Choi Yena Profile 2026: Age, Bio, Career & Interesting Facts
Choi Yena (최예나), known mononymously as Yena, is a South Korean singer, rapper, and actress born on September 29, 1999. She is a soloist under Yuehua Entertainment and a former member of the South Korean–Japanese girl group IZONE. Yena gained public recognition after finishing fourth on Mnet’s reality survival show Produce 48 in 2018, which led to her debut as a member of IZONE. Following the group’s disbandment in 2021, she launched her solo career on January 17, 2022, with the release of her first extended play Smiley.
In 2026, Yena continues to release music, host variety programs, and maintain an active presence in the Korean entertainment industry.
Quick Facts Table
Table of Contents
Early Life and Family
Childhood
Choi Yena was born on September 29, 1999, in Gil-Dong, Gangdong District, Seoul, South Korea. As a child, she was diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of childhood cancer.
Parents and Family Background
Yena is the younger sister of singer and actor Choi Sung-min. Her brother is four years older and debuted in 2010 as a member of the co-ed group男女共學 (Coed School) and later its male subgroup SPEED. He has also pursued acting.
No publicly verified information is available regarding her parents’ names or occupations.
Education
Yena attended and graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School (한림연예예술고등학교) in Seoul.
Choi Yena Age and Birthday
Yena was born on September 29, 1999. In 2026, she is 26 years old internationally. Her zodiac sign is Libra.
| Age Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 29, 1999 |
| International Age (2026) | 26 years |
| Korean Age (2026) | 28 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Blood Type | A |
Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) |
| Weight | 45 kg (99 lbs) |
| Blood Type | A |
| Eye Color | Brown-Dark |
| Hair Color | Brown-Dark |
Yena addressed her weight publicly in early 2026 after fans expressed concern about her appearance. She acknowledged that she had lost a significant amount of weight and confirmed that people were worried.
Career Journey
Pre-debut (Before 2018)
Yena was a trainee under Polaris Entertainment before joining Yuehua Entertainment. In 2017, she served as a host for SBS’s program Cooking Class.
2018–2021: Produce 48, IZ*ONE, and Acting Debut
On May 11, 2018, Yena was revealed as a contestant on Mnet’s survival show Produce 48, representing Yuehua Entertainment. She finished in fourth place overall, securing a position in the debut lineup of the project girl group IZ*ONE.
IZ*ONE officially debuted on October 29, 2018, with their first extended play ColorIZ. The group achieved significant commercial success, with their albums reaching number two on Korea’s Albums Chart and number one on Japan’s Albums Chart. Their releases were certified platinum in South Korea by the KMCA.
During her time with IZ*ONE, Yena served as the group’s main rapper, lead vocalist, and lead dancer. The group’s activities included multiple Korean and Japanese releases, concert tours, and variety show appearances.
On April 29, 2021, IZ*ONE officially disbanded following the conclusion of their exclusive contract. The group held a final online concert on March 14, 2021, where they formally announced their disbandment.
Yena made her acting debut in the second season of Naver TV Cast’s The World of My 17, playing the female lead role.
2022: Solo Debut with SMiLEY and Smartphone
On January 1, 2022, Yena announced her solo debut through a New Year’s greeting message. She released her first extended play ˣ‿ˣ (SMiLEY) on January 17, 2022. The album charted at number two on Korea’s Albums Chart.
On the same day as her debut, Yena announced her official fan club name: Jigumi (지구미).
On August 3, 2022, she released her second mini album Smartphone.
2023: Love War, Hate XX, and Japanese Debut
Yena released her first single album Love War on January 16, 2023.
In 2023, she also made her Japanese debut. No publicly verified information is available regarding the specific release details of her Japanese debut activities.
2024: NEMONEMO
On September 30, 2024, Yena released the album NEMONEMO.
2025: Solo Comeback and First Solo Concert
In July 2025, Yena made a solo comeback. She held her first solo concert on January 25–26, 2025, at Yonsei University Grand Auditorium.
In December 2025, Yena received the Best Musician (Solo) award at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards (AAA).
