven't Seen Yet🤍 Creadit: readylovexin . . . . . . #노바 #NOVA #XIN #novaxin #newstarnova #xinnova... | Instagram](https://kpopbio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/images-1.jpg)
Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Nova stands at approximately 157–159 cm (5’1″–5’3″) and weighs around 42 kg (92 lbs). Her blood type is O, and her MBTI personality type is INFJ, which is often described as the “Advocate” personality-idealistic, principled, and creative.
Nova is known for her blonde hair, which has become somewhat of a signature look for her. Interestingly, she is not naturally blonde. Her nickname “Chijeunyang” (치즈냥) comes from her blonde hair, which reminded fans of cheese.
Her representative emoji is a cat .
Relationship Status
In 2026, Nova’s relationship status is not publicly confirmed. Like many K-pop idols, she maintains privacy regarding her personal life and dating status. There are no public records or official statements about her being in a relationship. She remains focused on her career with X:IN and her growth as an artist.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Exact figures for Nova’s net worth are not publicly available. As a member of a relatively rookie group from a smaller agency, detailed financial information is not disclosed.
Her primary sources of income include:
- Music sales and streaming royalties from X:IN’s discography
- Performance fees from concerts, festivals, and music shows
- Merchandise sales
- Brand endorsements and promotional activities (as available)
- Songwriting royalties from her contributions to X:IN’s tracks
It is common for K-pop idols from smaller agencies to earn less than their counterparts from major entertainment companies, especially in the early years of their careers. As X:IN continues to grow their fanbase and release more music, Nova’s earnings and net worth are expected to increase accordingly.
Social Media Profiles
Nova maintains a presence on several social media platforms, allowing fans to connect with her:
Group Social Media:
- Instagram: @x.in_official
- Twitter: @X_in_official
Awards and Achievements
While Nova is still early in her career, she has already achieved some notable milestones:
- X:IN won “Rookie of the Year” at the Korea Best Awards on November 21, 2023
- Nova won first place in the rhythmic dance category at an event, surpassing Kep1er’s Xiaoting
- Attended the 1st Teddy’s Awards 2025 as a representative of X:IN
- Contributed to songwriting on multiple X:IN albums
- Designed characters for the “RRRUN” music video and album
As X:IN continues to grow and release new music, more accolades are likely to follow.
10 Interesting Facts About Nova (X:IN)
- She started dancing at age four. Nova has been passionate about dance from a very young age.
- She was a voice actress. Before becoming a K-pop idol, Nova voiced characters in Russian dubs of The Amazing World of Gumball, Despicable Me 2, and Suicide Squad.
- She trained for only four months. Nova’s training period at GBK Entertainment was remarkably short before she debuted with X:IN.
- She studied biotechnology. Before moving to Korea, Nova studied biotechnology at university for two years.
- She won biology olympiads. Nova demonstrated academic excellence by winning biology competitions.
- She is not naturally blonde. Her iconic blonde hair is not her natural color.
- Her representative emoji is a cat.
- She speaks three languages. Nova is fluent in Russian, English, and Korean.
- Her favorite singer is BLACKPINK’s Jennie.
- She relieves stress through deep conversations, listening to music, and doing nail art.
FAQ Section
1. What is Nova’s real name?
Nova’s real name is Maria Pavlovna Emelyanova (Мария Павловна Емельянова).
2. How old is Nova from X:IN?
Nova was born on October 10, 2002, making her 23 years old In 2026.
3. What is Nova’s nationality?
Nova is Russian. She was born in Moscow, Russia.
4. What is Nova’s position in X:IN?
Nova is the Main Rapper and Lead Dancer of X:IN.
5. When did Nova debut with X:IN?
Nova debuted with X:IN on April 11, 2023.
6. What is Nova’s Instagram?
Nova’s Instagram handle is @mermarie.
7. How tall is Nova?
Nova’s height is approximately 157–159 cm (5’1″–5’3″).
8. Was Nova a voice actress?
Yes. Before becoming a K-pop idol, Nova worked as a Russian voice actress for various films and series.
9. Was Nova in another group before X:IN?
Yes. She was a pre-debut member of MEP-C under GBK Entertainment.
10. What languages does Nova speak?
Nova speaks Russian, English, and Korean.
11. What is Nova’s MBTI?
Nova’s MBTI is INFJ.
12. What is Nova’s blood type?
Nova’s blood type is O.
13. Does Nova have siblings?
Yes. She has a younger sister named Vasilisa.
14. What is Nova’s favorite food?
Nova likes to eat sweet potatoes.
15. What is Nova’s favorite song?
Her favorite song is LE SSERAFIM’s “ANTIFRAGILE”.
16. What dance crew was Nova part of?
Nova was a member of the Russian dance cover crew Dalcom.
17. How long did Nova train before debuting?
Nova trained for approximately four months at GBK Entertainment.
18. What is Nova’s representative emoji?
Her representative emoji is a cat .
19. Has Nova won any awards?
X:IN won “Rookie of the Year” at the Korea Best Awards in 2023, and Nova won first place in a rhythmic dance category.
20. What is Nova’s role in X:IN’s music?
Beyond performing, Nova has contributed to songwriting and even designed characters for the “RRRUN” music video.
Conclusion
Nova’s journey from a young dancer in Moscow to a K-pop idol in Seoul is a remarkable story of talent, determination, and cross-cultural connection. As the main rapper and lead dancer of X:IN, she brings a unique Russian flavor to the group’s multinational lineup, helping to redefine what it means to be a K-pop artist in today’s globalized music industry.
Her background as a voice actress, her academic achievements in biotechnology, and her rapid rise to debut status all paint a picture of a multi-talented individual who is unafraid to pursue her dreams across borders. With her contributions to songwriting, music video design, and the group’s creative direction, Nova is proving herself to be more than just a performer-she is an artist with a vision.
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