The Rise of Ruka: BABYMONSTER's Star in the Making

From a young Japanese dancer to a rising K-pop star, Ruka's journey to becoming a key member of BABYMONSTER showcases the evolving landscape of modern K-pop. As one of the most prominent BABYMONSTER members, she brings a unique blend of skills that sets her apart in the industry.

BABYMONSTER, YG Entertainment's newest girl group, has captured global attention since their debut, with Ruka emerging as a standout performer. Her trilingual abilities, exceptional dance skills, and natural leadership qualities make her an essential part of the group's dynamic.

From Japanese Idol to K-pop Trainee

Ruka's journey in performing arts began at a remarkably young age, as she started dancing when she was just six years old. Her early dedication to dance would later become the foundation of her K-pop career, accumulating nearly a decade of experience before pursuing her dreams in South Korea.

In 2017, Ruka took her first step into the entertainment industry as a member of Blue Class, a sub-unit of the Japanese idol group Shibu3 Project. However, her passion for hip-hop dance wasn't fully satisfied with the group's bouncy style. After a year with Shibu3 Project, she made a bold decision to pursue a different path that aligned more closely with her artistic vision.

At the age of 16, Ruka auditioned for YG Entertainment in 2018, bringing with her an impressive decade of dance experience. Her exceptional skills caught the attention of YG's founder, Yang Hyun Suk, who was so impressed that he reportedly never had to critique her dancing. Dance instructor Lee Jung particularly noted her profound understanding of hip-hop, stating that "Ruka's level of dance understanding is on a different level compared to other trainees".

The transition wasn't without its challenges. As Ruka entered her trainee period, she faced the emotional struggle of watching her peers move forward with their lives while she remained focused on her dream. However, her mother's unwavering support helped her persist through the demanding training period, which would ultimately span approximately 5-6 years before her debut with BABYMONSTER.

Mastering Multiple Performance Styles

With a decade of dance experience under her belt, Ruka has emerged as BABYMONSTER's premier performer, bringing a unique blend of hip-hop expertise and versatile stage presence to the group. Her evolution as a dancer has been particularly noteworthy in the hip-hop genre, where she demonstrates exceptional body control and precise movements that set her apart from her peers.

As a rapper, Ruka has shown remarkable growth, focusing intensively on improving her pronunciation while maintaining her signature style. Her ability to seamlessly combine rap delivery with intricate dance movements showcases her dual expertise, making her performances particularly compelling.

What truly distinguishes Ruka's performances are her distinctive characteristics:

During evaluations, dance instructors have particularly noted her natural ability to interpret different musical styles while maintaining her signature power and fluidity. Her performances in "Batter Up" have especially highlighted her growth, with her rap sections and dance breaks receiving significant praise for their technical execution and stage presence.

Breaking Language Barriers

One of BABYMONSTER's most distinctive features is their multilingual approach to music, with Ruka playing a pivotal role in this aspect. As a trilingual artist fluent in Japanese, Korean, and English, she exemplifies the group's commitment to breaking down language barriers in K-pop.

Trilingual capabilities

Ruka's linguistic versatility shines through in BABYMONSTER's diverse discography. She has contributed significantly to the group's multilayered linguistic approach, particularly evident in tracks like "Woke Up in Tokyo," where she seamlessly incorporates Japanese lyrics. Her ability to rap and perform in multiple languages has become one of her signature strengths.

Cultural adaptation process

Since joining YG Entertainment in 2018, Ruka has demonstrated remarkable adaptability in mastering Korean pronunciation. Her dedication to language mastery extends beyond mere communication, as she has shown proficiency in writing lyrics in Korean, showcasing her deep understanding of the language's nuances.

International appeal

BABYMONSTER's global reach is evident through their prestigious partnerships:

The group's ability to blend genres and languages creates what industry observers call a "universal pop experience", with Ruka's multilingual capabilities playing a crucial role in this international appeal. Their music strategically incorporates multiple languages, from English rap cuts like "CLICK CLAK" to Korean-focused tracks like "DRIP", demonstrating their commitment to reaching a global audience.

Leadership Role in BABYMONSTER

Unlike traditional K-pop groups, BABYMONSTER takes a unique approach to leadership, operating without a designated leader. Instead, the group functions through a system of distributed responsibilities, where each member contributes their expertise to different aspects of the group's activities.

Mentoring younger members

As the oldest member, Ruka has naturally stepped into a mentorship role, particularly in dance practices where her expertise is most valuable. Her leadership in this area has earned recognition from prominent choreographer Lee Jung, who praised her exceptional understanding of dance and long-term experience.

Contributing to group dynamics

Ruka's contribution to BABYMONSTER's group dynamics is multifaceted:

Creative input in performances

Her creative influence extends beyond dance leadership. Ruka has shown significant involvement in the group's artistic direction, particularly evident in her co-writing contribution to "Woke Up In Tokyo". Her natural "hip-hop feel," as noted by YG producer BIGTONE, brings a distinctive edge to the group's performances.

The success of this leadership approach is reflected in the group's strong team dynamics, where age differences as significant as seven years become inconsequential to their overall teamwork. Through this collaborative system, BABYMONSTER has created a balanced environment where each member's strengths contribute to the group's collective success.

BABYMONSTER - Introducing RUKA