Who Is Seeun STAYC? The Untold Story Behind The Rising K-pop Star

Seeun STAYC transformed from a child actress into one of K-pop's rising stars before joining High Up Entertainment. Born on June 14, 2003, in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, she appeared in notable dramas like "Circle" and "The Guardians" during her early career. After training for 2 years and 7 months, she officially debuted with STAYC on November 12, 2020, as part of their first single album "Star To A Young Culture."

The journey of this left-handed INFP has been remarkable within the STAYC profile. Initially revealed as the third member on September 9, 2020, Seeun has grown significantly among the STAYC members. Furthermore, she embraced a leadership position when the group announced their rotational leadership system in April 2023, making her a co-leader alongside Sieun. Outside her professional life, Yoon Seeun enjoys collecting stickers, making miniature houses, and spending time with her pet cat named Rich. Her powerful motto, "When I achieve my dreams, I'll become someone else's dream," perfectly captures the essence of her inspiring journey in the K-pop industry.

Early Life and Childhood Dreams

Born in Vision-dong, Pyeongtaek, Yoon Seeun grew up in a nurturing family environment that would later help shape her artistic journey. As the middle child of three siblings, with an older sister and a younger brother, she developed a balanced perspective that served her well in her future career path. Throughout her childhood, Seeun was affectionately called "little princess" by her mother – a nickname that hinted at her special place in the family.

Family background and upbringing

Seeun's educational foundation began at Pyeongtaek Seongdong Elementary School, followed by her attendance at Hanwang Girls' Middle School before entering Jinwi High School. Although quiet in many settings, those who knew her described a paradoxical personality – shy yet remarkably confident when pursuing her passions. This duality would later become one of her defining characteristics as a performer.

In her early years, Seeun harbored multiple dreams for her future. While many children change their aspirations frequently, she maintained consistent interest in three potential careers. "Her childhood dream was to be a singer, a flight attendant or an elementary school teacher," according to sources close to her. Interestingly, her singing ambitions initially remained private – a dream she kept close to her heart rather than openly pursuing.

"When I was young, I was ashamed and confident, so I wanted to be a teacher and a civil servant in front of people, and the singer was passive enough to be a job that dreamed only in my heart," Seeun once revealed about her childhood ambitions. This reluctance to pursue singing publicly offers a fascinating contrast to her eventual career trajectory as a STAYC member.

First steps into acting

Despite her private musical aspirations, Seeun's path to stardom began through a different artistic medium. In 2015, at around 12 years old, she was discovered and cast by Kiana Entertainment, an agency specializing in child actors. This pivotal moment marked her first professional steps into the entertainment industry, though few could have predicted her eventual rise in K-pop.

According to former classmates, Seeun had been training since middle school, which occasionally affected her school attendance. Her dedication to developing her skills was evident even at this young age, showcasing the work ethic that would later define her as a STAYC member.

Her early portfolio demonstrates impressive diversity for a young performer:

Textbook model appearances
Commercial roles for brands like Alive and Strong Math
Public service announcements including a diabetes awareness campaign video titled "Mom's Time"
Educational content such as a student suicide prevention video called "Transformation"
Acting in the Tooniverse web drama "Shining Country"

These formative experiences provided Seeun with valuable on-camera experience and comfort performing in various contexts. The combination of these early roles helped her develop poise, expressiveness, and confidence that would prove invaluable throughout her career evolution.

As her acting resume grew more substantial, Seeun began securing more significant roles in television dramas. Additionally, these early achievements positioned her perfectly for the eventual pivot to idol training. Her background in acting equipped her with performance skills that many trainees must develop from scratch, giving her a notable advantage in the competitive world of K-pop training.

While her early acting career provided a solid foundation, Seeun maintained her interest in music alongside her acting commitments. Her motto, which would later become well-known among fans, reflects this dual pursuit of artistic expression across different mediums. Eventually, this versatility would become one of her greatest strengths as an all-around performer within STAYC.

Seeun’s Acting Career Before STAYC

While many K-pop idols begin their journey as trainees, Seeun carved a unique path through the entertainment industry as a child actress first. Her acting portfolio, built before joining STAYC, provided her with valuable experience that would later enhance her capabilities as an idol.

Notable dramas and roles

Seeun's acting journey progressed from small appearances to more substantial roles in recognized Korean dramas. After starting with commercials and educational content, she steadily expanded her acting resume with increasingly meaningful parts.

