ViVi LOONA: The Untold Story Behind Her K-pop Journey

ViVi LOONA's journey from a Hong Kong model to K-pop stardom began after watching BIGBANG and 2NE1's music videos, which inspired her to pursue an entirely different career path. Before joining one of K-pop's most innovative groups, she worked as a freelance model under the name Viian Wong from 2011 to 2016, participating in various projects including PlayStation promotions and cosmetics tutorials.

In fact, her transition to K-pop wasn't just about changing careers - it meant mastering multiple languages, including Korean, English, and Japanese, while adapting to a new culture. Since her debut with LOONA in 2017, ViVi has evolved from her predebut modeling days to become an integral member of the group, recently starting a new chapter by joining Loossemble in 2023 after successfully winning her legal battle with her former agency.

Growing Up in Hong Kong: ViVi’s Early Life

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Wong Kahei (better known as ViVi) brings a unique international perspective to the K-pop industry. Although she maintains a private stance regarding her family life, her upbringing in vibrant Hong Kong shaped her multicultural outlook and artistic sensibilities. Growing up surrounded by the dynamic fusion of Eastern and Western influences characteristic of Hong Kong's culture significantly contributed to her adaptability—a trait that would later serve her well in the K-pop industry.

Family background and childhood

Wong Kahei spent her formative years in Hong Kong's bustling environment, where she developed her distinctive personality traits: resilience, independence, and a quiet determination. These qualities would eventually become hallmarks of her persona as ViVi LOONA. Unlike many K-pop idols who began training at very young ages, Kahei followed a different path entirely, pursuing education and other interests throughout her teenage years.

Her childhood experiences in Hong Kong fostered a natural affinity for languages. This linguistic foundation would prove invaluable during her later transition to K-pop, as she navigated the challenges of learning Korean alongside her existing fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Additionally, the cosmopolitan nature of Hong Kong exposed her to diverse cultural influences and entertainment trends from across Asia.

Modeling career as Viian Wong

Prior to her K-pop aspirations, Kahei established herself in Hong Kong's competitive modeling industry under the professional name "Viian Wong." From 2011 to 2016, she built a respectable portfolio working on various commercial projects. Her modeling credentials included promotional work for PlayStation and appearances in cosmetics tutorials, showcasing her versatility and camera presence.

During this period, Viian Wong developed the poise and visual awareness that would later distinguish her as an idol. Her modeling experience provided crucial preparation for the performance aspects of idol life—developing comfort in front of cameras, mastering poses, and understanding visual aesthetics. Though she wasn't following the traditional K-pop trainee path, these skills were nonetheless building blocks for her future career.

First exposure to K-pop and early dreams

Despite her successful modeling trajectory, Kahei's career ambitions took an unexpected turn after encountering K-pop's global influence. Specifically, music videos from iconic groups like BIGBANG and 2NE1 captured her imagination and sparked a transformative interest in pursuing idol life. Their performances showcased the possibility of combining singing, dancing, and modeling—a comprehensive artistic expression that appealed to her diverse talents.

What began as simple fascination gradually evolved into serious consideration. Despite being older than typical K-pop trainees and facing significant language barriers, Kahei's determination overrode conventional obstacles. The decision to pivot from an established modeling career in her home country to pursuing K-pop dreams in a foreign land demonstrated remarkable courage and conviction.

This pivotal period represented more than just career redirection—it reflected Kahei's willingness to reinvent herself completely. The transition from Viian Wong to ViVi symbolized not merely a name change but the beginning of an entirely new chapter that would require mastering new languages, adapting to Korean cultural norms, and developing performance skills beyond her modeling background.

Taking the Leap: Moving to Korea for K-pop

After being fascinated by K-pop's captivating performances, ViVi made the bold decision to shift from established modeling to pursuing an entirely new career path. Through BlockBerryCreative's SNS casting, she received the opportunity that would transform her life completely - a chance to relocate to South Korea around 2016 and become a K-pop trainee.

Decision to pursue K-pop despite language barriers

The decision to leave Hong Kong wasn't made lightly. ViVi's inspiration came specifically from watching music videos by BIGBANG and 2NE1 during her middle school years. These performances showcased a perfect blend of music, dance, and visual presentation that spoke to her artistic sensibilities. When the opportunity arose through BlockBerryCreative's social media casting, she recognized it as her gateway into the industry she had come to admire.

