BÉBE YANA, whose real name is Yoon Hayana, is a successful South Korean singer, songwriter, and dancer.
Born on October 11, in Seoul, South Korea, but raised in Australia, BÉBE YANA, began her career as a trainee before joining the girl group EvoL under the label Stardom Entertainment. BÉBE YANA was the main vocalist, dancer and visual of the group, and was known for her ethereal voice and powerful stage presence.
EvoL debuted in 2012 with their EP Let Me Explode! and gained attention for their edgy concept and powerful performances.
Despite their initial success, EvoL disbanded in 2015. In 2021, BÉBE YANA made her comeback as a solo artist, releasing her debut single Wish under new label A MASS CULTURE. Since then, she’s gone on to release several other hit singles such as her latest 64.
I recently had the opportunity to interview BÉBE YANA to discuss her musical career, among other things.
How did you get started in the music industry, and what inspired you to pursue a career as a singer?
I started off as being a member of a girl group and everything naturally progressed after that.. Since I was a little girl, I always loved performing in front of people and there was this time I came to Korea for almost a month and was shook by the K-pop industry back then. That was probably the moment that triggered me to want to become a singer.
Your music is known for blending R&B with soul and electronica. How did you develop this unique sound?
It probably comes from the music that I love listening to. I normally listen to random genres and when I get obsessed with this specific sound, I have that urge to create something fun that I would like to listen to.
You released your EP “Space Mulan” last year. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the album and what it means to you?
The initial idea behind “Space Mulan” was to express and introduce my identity to the world. As I was working on the project, I realized the term “Space Mulan” wasn’t just about introducing myself; it was a full journey finding my true-self and freedom. As I finished making the album, I put it out hoping people who receive the message would go through their own journey as well.
You've collaborated with several other artists, including Shelhiel and Goldbuuda. Who else would you love to work with in the future?
My dream collab will be Lexie Liu, PinkPantheress, Arca, Dylan Brady, Shygirl, 070 Shake, Sevdaliza, Mura Masa, ROSALÍA!
As someone born in South Korea and raised in Australia, what is the one thing you love the most about both countries?
Seoul is a city where everything is very packed and nearby. I love that in this city everything is so convenient and well-developed. The biggest thing I miss about Australia would be the nature and chillness for sure.
Which performance, either as a soloist or a group member, has been your favorite thus far, and what made it so special?
It was a performance I did during the pandemic. I had a chance to perform in front of high schoolers to celebrate the end of 수능 (Korean HIghschool University Entrance Exam). Even though the majority of them didn’t know about me, they really enjoyed the performance. I also had so much fun interacting with them and got so much energy from them as well. They sent me so many messages after the show and that was one of the most memorable performances I’ve ever done.
Your music videos often feature futuristic and sultry themes. What goes into creating the visual aesthetic for your music?
When it comes to visual aesthetics, I love collaborating. Before the whole creative process, we all share our own ideas and it’s so much fun to see the result created from different perspectives.
What advice would you give to other young women who want to pursue a career in music or entertainment?
Never stop believing in yourself.
You chose to involve your fans in creating your stage name. What is your thought process behind including them in your journey as an artist?
I think the whole journey as an artist is something you create with your fans. I feel very blessed that there are so many ways I could interact with them and am looking forward to communicating with them more in the future.
What can fans expect from you in the future? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're particularly excited about?
I’m very excited to finally release my new single “64” and will be releasing more fun stuff in the future! I’m also looking forward to meeting my fans in person through performances
BÉBE’s new song 64 and the music video is now available for viewing and streaming on Spotify and YouTube.
Link to music video: 64 by BÉBE YANA
You can follow BÉBE on the following platforms: