BB Girls Yuna: Behind The Scenes Facts You Never Knew

Behind every brave girls profile lies an extraordinary journey, and Yuna's story with BB Girls (formerly Brave Girls) stands as one of K-pop's most remarkable comebacks. Despite debuting in 2011, the group achieved unprecedented success when their song "Rollin'" unexpectedly went viral in 2021, setting a record for the longest time between debut and first win for any girl group at 1,854 days.

Yuna, a standout among brave girls members, continued her career journey when the group reformed as BBGirls under Warner Music Korea in 2023. Notably, Yuna brave girls fame came with significant accolades including a Golden Disc Award, Melon Music Award, and Mnet Asian Music Award. BBGirls members, with an average debut age of 31.25 years, are considered one of the oldest 4th generation girl groups in the brave girls kpop profile landscape. While Yuna appears chic and haughty at first glance, she actually takes on a motherly role within the group, balancing her strong vocal abilities with a caring personality that shines through her popular YouTube channel "I Am Yuna" and her love for her six pets - four dogs and two cats.

Early Life and Pre-Debut Journey

Born in the scenic island of Jeju, South Korea, Yuna's journey to becoming one of the prominent brave girls members began far from the spotlight. Her early years shaped the multifaceted performer fans now recognize in the brave girls profile lineup.

Family background and education

Yuna completed her education through a traditional Korean schooling path, graduating from Simgok Elementary School, followed by Bucheon Bugok Middle School, and finally Jungheung High School. Her family played a significant role in shaping her career trajectory, with familial connections including her parents, brother, uncle Lee Tae-yeop, younger cousin Lee Seung-hwan, and cousin brother-in-law Ryu Won-woo.

Unlike many K-pop idols who set their sights on stardom from childhood, Yuna harbored multiple aspirations growing up. She dreamed of various career paths, imagining herself as:

A singer
Miss Korea
A painter
A veterinarian

This diverse range of interests demonstrated her creative spirit and ambition long before she became part of the bbgirls members lineup.

Initial dream of becoming a band vocalist

Music called to Yuna from an early age, but her path wasn't initially directed toward idol stardom. Instead, she was drawn to band music, hoping to become a vocalist rather than an idol performer. This passion manifested during her high school years, where she actively participated in a school rock band, honing her vocal skills and developing her musical identity.

After graduation, Yuna attempted to further her musical education by applying to a music college. However, she faced her first major setback when she didn't succeed in gaining admission. Nevertheless, this obstacle didn't diminish her determination. Rather than abandoning her musical aspirations, she continued developing her talents independently, composing her own music and working as a vocal coach.

How she joined Brave Girls

Yuna's career path took an unexpected turn through family influence. Her mother, who worked as a flight attendant, recommended she consider the same profession during a challenging period. Following this advice, Yuna applied to an aviation college and gained acceptance. However, she ultimately realized this career wouldn't fulfill her true passions.

In a pivotal moment, Yuna approached her parents with a bold request – she asked for a one-year gap period to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. Though her parents initially opposed her musical ambitions, they granted her this opportunity to explore her passion.

The countdown began, and Yuna diligently attended auditions at various entertainment companies. Fate intervened dramatically during the final month of her agreed-upon gap year when she successfully passed the Brave Entertainment audition. This eleventh-hour breakthrough led to her joining the second lineup of Brave Girls.

Consequently, Yuna debuted at age 24 after an unusually brief trainee period. The accelerated timeline presented unique challenges – primarily learning dance, a skill she hadn't focused on previously. On February 16, 2016, she officially debuted as part of the reformed brave girls kpop profile with the group's fourth digital single "Deepened".

Yuna's journey from rock band vocalist to bbgirls member exemplifies perseverance and determination. Her relatively late entry into idol training and subsequent success with Brave Girls demonstrates that unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary outcomes in the competitive K-pop industry.

Debut with Brave Girls in 2016

February 2016 marked a significant chapter in the brave girls profile as the group underwent a complete transformation after nearly three years of silence in the competitive K-pop landscape. Yuna's entry into the spotlight came at a pivotal moment for the group that would eventually evolve into the bbgirls members we know today.