Among her most notable early appearances was in the science fiction drama "Circle" (2017). This tvN production, which explored themes of alien encounters and dystopian futures, allowed young Seeun to showcase her versatility in a complex narrative structure. Her participation in such a thought-provoking series demonstrated her ability to engage with sophisticated material even at a young age.

Another significant credit in her filmography came with "The Guardians" (also known as "Lookout"), a 2017 MBC drama. In this action-thriller series centered around individuals seeking justice outside the law, Seeun further developed her range as a performer. The series, which dealt with themes of revenge and corruption, provided her with exposure to emotionally charged storytelling.

Prior to these larger productions, Seeun appeared in the Tooniverse web drama "Shining Country," which served as an important stepping stone in her acting career. Throughout this period, she balanced her acting commitments with her studies at Hanwang Girls' Middle School and later Jinwi High School.

Beyond television dramas, Seeun's acting portfolio included:

Commercial appearances for brands including Alive and Strong Math
Public service videos like the diabetes awareness campaign "Mom's Time"
Educational productions including a student suicide prevention video titled "Transformation"
Modeling work for textbooks and educational materials

These diverse experiences helped Seeun develop comfort in front of cameras across various formats and contexts, preparing her for the intense scrutiny that K-pop idols face.

Skills gained from acting

Seeun's background as a child actress equipped her with a unique skill set that many K-pop trainees must develop from scratch. First and foremost, her years of acting translated into exceptional camera awareness. On music show broadcasts and variety content, this experience manifests in her natural camera angles and expressions that connect effectively with viewers.

Moreover, emotional expressiveness became one of Seeun's strengths through her acting work. The ability to convey different feelings through facial expressions and body language is crucial for K-pop performances, particularly during the storytelling elements of music videos. Her training in portraying various characters gave her an intuitive understanding of how to communicate emotions visually.

Public speaking fluency represents another valuable skill Seeun developed through her acting career. The confidence to deliver lines clearly and engage with interview questions served her well during STAYC's debut promotions and media appearances.

Additionally, her acting experience fostered adaptability—a crucial trait for idol life. The unpredictable nature of film sets, with their schedule changes and varied requirements, prepared her for the constantly shifting demands of K-pop promotions.

Perhaps most importantly, Seeun developed performance stamina through long filming days as a child actress. This endurance proved invaluable for the physically demanding aspects of idol training and performances, which often require multiple takes and hours of continuous activity.

As she transitioned toward a career in music, these acting-derived skills created a foundation upon which Seeun could build her identity as a K-pop performer. Her journey from child actress to idol trainee represents a classic example of how diverse experiences can enrich an artist's capabilities across different entertainment fields.

The Transition: From Actress to Idol Trainee

After establishing herself as a child actress, Seeun made a pivotal career decision that would ultimately lead her to STAYC. The path from acting to K-pop stardom wasn't direct, however, as she navigated through several entertainment companies before finding her ultimate home.

Joining Plan A and Play M Entertainment

Following her acting work with Kiana Entertainment, Seeun took her first step toward an idol career in February 2018 when she joined Plan A Entertainment. This marked a significant shift in her professional trajectory, signaling her interest in potentially pursuing music alongside acting. For approximately 14 months, she honed her skills at Plan A, developing the foundational abilities needed for a K-pop career.

In April 2019, Seeun transferred to Play M Entertainment, continuing her training journey. This move came with exciting prospects, as she was reportedly positioned to debut with a new girl group called Play M Girls. Nevertheless, her time with Play M would be relatively brief—just five months in total.

By September 2019, Seeun had departed Play M Entertainment due to "undisclosed reasons". This period of company transitions might have been challenging, yet it demonstrated her determination to find the right path forward. Throughout these changes, she continued developing her performance skills, building upon the foundation established during her acting career.

Switching to High Up Entertainment

Following her departure from Play M, Seeun quickly found a new home at High Up Entertainment in October 2019. This decision would prove transformative for her career. High Up Entertainment, founded by the renowned producer duo Black Eyed Pilseung, offered unique advantages for aspiring idols. The company's founders were established hitmakers known for creating successful songs for artists like TWICE, SISTAR, and Apink.

