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| 15-Year-Old Kansai Girl Takes on the K-Pop Dream: Rino’s Grit, Sacrifice, and Hope to Follow in Her Brother’s Footsteps |
At just 15, Rino from Kansai has already made up her mind — she’s not just chasing fame; she’s chasing purpose.
Inspired by her older brother Keita, a member of the Korean boy group EVNNE, she’s spent the past two years grinding through intense dance lessons and Korean language study, all for one goal: to debut as a K-pop idol in South Korea.
Her days are far from the glitz fans see on stage.
Every morning starts with school, followed by an hour and a half of dance practice, where she repeats moves until her reflection in the mirror finally matches the rhythm in her head.
At home, she swaps games and social media for Korean grammar drills — a challenge she admits is “tough, but exciting.”
Rino’s dad has become her biggest supporter and coach rolled into one, even transforming a room at home into a mirrored studio.
He helps monitor her routine and gently reminds her about diet control — something Rino has taken seriously since being told by a Korean agency representative to lose a few kilos before debut consideration.
“That moment hit hard,” she said honestly.
“But I didn’t want to give up. I started walking two hours every day and eating smaller portions. I love food, so it’s rough — but I’m trying my best.”
Despite the harsh demands, Rino’s determination hasn’t wavered.
Her brother’s success fuels her every move.
“I saw him on stage with everyone cheering for him. I want to feel that too,” she shared, eyes gleaming with quiet confidence.
Her family, though worried, stands behind her completely.
“It’s painful watching her push herself like this,” her father admitted, “but she’s serious about it, and we’ll support her all the way.”
When her big audition finally came, Rino was one of around 30 hopefuls.
After some last-minute advice from her sister — a professional dancer — she swapped her intense song choice for a cheerful one to show a brighter, more playful side.
The risk paid off. One of the judges even filmed her performance — a subtle but meaningful sign of interest.
The feedback was constructive but kind: relax more, be natural, let the idol energy flow.
“I think I tried too hard to be perfect,” Rino reflected later. “Next time, I’ll show them the real me.”
Weeks later, the results arrived — and she’d passed the first round.
Now, she’s back to her daily grind, balancing schoolwork with even tougher dance and vocal sessions while awaiting the second-stage call.
Her dream? Simple but powerful.
“I want to stand on stage overseas one day,” she said with a shy grin.
“And I want my parents sitting in the front row.”
Source: KTVNews