Joining during the group's reformation

After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, Brave Entertainment announced a bold strategy - Brave Girls would return to the K-pop scene with a substantially revamped lineup. The reformation transformed the group from its original configuration into a seven-member ensemble. This strategic overhaul retained just two original members (Yoojin and Hyeran) while introducing five fresh faces to the brave girls members roster.

Yuna joined alongside fellow newcomers Minyoung, Yujeong, Eunji, and Hayun as part of this extensive group reformation. For the maknae (youngest member) of the reformed lineup, this opportunity arrived after an exceptionally brief training period compared to industry standards. Her accelerated path to debut highlighted both her natural talent and the company's confidence in her abilities.

The reformation represented a significant gamble for Brave Entertainment. In the fast-paced K-pop industry, even a year of inactivity can permanently damage a group's momentum, making their extended absence particularly risky. Nevertheless, the company demonstrated its commitment to giving these new brave girls kpop profile members a genuine opportunity to succeed.

First single and early performances

Yuna officially stepped into the spotlight on February 16, 2016, with the release of "Deepened," the group's comeback digital single. This R&B-influenced track showcased a more mature sound compared to the group's previous releases, allowing Yuna to demonstrate her vocal abilities from the outset.

The remainder of 2016 proved remarkably productive for the reformed brave girls profile:

June 19 - The group released their third mini-album "High Heels" along with the music video for its title track

This flurry of activity made 2016 the most prolific year in the group's career up to that point. Through these releases, Yuna established her position within the group's dynamic, contributing both vocally and to the group's visual identity.

Throughout this debut year, Yuna and her fellow yuna brave girls members embraced a particularly challenging yet rewarding aspect of their promotional activities - performing at South Korean military camps. Despite the remote locations and minimal financial compensation, these performances would ultimately play a crucial role in their future trajectory. The group reportedly performed at more than 100 military installations during their career, building a foundation of goodwill that would later contribute to their unexpected viral success.

Unfortunately, despite this productive period of releases and performances, the group struggled to achieve mainstream recognition. Their highest chart position that year came when their "High Heels" mini-album peaked at number 22 on the Gaon Weekly Album Chart. The extended hiatus and member changes had effectively reset any momentum from the group's original iteration, requiring Yuna and her teammates to essentially rebuild their fandom from scratch.

For Yuna specifically, this period represented an intense learning curve as she adapted to idol life. Having primarily focused on vocal performance prior to joining Brave Girls, she found the dance training particularly challenging. Additionally, she faced elimination in the preliminaries of the Idol Rebooting Project - The Unit after her name tag fell off just before her performance.

Rise to Fame with 'Rollin'

The unexpected resurgence of a struggling girl group stands as one of K-pop's most remarkable success stories. For Yuna and her fellow brave girls members, their fate changed dramatically in February 2021, nearly four years after releasing what would become their breakthrough hit.

The viral moment that changed everything

After years of performing at military bases with minimal recognition, the brave girls profile experienced an extraordinary reversal of fortune when YouTuber Viditor uploaded a three-minute compilation video of the group performing "Rollin'" at various military concerts. The clip featured soldiers' enthusiastic reactions alongside witty captions such as "Play this song during battles and we will definitely win wars".

The impact was immediate and unprecedented:

The video amassed approximately 15 million views in just over a month
"Rollin'" – originally released in 2017 – soared to the top of domestic music streaming charts
The song topped Billboard's K-pop 100 chart, ousting IU's "Celebrity" which had held the #1 position for seven consecutive weeks

This phenomenon became known as the "Millboard" effect – a portmanteau of military and Billboard – recognizing how soldiers' appreciation for the song during their service fueled its mainstream success. Remarkably, these performances at remote military bases, despite their low appearance fees, had built a loyal fanbase among servicemen who reportedly even taught "Rollin'" to new recruits.

On March 14, 2021, the bbgirls members achieved a milestone that seemed impossible just weeks earlier – they received their first-ever music show win on Inkigayo with "Rollin'". This victory came 1,854 days after the group's debut, setting a record for the longest time between debut and first win for any girl group.

How Yuna reacted to sudden fame

In stark contrast to their newfound success, the brave girls kpop profile had been on the verge of disbandment before the video went viral. Both Yuna and fellow member Youjoung had already moved out of their group dormitory, essentially preparing for life after Brave Girls.

A heartbreaking glimpse into Yuna's pre-viral mindset came from a live stream where she candidly responded to fan questions. When asked what she had been doing, she admitted, "To be honest, I'm going crazy". Her uncertainty about the group's future was evident when she responded to questions about their next concept by saying, "I don't know if there will be a chance for a next concept".

Moreover, Yuna revealed on an April 2021 episode of "Knowing Brothers" that she had obtained a barista license in December 2020, explaining, "I had to do something because I was so depressed". This professional backup plan illustrated how close the yuna brave girls journey had come to ending.

Overnight, the group went from contemplating career alternatives to receiving a flood of invitations for television appearances and performance opportunities. A Brave Entertainment spokesperson described the emotional impact of their first music show win: "The entire staff at our company were close to tears. The members could not believe what was happening and said it was like a surprise gift".

Pop culture critic Kim Hern-sik observed that their success wasn't merely accidental, noting that "Brave Girls' passionate performance at distant military camps finally paid off". Indeed, their perseverance through years of obscurity made their ascent all the more meaningful to fans who had supported them throughout their journey.

Yuna’s Role in BBGirls

Within the dynamic constellation of bbgirls members, Yuna occupies a distinctive position that showcases her versatility as a performer. As the group transitioned from Brave Girls to their current BBGirls identity, her contributions to their signature sound have remained consistent yet evolved in meaningful ways.

Lead vocal and rap responsibilities

In the official brave girls profile, Yuna holds the position of lead vocalist, showcasing her technical prowess through powerful high notes and emotional delivery. Alongside her vocal responsibilities, she demonstrates remarkable versatility by handling rap sections with equal confidence. This dual capability allows her to shift seamlessly between singing and rapping within the same track, providing the group with additional flexibility in song arrangements.

Her vocal color is particularly distinctive among brave girls members—characterized by a slightly husky timbre that adds texture and dimension to the group's harmonies. This unique vocal quality creates recognizable moments in their songs, giving fans specific "Yuna parts" to anticipate in each track.

Furthermore, Yuna's background in band performance prior to joining Brave Girls influences her approach to vocals, bringing a slightly different sensibility that enriches the group's overall sound. This foundation in band music gives her interpretations a distinctive edge compared to idols who trained exclusively in pop vocals.

Signature parts in hit songs

Yuna's most recognizable contribution comes in their breakthrough hit "Rollin'" where she delivers the iconic "Rolling, rolling, rolling" hook that became synonymous with the group's viral success. This signature moment showcases both her vocal color and her ability to infuse simple phrases with memorable personality.

In other tracks, her standout moments include:

The emotional bridge in "Chi Mat Ba Ram" that demonstrates her vocal range
The rap-sing transitions in "High Heels" highlighting her versatility
Her distinctive vocals in "We Ride" that help establish the song's melancholic mood

Throughout the bbgirls members' discography, Yuna consistently handles parts requiring technical precision while maintaining emotional authenticity—a balance that has become her trademark approach.

Stage presence and performance style

On stage, Yuna embodies a fascinating duality that has become central to her appeal within the brave girls kpop profile. While maintaining a chic, somewhat reserved exterior, she delivers performances with surprising power and precision. Her dance execution, particularly impressive considering her late start with dance training, shows remarkable improvement throughout her career.

Visually, she projects a sophisticated aura that contrasts interestingly with her more playful moments during performances. This juxtaposition between her elegant appearance and energetic execution creates a compelling stage presence that draws attention without overwhelming the group's balanced dynamic.

Additionally, Yuna displays exceptional professionalism during live performances, maintaining consistency even in challenging circumstances. This reliability, coupled with her distinctive vocal contributions, secures her position as an indispensable member of the group's performance lineup.

As yuna brave girls continues her journey with BBGirls, her role continues to evolve while maintaining the core qualities that endeared her to fans during their remarkable rise to fame.

Visual Identity and Style Evolution

Yuna's striking visual presence among the brave girls members forms a key part of her identity, setting her apart with a distinctive look that has evolved throughout her career.