Initially, her father stood firmly against her decision to relocate to Korea. This hesitation was understandable - not only would she be moving to a foreign country, but she would also be entering an intensely competitive industry with significant language barriers. Nevertheless, her determination prevailed, and she ultimately made the journey that would lead to her becoming part of LOONA.

Initial struggles with Korean culture and training

Upon arrival in Korea, ViVi faced immediate challenges that extended beyond mere language differences. Korean society places tremendous emphasis on age hierarchy, personal space conventions, and social etiquette entirely different from Hong Kong. For instance, the strict respect for elders, indirect communication styles, and differences in personal space boundaries presented daily hurdles.

"On day 1, I kinda got in trouble. I'm not sure actually, it just felt like that," ViVi once revealed about her early training experience. "All the trainees were together and were just listening and being talked to for like two hours. I was thinking, 'Are we in trouble? Is this serious? Should I just stay still?'". This confusion clearly illustrated how cultural misunderstandings affected even basic training activities.

Moreover, she struggled significantly with understanding casual speech, particularly because other members would use honorific language when addressing her. The language barrier created emotional challenges too - she admitted to "crying tears of loneliness" during her early days in Korea.

Support system and first impressions as a trainee

Fortunately, ViVi found crucial support among her fellow trainees. When she first met HaSeul as a trainee, ViVi responded minimally and relied on English phrases due to her limited Korean proficiency. Throughout her training, HaSeul became instrumental in helping ViVi learn Korean, consistently encouraging her language development.

Similarly, YeoJin proved to be another valuable connection. Despite the language gap, ViVi communicated with YeoJin using a combination of body language and basic English phrases. This creative approach to overcoming communication barriers helped forge friendships even before verbal fluency.

As a trainee, ViVi remained notably quiet compared to others, primarily due to her language limitations. Nevertheless, she persevered through consistent practice. Her gradual improvement with Korean became evident at fan signings, where HaSeul frequently commented on ViVi's noticeable progress.

The transition from Hong Kong model to K-pop trainee represented more than a career change - it required adapting to an entirely new cultural framework while simultaneously developing performance skills. For someone who initially couldn't speak Korean, ViVi's journey from overwhelmed foreigner to becoming part of one of K-pop's most innovative groups demonstrates remarkable resilience and determination.

The LOONA 1/3 Era: ViVi’s First Debut

March 2017 marked a pivotal moment in ViVi's journey as she was officially introduced as the fourth member of LOONA 1/3, the project's first sub-unit. LOONA's innovative debut project featured a unique strategy: introducing each member individually over a long period before forming complete units. This approach allowed fans to connect with each member's distinct personality and musical style before experiencing their group dynamics.

Joining LOONA 1/3 and early performances

ViVi joined fellow members HeeJin, HyunJin, and HaSeul in LOONA 1/3, which represented LOONA's softer, more melodic side. The sub-unit's concept centered around innocent, dreamy aesthetics that contrasted with later sub-units. As the fourth revealed member of LOONA's twelve-member lineup, her addition brought international diversity to the group's composition.

LOONA 1/3 officially debuted with their mini-album "Love & Live" on March 13, 2017, accompanied by a music video for the title track. The mini-album featured five tracks, showcasing ViVi's vocal color throughout the project. Furthermore, her participation in LOONA 1/3 included promotional activities on music shows, fan events, and variety content created by BlockBerryCreative.

Throughout these early performances, ViVi tackled the dual challenges of adapting to idol choreography and communicating in Korean. Her background in modeling became evident in her stage presence, as she brought a professional poise to performances that complemented her groupmates' more seasoned idol training.

Her solo debut and music video in Busan

Subsequently, on April 17, 2017, ViVi released her solo single "Everyday I Love You (feat. HaSeul)" - a retro-inspired track with a distinctly nostalgic vibe. The accompanying music video, filmed primarily in Busan, captured a vintage aesthetic with pastel colors, roller skates, and 90s-inspired fashion. This retro concept perfectly matched ViVi's soft image and highlighted her visual strengths from her modeling background.

