February 11th, 2022
Glam Magazine

Sena Yoon is one of the most popular idols in South Korea. Making her debut in 2017 as part of the four-member group ROXI, she's left her mark not only in the KPOP world but in film, television, and fashion! We sat down with arguably the most well-rounded talent in the last decade and asked her a few questions about her childhood, dancing, acting, modeling, and being a part of HYBE's newest girl group!

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Article by: Minjae Choi

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It was a bright sunny day in February, despite the chilly temps, and I was sitting in the studio space waiting for my interviewee to arrive. The photography crew had set up a white screen and multicolored light projectors to prepare for the day's photoshoot with South Korea's sweetest idol.

When Sena arrived, she would get into hair, makeup, and wardrobe to take photos for the magazine first. Then, I'd have the specialty of sitting down with her and asking the juicy questions. She wore a fluffy, long white skirt and matching white corset with a short-sleeved floral tee underneath. Her dark brown hair had several curls throughout and would bounce every time she shook her head or laughed.

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Q: What made you first interested in dancing?

Sena: I was really shy growing up. My parents signed me up for classes so I could be with other kids my age and hopefully grow out of my shyness... it kind of worked. I really enjoyed dancing and being onstage. I think that was the only time I felt not shy.

Q: You don't have any siblings correct?

Sena: Yes.

Q: How was it growing up as an only child? What kind of activities did you enjoy?

Sena: It was really nice. I played really well by myself... I had lots of toys so I'd mostly always be playing with them. I also had a puppy growing up but she unfortunately got sick when I went to middle school. But yeah, my childhood was nice.

Q: So you were dancing since elementary school and then you got scouted in high school by a kids' modeling agency? Tell us more about that.

Sena: Yeah. I was scouted multiple times in middle school, but my parents were a bit skeptical at first. So they declined. When I entered high school, I was scouted again and my parents were a little bit more okay with it since I was a little older, so they let me take a couple of modeling classes before I got signed. I remember having two classes a week and then photoshoots or other gigs on the weekends.

Q: Then, you had your first photoshoot at the age of 14 for several teen magazines, and that was when SM Entertainment called you up! That must've been exciting for you.

Sena: It was very exciting and kind of scary because it was my first time, you know, in that space. I had just started modeling and acting training and was getting so much attention so fast.

Q: Around that time, you also majored in Acting at your performing arts school and featured in a few commercials via your agency.

Sena: Correct.

Q: Your face was very popular around the city! Once you started modeling and doing commercials, did you think, "Oh, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life?" Was acting your dream goal?

Sena: At the time, I think it was. And it still is. Similar to dancing, acting really helped me come out of my shell. I felt excited when I could explore different identities... it didn't feel like work, it felt like play. Like, when I would make up stories with my dolls as a kid. It was just fun. But back then, I also saw the potential to be on the big screen in movies and my parents were also supportive.

Q: Since we're talking about acting, you've come a long way since your first debut a couple of years ago. You were an extra in the teen drama 'Revenge Note' S2 - alongside Park Solomon, Ahn Seohyun, and Samuel Kim who used to train with Seventeen.

Sena: Exactly.

Q: I'm curious: Did you know Samuel back then? Like, how cool is that to have that connection?

Sena: I actually never met him until we filmed together. I think he had left Pledis before I even arrived, so I never-- I didn't even know he trained with Seventeen until later. But I remember him as being such a nice kid. Super hard-working.

Q: So fun! Okay. So you were in that drama, then you started doing more teen dramas and romantic comedies. I think people know you as the Queen of Romance these days [laughs] because you've played so many love interests... but is there another genre you'd wish to try, or will you stick with romance?

Sena: [laughs] Queen of Romance is funny... um, but I enjoy romance so I think I'll stick with it. But I will say, I have thought about trying out a musical. It has singing and dancing, and I'm good at those... [laughs] so why not?

Q: Oh, that would be so great! Yeah, why not! Go for it. Okay. Back on topic here. We've talked about your acting and modeling, but how did you end up in the KPOP world? Was being an idol of interest to you alongside your acting and modeling goals?

Sena: I really didn't consider being an idol. Although I listened to a lot of KPOP music with my friends growing up, I never thought "Oh, I wanna do that". My focus was more on acting. But I kept getting calls from entertainment companies, and talent scouts would show up after school and try to talk me into auditioning. And so eventually, I did.

Q: So you auditioned for SM Entertainment, right? When was that? How was that process and what pushed you to audition?

Sena: So it was my junior year of high school. I started getting noticed here and there, in school and outside of school. My performing arts school would encourage students to go to auditions and they had a lot of cool opportunities like that... um, but my friends and I were gonna audition as a group for this one opportunity. So we auditioned - I was the main dancer while my friends sang - but we didn't pass. But one of the judges was a talent scout for SM, and afterward, she approached me and said I should audition solo for SM.

Q: Did you pass the audition?

Sena: I did... but I didn't choose them. Obviously. [laughs] Actually, that same week, my friends and I ended up auditioning for Pledis... but they didn't make it. Only I did.

Q: Wow, really? You auditioned for Pledis that same week?

Sena: Yes. It was crazy [laughs]. It was sad too because my friends didn't make it... it would've been fun to train together and be at the same company [pouts]. But they were really supportive and like "Sena, don't worry about us. Show them how talented you are!"

Q: Oh, how nice. Those are some nice friends. So how did you end up choosing Pledis?

Sena: I chose Pledis because I was a big fan of NU'EST. I really like their music and they were popular at the time, so it just made sense.

Q: What did your parents think about the whole thing?

Sena: They were supportive. They saw it as an opportunity for me to dance and act and model while being in a group. They were happy for me [smiles].

Q: What a story!! So now tell us about your trainee experience. How did you meet your members from your old group ROXI and get formed into a group?

Sena: When I entered the company, there were probably 10 female trainees and 15 male trainees. It wasn't a huge company, but it seemed like a lot of people because we easily filled our training room. All of the female members entered the company at the same time so it was kind of nice because we were all experiencing everything for the first time. I think we trained for a year and did cuts before the company decided on me, Seoyoon, Ruby, and Kyungsook to be a group.

Q: Back then, female and male trainees got the chance to train together at your company. And you actually got to train beside Seventeen before their debut. How was that experience?

Sena: I just remember all the trainees back then were very positive, and happy, but also very focused. I was 17 at the time, but some were as young as 12... and the oldest was probably S.Coups. He was 19. There were so many different types of personalities in one room, but somehow, we all got along very well.

Q: What kinds of training did you do together?

Sena: Mostly warm-up exercises and dancing. They actually had me and Hoshi lead some of the-- well, not lead but we'd stand in the front and have everyone follow our movements since we were, like, main dancers of the girls and boys.

Q: So cool! Were you or your group ROXI particularly close with any Seventeen members?

Sena: Well, me, Seoyoon, and Ruby were the same age, born in 1997, so we got along with the guys Mingyu, DK, and Minghao. I think we were all close in our own ways.

Q: It's okay, you can tell us if anyone was no fun to be around. We won't tell.

Sena: [laughs] No, everyone was nice. No one was horrible.

Q: Aw, you're being so sweet. I'm just kidding. I'm sure they were adorable beans. Anyway, you've shared publicly that of the Seventeen members, Mingyu is your best friend.

Sena: That's true. I think we've been the closest even since trainee days.

Q: And you two seemed to have a cute close relationship. There's plenty of pictures on social media of you two hanging out like siblings. Do you two have a lot in common?

Sena: Honestly, not really. He's way more outgoing than I am... as trainees, he kinda looked out for me like a brother since I was on the quieter side. As we grew up, I kind of realized although he's super tall and sort of like a manly man on the outside, he's actually gentle and caring. I think I felt comfortable around him since day one, so we can be honest and kind of tease each other now and it's okay.

Q: That sounds like a great relationship you have. Speaking of relationships, now you're in a new girl group called Z10N and you've got to know three new members. How was it meeting them and what is your relationship like?

Sena: Yeah. The new members are great. They're all so talented in different things, and again, we're all so different. But it's nice. I think us older ones are just trying to be as helpful as we could, giving them tips about moving in, and training, and helping them get used to the lifestyle.

Q: In ROXI you were the maknae, but now you've become one of the older members. How was that change for you?

Sena: It's not too bad. There's a joke among our fans that the group still treats me like the maknae while our maknae is like the wannabe mom [laughs]. So I guess there's really no change. I don't know.

Q: How funny. Okay. Last questions. How did you feel about re-debuting in a new girl group? Were you ever expecting ROXI to make a comeback after your leader Kyungsook left the group?

Sena: [glances towards her manager] Um... well, to answer your first question, I feel excited and extremely thankful that I get to re-debut in another group. All I want is to be on stage and entertain people, so I feel thankful that I get to do that with my old members and the new ones. [grins] To answer your second question, we could've made a comeback if we wanted to, but ultimately, it was up to our company. And I think they made a good decision at the time.

Q: Well said. Lastly, although you're just starting out, what kind of KPOP group do you want Z10N to be remembered for?

Sena: Mm... I want us to be a group that brings happiness and joy to people through our music. And I hope they can also support us as people as well as artists.