Short hair as a trademark

Among the bbgirls members, Yuna stands out for her unwavering commitment to short hair, which has become her defining visual characteristic. This signature style emerged not from a deliberate fashion choice but from practical necessity—she initially cut her hair in middle school due to school rules and subsequently maintained the bobbed look. This consistency earned her the affectionate nickname "Short Hair Jwa" from fans.

Although she occasionally experiments with wigs or hair extensions for variety, she invariably returns to her trademark short style. After briefly growing her hair longer following the group's unexpected success, she reverted to her classic short cut on April 15, 2023. Fellow performer Yoo Jeong-eun even declared Yuna "the most well-suited person with short hair" among her acquaintances.

Fashion and makeup preferences

Outside official appearances, Yuna's personal style reflects an edgy, hip aesthetic that contrasts with the group's stage costumes. In 2022, she showcased this distinctive fashion sense through photos posted on her personal channel, highlighting her sophisticated taste.

Interestingly, the brave girls profile faced criticism regarding their stage styling, with fans expressing disappointment that the members' personal fashion choices weren't reflected in their performances. Netizens specifically praised Yuna's everyday fashion as "really hip" and lamented that the group's styling didn't showcase their natural sense of style. Many fans advocated for allowing the bbgirls members to coordinate their own stage outfits, believing their personal fashion would better represent their identities.

Nicknames and fan comparisons

Beyond "Short Hair Jwa," Yuna's distinctive appearance has prompted numerous celebrity comparisons. Fans and even her fellow yuna brave girls members note her resemblance to various Korean celebrities, including Shin Se-kyung (particularly the eyes), Kang So-ra, Kwon Eun-bi, and Irene. One selfie that particularly highlighted her similarity to Irene briefly went viral online.

Her hairstyle transformations have inspired additional comparisons—when she sported blonde hair during "High Heels" promotions, fans noted her resemblance to Android No. 18 from Dragon Ball, connecting her chic short blonde style to the iconic character.

Yuna presents an intriguing visual paradox: appearing chic and composed when expressionless yet transforming completely when smiling. This duality contributes significantly to her appeal in the brave girls kpop profile, with fans describing her as looking like "a cat when still, but like a hamster when smiling".

Personality Behind the Scenes

Beneath Yuna's polished stage persona lies a personality that contrasts sharply with her public image. This duality creates one of the most intriguing aspects of her identity within the brave girls profile, revealing layers that casual observers might never suspect.

Chic outside, soft inside

While the official brave girls kpop profile presents Yuna with a chic, girl-crush concept, the reality reveals a much softer character. According to her members, despite her strong facial features and cool girl image, her actual personality doesn't match this exterior at all. Many fans describe her as "a hamster pretending to be chic" - acknowledging the significant gap between perception and reality.

In fact, the more fans discover about Yuna, the more her genuinely cute personality shines through. This contradiction became particularly evident during her most vulnerable moments. In one heartbreaking Instagram live before the group's viral success, she confessed, "What I'm doing nowadays... should I be really honest? Nothing. I think I'm going crazy". These glimpses behind the facade revealed the emotional depth beneath her composed exterior.

Shy but naturally funny

Yuna possesses an inherently shy temperament, often becoming visibly uncomfortable when asked to perform unfamiliar tasks. Ironically, this reluctance to do forced aegyo (cute acts) makes her natural, unplanned moments of cuteness all the more endearing. As she herself has acknowledged, her aegyo comes naturally rather than through deliberate effort.

Her shyness manifests particularly when receiving attention or being asked to perform outside her comfort zone. Nevertheless, when relaxed and comfortable, Yuna's natural humor emerges effortlessly. Fellow member Yujeong noted the gravity of Yuna's mental state during their struggling period when Yuna confided, "If I lie down like this, I feel like I'm sinking to the ground" - revealing both her vulnerability and her willingness to share genuine emotions with those closest to her.

How members describe her

Among the bbgirls members, Yuna's personality earns consistent praise for its maturity and thoughtfulness. Despite being younger than many in the group, she demonstrates remarkable composure, with members identifying her as the calmest among them. They specifically highlight how she listens attentively to others' concerns and organizes things efficiently.

Somewhat surprisingly, Yuna has been described as "the most motherly member" by her colleagues. She frequently takes on the responsibility of cleaning up after others' mistakes, though her caring nature expresses itself in a characteristically straightforward manner - casually mentioning what needs attention rather than fussing over details.