2026: LOVE CATCHER and Continued Activities
On March 11, 2026, Yena released the album LOVE CATCHER. She promoted the title track “Catch Catch” on music shows including Music Bank and Inkigayo, with 4K fancams of her performances uploaded by various broadcasters.
On August 3, 2026, Yena appeared as a cast member on the variety program My Remaining Love (내 남은 사랑).
In 2026, Yena also embarked on her 2026 YENA LIVE TOUR [2nd World] , performing in multiple cities including Macau on April 25, 2026.
Choi Yena Career Timeline
Awards and Achievements
Yena’s achievements as a member of IZ*ONE include multiple music show wins, platinum certifications in South Korea, and number-one rankings on Japan’s Albums Chart. However, specific individual award nominations and wins outside of the 2025 AAA award are not extensively documented in publicly verified sources.
Choi Yena Relationship Status
No publicly verified information is available regarding Yena’s current relationship status. She has not publicly disclosed any romantic relationships.
Choi Yena Net Worth
Various online sources have estimated Yena’s net worth. According to AllFamousBirthdays.com, Yena had a net worth of approximately $1.5 million In 2022, derived from her work with IZ*ONE and her solo activities.
Yena has publicly shared that her first “settlement” or paycheck came from prize money she earned on the variety show Prison Life of Fools.
No publicly verified information is available regarding her current net worth In 2026.
Income Sources
- IZ*ONE activities (album sales, concerts, merchandise)
- Solo music releases (album sales, streaming revenue)
- Concert tours
- Variety show appearances
- Acting roles
- Endorsements and brand collaborations
Choi Yena Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle/URL | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 최예나 | Official channel |
| yena.jigumina | Official account |
Lesser Known Facts
- Childhood Cancer Survivor: Yena was diagnosed with lymphoma as a child and overcame the illness.
- Brother is Also a Celebrity: Her older brother, Choi Sung-min, is a singer and actor who debuted in 2010 as a member of the co-ed group Coed School and its subgroup SPEED.
- English Name: Yena’s English name is Candy Choi.
- Training Period: She trained for approximately 3 years and 5 months before debuting.
- First Paycheck: Her first earnings came from prize money on the variety show Prison Life of Fools, not from music activities.
- Hobbies: Yena enjoys watching movies and playing games.
- Talents: She is known for her skill at playing claw machines.
- Fan Club Name: Her official fan club name is Jigumi (지구미), announced on the day of her solo debut.
- Acting Debut: Yena made her acting debut as the female lead in the second season of The World of My 17.
- Variety Host Experience: Before her idol debut, she worked as a host for SBS’s Cooking Class in 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How old is Yena in 2026?
Yena was born on September 29, 1999. In 2026, she is 26 years old internationally.
2. What is Yena’s height and weight?
Yena’s height is 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) and her weight is approximately 45 kg (99 lbs).
3. When did Yena debut as a solo artist?
Yena made her solo debut on January 17, 2022, with the release of her first EP ˣ‿ˣ (SMiLEY).
4. What is Yena’s real name?
Yena’s real name is Choi Yena (최예나).
5. What group was Yena in before going solo?
Yena was a member of the South Korean–Japanese girl group IZ*ONE from 2018 to 2021.
6. What is Yena’s fan club name?
Yena’s official fan club name is Jigumi (지구미), announced on January 17, 2022.
7. Does Yena have any siblings?
Yes, Yena has an older brother named Choi Sung-min, who is a singer and actor.
8. What awards has Yena won?
Yena won the Best Musician (Solo) award at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards (AAA).
9. What is Yena’s blood type?
10. When was Yena born?
Yena was born on September 29, 1999.
Conclusion
Choi Yena has established herself as a versatile entertainer in the South Korean music industry. From her childhood overcoming lymphoma to finishing fourth on Produce 48 and debuting with IZ*ONE, she has demonstrated resilience and talent throughout her career.
Her transition to a solo artist in 2022 marked a new chapter, with releases including Smiley, Smartphone, Love War, NEMONEMO, and LOVE CATCHER. In 2025, she achieved recognition with the Best Musician (Solo) award at the Asia Artist Awards and held her first solo concert.
In 2026, Yena continues to release music, perform on tour, and appear on variety programs, maintaining her position as an active and evolving presence in K-pop.
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