The Rise of Chiquita: BABYMONSTER's Youngest Star Shines Bright

At just 14 years old, Chiquita has already made history as the youngest member to debut in BABYMONSTER, YG Entertainment's newest girl group sensation. Her journey from Thailand to becoming a K-pop idol mirrors the path of her predecessor Lisa from BLACKPINK, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.

As we explore BABYMONSTER's rising star, we'll delve into Chiquita's remarkable journey from Nakhon Ratchasima to Seoul, her record-breaking achievements, and her growing influence as a cultural bridge between Thailand and South Korea.

From Thailand to K-pop Stardom

Born in the vibrant city of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, Chiquita's story begins in a family where artistic talent runs deep. Growing up with her parents and older brother Dechawat (known as Copper), she attended Plookpanya School while nurturing her dreams of becoming a performer.

When we look at Chiquita's musical influences, it's impossible to overlook the impact of her role model, BLACKPINK's Lisa. Her admiration runs so deep that she would tell her mother daily about her aspirations to follow in Lisa's footsteps. Like many aspiring Thai artists, she also drew inspiration from the local music scene, particularly showing interest in the Thai idol girl group BNK48.

Her path to YG Entertainment began with a remarkable audition in Thailand in March 2021. What makes her story particularly fascinating is how she caught the attention of YG's founder, Yang Hyun Suk. Despite being the youngest candidate, she impressed him so much that he chose her over trainees with significantly more experience. As Yang Hyun Suk himself noted, "My first impression of Chiquita was from that first monthly evaluation. I knew immediately I had to make her part of the project than trainees that trained for 5~6 years".

The journey wasn't always smooth sailing - when she first left Bangkok to train in Seoul in 2021, there were emotional moments that tested her resolve. However, her dedication during her three-year training period and natural talent helped her overcome these challenges. Today, she continues to develop her skills while balancing her education, speaking Thai, English, and Korean.

Breaking Records as BABYMONSTER's Maknae

Making history in the K-pop industry isn't easy, but BABYMONSTER's youngest member has already achieved something remarkable. With just three months of training, Chiquita set a new record for the shortest training period among all BABYMONSTER members. This achievement is particularly noteworthy in an industry where trainees typically spend years perfecting their skills.

The group's debut single "BATTER UP" showcased Chiquita's talents alongside her fellow members, achieving extraordinary success. The music video garnered an impressive 22.59 million views on its first day, surpassing previous records held by other K-pop groups. The single dominated iTunes charts in 20 countries, establishing BABYMONSTER as a force to be reckoned with in the global music scene.

As the maknae (youngest member) of BABYMONSTER, Chiquita holds several key positions within the group:

Her position as both lead vocalist and dancer demonstrates her versatility as a performer. Despite being the youngest, she's proven herself capable of handling multiple roles while maintaining the group's high performance standards. Her magenta-pink representative color and unique charm, particularly noted for her cat eyes, have helped her stand out among her fellow members.

Multifaceted Talent Showcase

When we look at BABYMONSTER's diverse talent pool, Chiquita stands out with her remarkable versatility. Her vocal abilities have caught the attention of industry experts, particularly her distinctive western vocal tone that adds a unique flavor to the group's sound. What's even more impressive is how she's developed these skills in such a short time, showing better vocal support quality compared to some of her peers.

In terms of performance style, Chiquita brings fresh energy to BABYMONSTER's choreographies. As part of a group known for their "high-level abilities in vocals, dance, and rap", she consistently delivers powerful performances that showcase her natural star quality.

One of her most notable strengths is her impressive linguistic abilities. Despite her young age, she's already proficient in:

"My Korean is still a little clumsy, but the older members are really taking care of me and helping me out," she shared in a recent interview. This multilingual capability has significantly contributed to BABYMONSTER's global appeal, allowing them to connect with fans across different regions.

As part of a group where "each member possesses different talents and charms", Chiquita's combination of vocal prowess, dance skills, and language abilities makes her an integral part of BABYMONSTER's success story. Her continuous growth and dedication to improving her craft demonstrate why she's earned her place among these talented performers.

Cultural Bridge Between Thailand and Korea

The influence of Thai artists in K-pop continues to grow stronger, and we're witnessing a beautiful cultural bridge being built between Thailand and South Korea through BABYMONSTER's newest stars. As one of two Thai members in the group, alongside Pharita, Chiquita represents a new generation of cross-cultural talent.

Following Lisa's footsteps

In the footsteps of her idol, BLACKPINK's Lisa, Chiquita has already begun making her mark. "Sister LISA, you're my idol and someone who inspires me. I tell my mom every day that I'm going to be like you one day," she shared during a touching moment. This admiration isn't one-sided – Lisa herself has taken on a mentoring role, praising Chiquita's natural abilities and providing guidance as someone who understands the unique challenges faced by foreign artists in Korea.

Representation in K-pop industry

As part of YG Entertainment's first girl group since BLACKPINK, Chiquita and Pharita are carrying forward an important legacy. The group's multinational composition, featuring members from three different countries, showcases K-pop's evolving global nature. During their performances, we've seen beautiful moments of cultural exchange, such as when:

Impact on Thai youth

The impact on Thai youth has been profound, especially when considering Chiquita's emotional moments performing in front of her family and Thai fans. Her success story, particularly as the youngest member with a remarkably short training period, has inspired countless young Thai artists dreaming of similar opportunities in the K-pop industry.