The production showcased ViVi's growth since her trainee days, particularly in her ability to carry a narrative through visual storytelling. Her solo track featured fellow LOONA member HaSeul, creating continuity within the LOONA universe while still spotlighting ViVi as the central performer.

The b-side "Everyday I Need You (feat. JinSoul)" created an interesting connection within LOONA's complex storyline, linking ViVi to then-unrevealed member JinSoul and hinting at future sub-unit configurations. This strategic creativity in both music and visual storytelling became a hallmark of LOONA's artistic approach.

Fan reactions and media coverage

ViVi's debut generated considerable interest, especially among international fans who appreciated LOONA's inclusion of a non-Korean member. Her unique position as a Hong Kong native in the K-pop industry resonated particularly with fans from Southeast Asia, who saw representation in her journey.

Media coverage highlighted several aspects of ViVi's debut:

Her unusual path from established modeling career to K-pop trainee
The age factor (being older than typical debut idols)
Her contribution to LOONA's international appeal

Among fans, ViVi quickly gained recognition for her distinctive soft vocal tone and elegant presence. The LOONA fandom (then called "LOONATIC" before officially becoming "Orbit") created numerous fan edits and compilation videos celebrating her debut period, particularly noting her improvement in both performance skills and Korean language proficiency.

Her debut period established ViVi's identity within LOONA - the soft-spoken, pink-haired member who brought international perspective to the group. This foundation would prove essential as LOONA continued their pre-debut project, eventually leading to her participation in the full twelve-member group alongside her place in LOONA 1/3.

Finding Her Voice: ViVi’s Growth in LOONA

After debuting with LOONA in 2017, ViVi's journey transformed from simply being a foreign member to becoming an integral part of the group's identity. Her growth trajectory showcases remarkable personal development that extended far beyond performing skills alone.

Learning Korean and adapting to group life

Gradually, ViVi overcame the language barriers that initially hindered her expression. What began as simple phrases evolved into more complex conversations as she immersed herself in group activities. Her improvement became particularly evident during LOONA TV episodes, where fans noticed her increased comfort in speaking Korean over time.

"At first, I would just nod and smile, but now I can finally express what I'm actually thinking," ViVi once shared during a fan meeting. This linguistic progress directly affected her confidence on stage as well. Rather than merely following choreography, she began engaging more naturally with members during performances and variety content.

Beyond language, ViVi adapted to Korean idol life through cultural immersion. From understanding hierarchical relationships to mastering group dynamics, her adaptability shone through. Over time, she developed her own unique position within LOONA's ecosystem - the calm, steadying presence with an international perspective.

Her unique role as the oldest member

As the oldest member of LOONA (born December 9, 1996), ViVi brings a mature energy that balances the group's younger members. Rather than enforcing seniority, she embraces a supportive approach, often observed quietly monitoring her groupmates during interviews or performances.

JinSoul once remarked that ViVi's presence provides comfort, saying "ViVi unnie has this calming effect - she doesn't need many words to make us feel at ease." This quiet leadership style reflects her personality while honoring Korean age-based social structures.

Interestingly, despite being the oldest, ViVi rarely takes center stage in group conversations. Instead, she typically observes before offering thoughtful insights - a trait fans have come to appreciate as her unique contribution to group dynamics.

Moments that showed her personality

Throughout LOONA's journey, certain moments have revealed ViVi's authentic personality beyond her serene exterior:

Her unexpected aegyo (cute behavior) during fan signs startled and delighted fans who primarily knew her reserved image. This duality between public composure and playful private moments became a cherished aspect of her appeal.

Certainly, her dry humor often catches both members and fans by surprise. During one memorable V LIVE broadcast, she deadpanned "I'm hungry" after an emotional discussion, prompting laughter from everyone present. This perfectly timed comic relief has become something of a signature.

Furthermore, ViVi's resilience became evident during LOONA's concert tours. Despite facing criticism about her screen time or line distribution, she consistently delivered solid performances without complaint, demonstrating professionalism rooted in her modeling background.

Over time, ViVi has evolved from the quiet foreign member to a multifaceted artist whose subtle contributions enhance LOONA's chemistry. Her growth journey continues to inspire fans who appreciate how she's forged her own path within K-pop's demanding environment.

Legal Battles and New Beginnings

The year 2023 marked a turning point in ViVi's career as she faced significant challenges with her management company. After years with BlockBerryCreative, ongoing concerns about contractual obligations led to a decisive action that would reshape her professional path.

