Who Is Yabuki Nako? The Untold Story of IZ*ONE's Rising Star

Yabuki Nako started her entertainment journey at just 4 years old, marking the beginning of a remarkable career that would span multiple countries and genres. Her debut as young Minami Asakura in the 2005 film "Touch" set the stage for what would become an impressive trajectory in both Japanese and Korean entertainment industries.

After joining HKT48 in 2013, she notably secured 6th place in the competitive reality show PRODUCE 48, leading to her debut with IZ*ONE in 2018. The 150cm-tall performer has consistently proven her versatility, earning recognition for her exceptional vocal abilities and securing a spot in AKB48's prestigious World Senbatsu. Now at 23, she has embarked on a new chapter, signing with Twin Planet Entertainment in 2023 to focus on her acting career.

Yabuki Nako's Journey from Child Star to K-pop Idol

Long before stepping into the K-pop spotlight, Yabuki Nako made her mark in Japanese entertainment. At age four, she landed her first significant role as young Asakura Masami in the live-action adaptation of "Touch". Subsequently, she appeared in numerous commercials and television productions, including roles in "Detective Samonji Susumu" and "My Father's Longest Day".

In November 2013, Nako's path took a significant turn when she successfully passed the HKT48 third-generation auditions. Within her first month, she achieved the prestigious center position for "Wink wa Sankai". Her rapid rise continued as she became the second-youngest member to secure a Concurrent Position at just 13 years and 9 months.

The year 2018 marked a pivotal moment when Nako participated in PRODUCE 48. Initially placed in Rank F during her first evaluation, she made history by advancing to Rank A during re-evaluation. Throughout the competition, she faced significant challenges, particularly with the language barrier. During dance lessons, basic Korean instructions for movements proved challenging, and variety show appearances required careful observation of atmosphere cues. Despite these obstacles, Nako's determination paid off as she secured sixth place with 261,788 votes, earning her position in IZ*ONE.

Rising to Stardom with IZ*ONE

Following her success on PRODUCE 48, Yabuki Nako made her official debut with IZONE through their mini-album COLORIZ and title track "La Vie En Rose" on October 29, 2018. Her unique vocal abilities quickly garnered attention, furthermore establishing her as a standout performer within the group.

In terms of musical contributions, Nako demonstrated remarkable growth in her artistry. She adapted the Japanese version of "Violeta" for IZ*ONE's first Japanese regular album. Her vocal prowess became increasingly evident as she mastered high-pitched parts, consequently earning more prominent roles in the group's performances.

As a result of her dedication, Nako's dance abilities evolved significantly. Her performance in "FIESTA" showcased this growth as she secured a position in the dance break segment. Additionally, her graceful movements in "La Vie En Rose" earned praise for their precision and elegance.

The global fanbase embraced Nako's journey, though this path wasn't without challenges. In late 2018, concerns arose regarding her concurrent activities with HKT48. Off The Record Entertainment addressed these concerns by clarifying that her participation in HKT48's anniversary concert was a special appearance rather than overlapping promotions.

Her stage presence continued to evolve through IZ*ONE's various releases. In their "One-reeler / Act IV" album's B-side track "Slow Journey," Nako received the largest distribution of parts, showcasing her improved vocal capabilities. Her stable live performances while dancing demonstrated her growth as a well-rounded performer.

Behind the Scenes of Nako's Success

The rigorous preparation behind Yabuki Nako's success reveals a story of determination and resilience. Her journey through IZ*ONE demanded intense vocal training, where she developed a distinctive clear and cute tone. Moreover, her ability to perform high notes stably became one of her strongest assets, primarily showcased in performances like "Into the New World".

The language barrier posed significant challenges in her early days. Upon arriving in Korea, Nako faced the daunting task of adapting to a new environment without knowing the language. Even basic dance instructions proved challenging, as she struggled with terms like "align your footsteps" or "heels". Nevertheless, her dedication to learning Korean yielded remarkable results. By 2020, she achieved near-native fluency, speaking with a natural Korean high school student accent.

Her support system played a crucial role in building confidence. The Korean members of IZ*ONE offered unwavering encouragement, especially regarding her height concerns. "You're so cute, even when you're just breathing," they would tell her, "I'm grateful to have you here". Similarly, former SISTAR member Bora served as a mentor, addressing Nako's self-image concerns during her appearance as a 'healing mentor'.

The cultural adaptation process fostered unique bonds within IZ*ONE. Korean members learned Japanese while Japanese members studied Korean, creating a blend of cultural gestures and words. Ultimately, this mutual exchange strengthened their connection, enabling Nako to express herself more freely and contribute effectively to the group's success.

The Evolution of Nako's Artistry

Throughout her artistic journey, Yabuki Nako's unique vocal abilities have undergone remarkable refinement. Her clear, bell-like tone sets her apart, albeit her initial performances showed signs of slight nasality. Through dedicated practice, she developed exceptional breath control and mastered stable high notes, certainly evident in her powerful rendition of "Into the New World".

Her stage presence evolved from her ballet-influenced foundation. Indeed, her smooth dance lines reflect a natural grace, generally attributed to her early ballet training. Her determination to overcome height-related challenges led to the development of a distinctive performance style, accordingly adjusting her movements to create powerful impact.

Musical contributions expanded beyond vocal performances. In IZ*ONE's Japanese releases, Nako participated in lyric writing, including adaptations for "Secret Story of the Swan" and "Violeta". Her involvement in songwriting showcased her growing artistic maturity and understanding of both Korean and Japanese musical sensibilities.

Performance highlights that showcase her artistic growth include:

Securing a position in the dance break segment of "FIESTA"
Leading vocal parts in "AYAYAYA" with challenging high notes
Center position performances in "SPACESHIP" with killing parts

Her artistic evolution culminated in increased vocal responsibilities, ultimately pairing with main vocalists like Eunbi and Yena in "Oneiric Diary". This progression demonstrates her development from a promising talent to a well-rounded performer capable of handling complex vocal arrangements and choreography with confidence.

FAQS

Here are some frequently asked questions about Yabuki Nako:

Q: How did Nako handle being the shortest member in IZ*ONE? A: Although being considered the shortest female K-pop idol during her IZ*ONE tenure, Nako initially worried about affecting the group's image while dancing. Ultimately, with support from her fellow members, she turned this unique characteristic into a strength.

Q: Who is Nako's favorite K-pop idol? A: Nako is an ardent TWICE fan, specifically admiring Jihyo as her favorite member. Her dedication as a TWICE fan (ONCE) manifested in various ways, from displaying TWICE merchandise during 'Produce 48' to attending their fan sign events.

Q: Has Nako maintained connections with TWICE? A: Beyond being a fan, Nako developed a friendship with TWICE members. In March 2021, she shared selfies with Jihyo on IZ*ONE's Instagram account. Even TWICE's Jihyo acknowledged Nako's support during a 2018 V Live broadcast.

Q: What unique fan interactions has Nako had? A: At the 2019 Idol Star Athletics Championships, Nako was spotted saluting Chaeyoung, Dahyun, and Tzuyu when they appeared on the jumbo-screen. She also attended a public TWICE fan sign event at Starfield Coex Mall, where fans recognized her distinctive stature despite wearing a mask.