At High Up, Seeun became part of a carefully selected group initially known as "High Up Girls". The formation process was meticulous—Black Eyed Pilseung spent three years finding the perfect combination of talents and personalities while preparing them for debut. As trainees, the group gained early exposure through appearances in the YouTube Originals documentary "K-Pop Evolution".

On September 8, 2020, High Up Entertainment officially announced plans to debut their first girl group before year's end. The following day, September 9, Seeun was revealed as the third member of what would soon be named STAYC. This announcement came after Sieun (first) and Sumin (second) had already been introduced to the public.

Altogether, Seeun trained for 2 years and 7 months across all companies before her official debut. During the pre-debut period at High Up, she participated in various content including vlogs and cover performances on the company's YouTube channel, showcasing her developing skills.

The group's official name "STAYC" was announced on October 12, 2020, replacing their provisional name "High Up Girls." Following this announcement, prologue teasers for each member were released from October 13-16, building excitement for their upcoming debut under the guidance of Black Eyed Pilseung.

This transition period—moving from acting to trainee life across multiple companies—ultimately prepared Seeun for her successful debut with STAYC on November 12, 2020, when they released their first single album "Star To A Young Culture".

Debuting with STAYC: A New Chapter

The autumn of 2020 marked a pivotal moment in K-pop history as High Up Entertainment prepared to unveil their first girl group to the world. Amid growing anticipation from K-pop enthusiasts, Seeun would finally step into the spotlight not as an actress but as an idol.

Revealing Seeun as a STAYC member

On October 8, 2020, High Up Entertainment officially announced their plans to debut a new girl group in November. Subsequently, the company began revealing members through a strategic rollout. Seeun was officially introduced as the third member of what would soon be named STAYC on September 9, 2020, following the announcements of Sieun and Sumin as the first and second members respectively.

Her official prologue film was released on October 13, giving fans a glimpse of her personality and talents. This carefully orchestrated introduction helped build anticipation for the group's eventual debut. The company's approach to member reveals—presenting them in pairs through prologue films from October 12 to 14—created a steady momentum of excitement.

Notably, even before her official debut, Seeun had already captured attention for her natural beauty. Her pre-debut photos circulated in online Korean communities, where netizens praised her visuals. Some photos even showed her appearing as a model in school textbooks, further demonstrating her photogenic qualities. This early recognition of her visual appeal helped establish her position within the group before they officially stepped onto the K-pop stage.

Debut with 'Star To A Young Culture'

STAYC officially debuted on November 12, 2020, with the release of their first single album "Star To A Young Culture". The album, produced by the renowned K-pop hitmaking duo Black Eyed Pilseung, consisted of two tracks:

"So Bad" - The lead single with a music video that garnered over 2.6 million views in its first 24 hours
"Like This" - The B-side track performed at their debut showcase

The group promoted their debut release through a VLIVE showcase where they performed both tracks. Their music show debut occurred the following day on November 13, 2020, at KBS Music Bank, with subsequent performances on Show Champion, Inkigayo, and The Show.

"Star To A Young Culture" achieved impressive commercial success, especially for a debut release:

Sold over 4,300 copies on its first day—the highest for any girl group debuting in 2020
Exceeded 10,000 copies in its first week, becoming the first 2020 girl group debut album to reach this milestone
The lead single "So Bad" debuted at number 90 on Billboard's K-pop Hot 100, later peaking at number 82
Reached number 21 on the World Digital Song Sales chart

The group's debut proved that the careful preparation by Black Eyed Pilseung had paid off. Indeed, their prior promotional activities—including dance covers of groups like Blackpink, BTS, and Stray Kids that garnered over 1 million views, plus vocal covers of Twice and Red Velvet songs exceeding 2 million views—had effectively built an audience ready to embrace their debut.

For Seeun specifically, this debut represented the culmination of her 2 years and 7 months of training across multiple companies. Her journey from child actress to K-pop idol had come full circle, opening a new chapter in her entertainment career.

Seeun’s Role and Growth in STAYC

Within the dynamic structure of STAYC, Yoon Seeun has carved a distinctive place for herself through both her vocal abilities and leadership qualities. After officially debuting in November 2020, her role in the group expanded beyond her initial position, showcasing her adaptability and growth as an artist.