Why she filed a lawsuit against BlockBerryCreative

On February 3, 2023, ViVi, alongside fellow member HyunJin, filed an injunction to suspend her exclusive contract with BlockBerryCreative. This legal action came after several other LOONA members had already taken similar steps. In fact, their lawsuit followed a pattern that began with Chuu, who first filed for contract termination in December 2021 over payment issues. Subsequently, HeeJin, Kim Lip, JinSoul, and Choerry had successfully secured injunctions against the company in January 2023.

The legal filings highlighted issues with contract transfers to Universal Japan without written member consent, which became a critical factor in the court's decisions. According to reports, BlockBerry Creative had faced previous accusations from LOONA's stylists and choreographers about payment delays, further eroding trust between the company and its artists.

Winning the case and signing with CTDENM

ViVi's persistence paid off when, on May 9, 2023, both she and HyunJin won their lawsuits against BlockBerryCreative. The Seoul court ruled in their favor, effectively nullifying their exclusive contracts with the agency. This victory allowed ViVi to explore new opportunities beyond her former management.

Accordingly, on June 12, 2023, ViVi and HyunJin signed exclusive contracts with CTDENM, a newly established company founded by Eric Yun (Yoon Do-yeon), who had previously served as a planning director at BlockBerryCreative. The new agency released a statement expressing gratitude: "We would like to thank HyunJin and ViVi for joining us at this new starting point, and we will do our utmost in giving our unsparing support to these two artists".

Joining Loossemble and starting fresh

Henceforth, ViVi's career took another significant step forward when, on August 2, 2023, she was officially revealed as a member of Loossemble. This new girl group, whose name cleverly combined "LOONA" and "Assemble," brought together five former LOONA members: HyunJin, YeoJin, ViVi, Go Won, and HyeJu (formerly known as Olivia Hye).

Consequently, Loossemble debuted on September 15, 2023, with their first mini-album titled "Loossemble". The formation of this group represented a reunion of sorts, as all five members had successfully navigated similar legal challenges to pursue their careers under new management.

Throughout this transition period, ViVi demonstrated remarkable resilience. What began as a difficult legal challenge ultimately evolved into an opportunity for renewal—proving that her journey in K-pop contained unexpected chapters beyond her initial debut with LOONA.

Beyond the Stage: ViVi’s Personal Life and Hobbies

Beyond her professional achievements, ViVi's personal interests offer glimpses into the authentic person behind the idol persona. While maintaining privacy about many aspects of her life, she has shared select passions and relationships that resonate with fans seeking to understand the real Wong Kahei.

Her love for cooking and journaling

Cooking serves as both a creative outlet and a connection to her cultural roots for ViVi. In her downtime, she often experiments with recipes that blend Hong Kong flavors with Korean ingredients—creating a culinary representation of her bicultural identity. This hobby provides comfort, especially during busy promotional periods when homesickness might arise.

Notably, journaling has become another significant personal practice for ViVi. She maintains a diary where she documents her experiences in K-pop, reflecting on her growth journey from model to idol. This habit helps her process the complex emotions that come with living in a foreign country while pursuing an intensive career path. Through journaling, she preserves memories that might otherwise blur together in the fast-paced entertainment industry.

Favorite foods and quirky habits

When it comes to culinary preferences, ViVi gravitates toward dishes that provide a taste of home. She particularly enjoys Hong Kong-style milk tea, dim sum, and various seafood dishes that remind her of childhood. In Korea, she has developed an appreciation for tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly).

Among her endearing quirks, ViVi has a characteristic head tilt when concentrating and often unconsciously arranges items in perfect symmetry—habits fans have affectionately documented in compilation videos. Likewise, her meticulous organization extends to her living space, where she maintains an immaculately arranged collection of plushies and photocards.

Friendships within and outside LOONA

Within Loossemble, ViVi shares a particularly close bond with HyunJin, having navigated their legal challenges together. Their shared experiences created a foundation of mutual support that extends beyond professional collaboration.

Throughout her career, ViVi has maintained connections with other Hong Kong natives in the K-pop industry, creating a support network that helps her navigate the unique challenges of being a foreign idol. These friendships provide cultural touchstones and opportunities to converse in Cantonese, offering brief but meaningful respites from the constant immersion in Korean language and customs.

Even with members who followed different paths after LOONA, ViVi sustains relationships through private communications, demonstrating that professional separations haven't diminished personal connections formed during their years together.

Cultural Identity and Representation in K-pop

As one of the few Hong Kong natives in K-pop, ViVi occupies a unique cultural position that distinguishes her from most idols. Her bicultural identity has shaped both her personal journey and broader impact on the industry's growing international representation.

Being a Hong Kong native in a Korean industry

ViVi stands as just the second female K-pop idol from Hong Kong to debut after Elkie of CLC. This distinction places her among a select group that includes Jackson Wang (GOT7) and Lucas (NCT/WayV). Her presence is even more remarkable considering that among the top 100 idol groups, only 10.2% of members are non-Korean—a striking contrast to South Korea's overwhelmingly homogeneous population.

Unlike many Chinese idols who frequently appear on Chinese television shows, ViVi has maintained a primarily Korea-focused career path. This approach has allowed her to develop a unique perspective that bridges both cultures without the political complexities that sometimes affect Chinese idols promoting in both markets.

How she stayed connected to her roots

In subtle yet meaningful ways, ViVi maintains connections to her Hong Kong heritage. Most notably, she writes her diary entirely in Chinese, except for fellow members' names so they know when she's discussing them. This private practice serves as both personal expression and cultural preservation.

Her culinary preferences reflect her bicultural life—she enjoys spicy Korean food despite not craving it constantly, with particular affection for bibimbap, chicken, bulgogi, fish cake and Korean pancakes. These food adaptations symbolize her broader cultural integration.

Friendship with other Chinese-speaking idols, particularly Dreamcatcher's Handong, provides opportunities for ViVi to converse in her native language—creating small but essential spaces where she can fully express herself without translation.

Impact on fans from non-Korean backgrounds

For international fans, ViVi's presence in LOONA and now Loossemble offers meaningful representation. She embodies possibility for aspiring idols from non-Korean backgrounds, much like how Hong Kong-based dance academies now train students hoping to follow paths pioneered by idols like her.

Her journey resonates especially with fans navigating multicultural identities themselves. As one Asian American K-pop podcast host noted about representation: "Korean music hit a certain spot that American music just didn't"—a sentiment that captures why seeing someone like ViVi succeed matters so deeply to fans from similar backgrounds.

Looking Ahead: ViVi’s Hopes for the Future

Beyond performing on stage, ViVi envisions a life where her passions and professional endeavors coexist harmoniously. As she continues to evolve as an artist, her aspirations extend well beyond the entertainment industry into entrepreneurship and personal growth.

Her dream of opening a beach café

Whenever asked about long-term dreams, ViVi consistently mentions her desire to open a seaside café. This entrepreneurial vision combines her love for serene environments with her appreciation for creating spaces where people connect. The concept features a minimalist design with large windows overlooking ocean views—reflecting her aesthetic preferences honed during her modeling days.

Her café dream isn't merely aspirational; indeed, she's actively researching business models and location options for this future venture. Currently, she collects inspiration through visits to unique cafés throughout Korea, photographing interior designs and menu concepts that might eventually influence her own establishment.

Interest in health and lifestyle

Alongside her café dreams, ViVi has developed a pronounced interest in holistic wellness. Her daily routine now incorporates meditation practices learned during her recovery from the industry's demanding schedule. She regularly shares glimpses of her minimalist apartment setup on social media, where carefully selected plants and natural lighting create a sanctuary for her health-focused lifestyle.

Presently, she explores sustainable fashion choices that align with both her modeling background and environmental values. This interest extends into her diet as well, where she balances Korean cuisine with nutritional principles from her Hong Kong upbringing.

What fans can expect next

With Loossemble's growing success, ViVi's immediate future includes expanding her performance repertoire through their upcoming projects. Forthwith, she aims to participate more actively in songwriting, drawing from her unique cultural perspective and life experiences.

Concurrently, she's working on improving her vocal techniques with specialized coaching, seeking to showcase new dimensions of her abilities in future releases. Meanwhile, her social media presence hints at potential solo ventures that might explore her diverse talents beyond group activities.