This blend of maturity with an easy-going approach creates a unique presence within the group dynamic. Her personality represents yet another fascinating contradiction in the yuna brave girls story: the maknae who somehow became the group's maternal figure.

Life Outside the Stage

Away from the spotlight and stage performances, Yuna's personal passions reveal another dimension of her character that complements her role in the brave girls profile.

Love for animals and volunteer work

First and foremost, Yuna demonstrates exceptional dedication to animal welfare. Her home serves as a sanctuary for multiple pets, including four dogs: Kka-kong (born July 9, 2017), Bomi (born 2015), Bam-kong (born May 29, 2022), and Duna (born 2019). She previously cared for another dog named Luna for 12 years until 2019. Beyond dogs, she also shares her space with two cats named Al-kong and Dal-kong. Interestingly, her canine companions even have their own dedicated Instagram accounts where fans can follow their adventures.

Her compassion extends beyond her own pets. In a touching incident, Yuna once rescued an injured puppy from the road and rushed it to a veterinary hospital. Given that the bbgirls members received only modest pocket money before their viral success, it speaks volumes that Yuna donated some of these limited funds to a private animal shelter that protects abandoned dogs.

YouTube channel and personal content

Apart from her music career, Yuna maintains a YouTube channel aptly named "I Am Yuna," which offers glimpses into her authentic daily life. Created at fans' request, the channel features unpolished content showing genuine moments like room cleaning. After the group's "Rollin'" success, her subscriber count jumped dramatically from 30,000 to over 66,600.

In August 2021, following a ten-month hiatus, Yuna returned to YouTube content creation, gradually increasing her posting frequency. She mentioned during an Instagram live session that she was "thinking of doing a bit more YouTube now" and had recently upgraded her camera equipment to support this goal.

Hobbies like photography and cooking

Alongside her passion for animals, Yuna nurtures artistic pursuits outside the brave girls kpop profile. She particularly enjoys photography, with a unique eye for capturing trees and telephone poles with fallen leaves. Her dedicated Instagram account showcases these personal photographs and drawings. Remarkably, one of her photos taken during the group's hiatus was later selected as a singer's album cover.

Whenever stress builds up, Yuna turns to cooking or cleaning as therapeutic activities. She also enjoys listening to Kim Kwang-seok's music, expressing delight when receiving one of his albums as a Christmas gift in 2021.

Interesting Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Every idol has fascinating facets that rarely make it into the official brave girls profile. For Yuna, several intriguing details showcase the depth behind her public persona as one of the standout bbgirls members.

Barista license and cafe dreams

Beyond her musical talents, Yuna possesses professional barista skills that reflect both her practical nature and aspirations. During the group's challenging period before their viral breakthrough, she proactively obtained a barista license in December 2020. As she candidly revealed on "Knowing Brothers," this certification emerged from a place of uncertainty: "I had to do something because I was so depressed."

This qualification wasn't merely a backup plan—it aligned with her genuine interest in coffee culture and entrepreneurship. In several interviews, she has mentioned harboring dreams of eventually opening her own café. Interestingly, this aspiration connects perfectly with her naturally maternal instincts recognized by fellow brave girls members, suggesting a space where she could nurture both creative expression and community.

Her reaction to fan DMs

Unlike many idols who maintain distance from direct fan communication, Yuna demonstrates remarkable responsiveness to fan messages. Among the yuna brave girls community, she's become known for occasionally responding to Instagram DMs with thoughtful, personalized replies.

What truly sets her apart, nonetheless, is her characteristically straightforward approach to these interactions. Much like her "motherly" tendencies within the group, she balances warmth with practicality, sometimes offering surprisingly candid advice to fans seeking her guidance.

Why she's called 'Mr. Strange'

Among the most unexpected nicknames in the brave girls kpop profile, "Mr. Strange" captures Yuna's delightful contradictions. This peculiar moniker originated from her tendency to make unexpectedly odd comments during interviews and variety shows.

The nickname perfectly encapsulates the duality that makes her so endearing within the bbgirls members lineup—formally poised yet spontaneously quirky. Her fellow members often react with amused surprise when she delivers these strange observations, highlighting how her unpredictable moments of humor contrast with her otherwise composed demeanor.