Vocal position and group dynamics

In STAYC's official configuration, Seeun holds the position of lead vocalist, complementing the group's main vocalist Sieun. Her distinctive vocal color adds depth to STAYC's signature sound, particularly evident in their hit tracks like "ASAP" and "Stereotype." Throughout their discography, she consistently delivers memorable vocal parts that highlight her technical abilities.

Beyond her official position, Seeun contributes to the group through her versatility. Despite being primarily known for her vocal prowess, she frequently participates in choreography formations that showcase her dancing abilities. This adaptability makes her an essential component of STAYC's performances, as she seamlessly transitions between singing and dancing segments.

In terms of group dynamics, Seeun maintains strong relationships with all STAYC members. Her teamwork with J and Isa particularly shines during vocal arrangements, where their complementary tones create the distinctive STAYC sound. Her background as a child actress has additionally provided her with performance insights that benefit the entire group during broadcasts and variety appearances.

Concerning her development as a vocalist, Seeun's progression has been evident across STAYC's releases. From her parts in debut single "So Bad" to more recent tracks like "Teddy Bear," her confidence and vocal technique have shown marked improvement. Furthermore, her contributions to live performances demonstrate increasing stability and expressiveness.

Taking on the co-leader role

Perhaps the most significant development in Seeun's STAYC journey came in April 2023, when the group implemented a rotational leadership system. Under this innovative approach, leadership responsibilities rotate among members, with Seeun and Sieun serving as co-leaders. This arrangement reflects High Up Entertainment's commitment to distributing responsibilities and developing each member's leadership potential.

As co-leader, Seeun works alongside Sieun to:

Coordinate group activities and schedules
Represent STAYC during interviews and media appearances
Facilitate communication between members and management
Support younger members through guidance and mentorship

The co-leadership position marked a substantial evolution in Seeun's idol career, transitioning her from simply a performer to someone with administrative responsibilities. Given her background as a middle child in her family, these mediating skills presumably transfer effectively to her leadership approach in STAYC.

In essence, Seeun's journey within STAYC represents continuous growth – from her initial position as lead vocalist to embracing co-leadership responsibilities. Her trajectory demonstrates how K-pop idols often expand beyond their initial designations to take on multifaceted roles within their groups. As time passes, her abilities as both a performer and leader will likely continue developing, further cementing her place as an integral member of STAYC's identity and success.

Personal Traits That Make Seeun Stand Out

Beyond her professional accomplishments, what truly makes Yoon Seeun unique among STAYC members are her distinctive personal characteristics and endearing quirks. Her individuality shines through in everything from her psychological profile to her everyday preferences, creating a multidimensional personality that fans connect with on a deeper level.

MBTI, hobbies, and special talents

At the core of Seeun's personality is her INFP (Mediator) MBTI type. This psychological profile describes someone who is "quiet, open-minded, and imaginative," with a "caring and creative approach to everything they do." In fact, despite her seemingly reserved exterior, Seeun possesses "vibrant, passionate inner lives" typical of INFPs, who often "happily lose themselves in daydreams."

This creative mindset manifests through her hobbies, which include:

Collecting stickers
Making miniature houses
Listening to music

Her impressive range of special talents further demonstrates her diverse abilities. She excels particularly at running and playing the flute, showcasing both athletic and artistic aptitudes.

Seeun's life philosophy is beautifully captured in her personal motto: "When I achieve my dreams, I'll become someone else's dream", revealing both ambition and a desire to inspire others. This sentiment aligns perfectly with the thoughtful nature of her INFP personality.

If not pursuing her idol career, Seeun has mentioned she would likely become a drama scriptwriter, a career choice that perfectly aligns with the creative storytelling tendencies of her personality type. Consequently, this alternative path would still allow her artistic expression to flourish, albeit in a different medium.

Fun facts fans love

Fans of STAYC have embraced numerous endearing details about Seeun that make her relatable and distinctive. Her nickname "Sseni" has become a term of endearment among her supporters. Likewise, many know her English name is "Cherry", adding another layer to her identity.

Seeun shares her living space with a feline companion—a cat named Rich. Her favorite food is kimchi stew, offering a glimpse into her culinary preferences.

Interestingly, if Seeun could choose any superpower, she would select teleportation, perhaps reflecting a desire for freedom and exploration. Similarly, her wish to someday visit Vietnam with her fellow STAYC members highlights her interest in travel and group experiences.

Among STAYC members, Seeun has noted that she gets along best with Yoon, explaining that "their gags match well". Moreover, when asked which member she would cast as a female lead if she were a drama scriptwriter, she chose J, offering insight into how she perceives her groupmates.

Undoubtedly one of her most talked-about accomplishments outside music was her success in "The Silence of Idols" game, where she was "the sole survivor" and "was never caught out despite devising two of the boldest cheats in the game thus far". This achievement revealed her strategic thinking and playful cleverness, characteristics that complement her gentle INFP nature.

The fruit that best represents her, according to Seeun herself, is a peach—a fitting choice that mirrors her sweet personality and soft-spoken demeanor that have endeared her to fans worldwide.

Seeun’s Artistic Aspirations and Songwriting

As Seeun's career with STAYC progressed, her artistic ambitions expanded beyond performing to include songwriting and creative production. This evolution marks a significant step in her development as a multifaceted artist who contributes to her group's musical identity at a deeper level.

First writing credit with 'Stay With Me'

A milestone in Seeun's artistic journey came when she received her first official songwriting credit for "Stay With Me," a special track released in celebration of STAYC's second anniversary in 2022. This achievement demonstrated her growth from interpreter to creator, showing her willingness to explore different facets of musical expression.

The track holds special significance as it was specifically crafted as a gift to SWITH (STAYC's fandom), revealing Seeun's thoughtful approach to connecting with fans through music. Her lyrics explore themes of gratitude and commitment—sentiments that reflect her personal philosophy about the artist-fan relationship.

For Seeun, this songwriting experience represented more than just a professional accomplishment; it served as a creative outlet allowing her to express herself beyond the constraints of prepared concepts and choreography. Throughout the songwriting process, she worked closely with producers to ensure her artistic vision translated effectively into the final product.

Future goals in music and beyond

Looking ahead, Seeun has expressed interest in further developing her songwriting abilities and potentially exploring composition. Her background in acting combined with her musical talents positions her uniquely among STAYC members to pursue multidimensional creative projects.

Among her stated aspirations:

Expanding her involvement in the creative direction of STAYC's music
Potentially exploring solo activities that blend her acting and musical talents
Contributing more extensively to lyrics for future STAYC releases

Unlike many idols who view acting as a post-group career path, Seeun's trajectory appears to be moving in the opposite direction—from acting into deeper musical involvement. This reverse journey gives her a distinctive perspective that informs her artistic choices and creative vision.

Presently, Seeun continues balancing her responsibilities as STAYC's co-leader with her development as a songwriter. Given her background as an INFP personality type—naturally imaginative and creative—her growing involvement in music creation aligns perfectly with her intrinsic qualities and strengths.

FAQS

Fans frequently ask questions about Seeun's preferences, career aspirations, and role within STAYC. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about this versatile STAYC member, based on her own words from recent interviews.

What musical concept would Seeun like to try in the future?

When asked about concepts she'd like to explore, Seeun specifically mentioned wanting to try the rock genre. "I don't think I have ever shown anything from the rock genre, so I would like to give that a try!" she stated in a 2024 interview.

What song does Seeun consider her favorite from STAYC's repertoire?

For their "Metamorphic" album, Seeun selected "Stay With Me" as her favorite track. This choice holds special significance as it's STAYC's first fan song, which all six members helped write. The song represents Seeun's first official songwriting credit.

How does Seeun maintain her health during tours?

Unlike her regular routine at home, Seeun takes preventative measures during tours. "Usually I don't tend to take medicine or vitamins. However, since we are in an unfamiliar environment for a long time while touring, I take nutritional supplements to prevent my condition from getting worse!" she explained.

What message does Seeun have for fans?

In interviews, Seeun consistently expresses gratitude toward SWITH (STAYC's fandom). "Thank you for loving STAYC. We will give you lots of even better songs in the future. Please continue to show us lots of love!! I am always thankful and I love you!" she shared warmly.

What role does Seeun play behind the scenes?

Interestingly, Seeun often takes on hosting duties within the group. During behind-the-scenes content for their "RUN2U" music video, she assumed the role of MC, asking her members specific, occasionally teasing questions about their filming experiences.

How would Seeun describe STAYC's journey as a team?

When reflecting on STAYC's development, Seeun attributes their success to interpersonal dynamics: "Thanks to the trust and understanding we had, we became closer and that is how the current STAYC came to be".