fall

izna MAGAZINE : KOKO 📸🍀 "Koko's bright and lovely energy, met at the start of winter" Q1. It's already your third birthday with naya. Compared to the first birthday you had around debut, what feels most different now? Koko: Around debut, it just felt amazing that so many people were celebrating my birthday at all. Now it's become such an exciting day that I actually look forward to my birthday. I'm already so grateful to get birthday wishes at fansigns and in letters, and even more thankful for all kinds of events that have been prepared for me. Every bit of love naya sends me is really precious to me Q2. Offstage you seem like a sweet, lovely girl, but the moment you're on stage you're a Koko that gives a more intense performance than anyone! Do you have a special routine of your own before going on stage? Koko: I usually stretch right up until just before I go on. If I do it for too long I actually lose focus, so I warm up short and quick and make sure to warm up my voice properly too. Then last of all I do vocal exercises, and that's how I get ready for the stage Q3. You've been dancing for a long time, but even now you look happier than anyone when you dance. What does dance mean to you Koko? Koko: Without dance, I don't think I'd be Koko. I've been dancing nonstop since I was three, so it's hard to imagine a day without it. I don't think I've ever pictured myself not dancing Q4. Your range of expressions stands out not just on stage but in ads and photoshoots too. Do you have your own way of practising expressions? Koko: I don't practise expressions specifically, but when I listen to a song I imagine a lot about what mood and emotions it's carrying. My expressions come out more naturally especially when I'm feeling confident, or when the stage is fun and exciting Q5. You've been running without a break since coming to Korea and debuting as izna, so your Japan debut must have been even more special. How did it feel standing on stage at the Japan debut showcase? Koko: Friends I used to train with came to the Japan debut showcase. It felt so unreal seeing friends I trained with 3 years ago again, and getting to meet them again as someone who's debuted was really emotional. I was also so happy I could show my family me debuting in Japan. I didn't know I'd debut in Japan this soon, and because it was such a special moment for me, I remember preparing really hard for it Q6. You seem to keep a really regular routine. If you have a little escape of your own in that routine, what is it? Koko: Normally I keep a regular routine. I eat breakfast, work out, make sure I eat lunch, and go for a walk. Sometimes, for a change of mood, going to a cafe alone is my own little escape and hobby. At the cafe I listen to music or watch dramas and movies, and when I'm out walking I like observing the people around me too. Having time to myself is really healing for me Q7. Koko, who always lights up everyone around her with her endless energy! What's the source of energy that keeps you lively and not worn out, even with a busy schedule? Koko: My biggest source of energy is my mom. With my mom I can be comfortable showing the honest side of me that even naya and the members don't really know, and sometimes even my childish side. Even when I talk to her about hard things or worries, she always helps me look at them in a positive way. Thanks to her, I'm able to find my happy heart again Q8. Your Korean has improved so much! How good do you think your Korean is right now? And on the other hand, are there any Korean expressions that are still hard or confusing? Koko: I think my Korean is about a 65 out of 100! I think I can do more than half now, but there are still a lot of words that are hard to pronounce. The word '봉투 (Bong-tu)' (Plastic Bag) is especially hard. Every time I ask for a bag at the convenience store, I can't say it properly and it's a struggle. Maybe it's because the word has a batchim (final consonant), but it's still a bit hard for me Q9. Is there any food you love for staying healthy through the cold winter, or a healthy dish you'd recommend to naya? Koko: I want to recommend vegetable nabe! I like it with meat and lots of different vegetables in it. When I make nabe I always put in napa cabbage and bean sprouts. You get to eat lots of vegetables with a warm broth, so I really recommend it as a healthy winter food! Q10. 2026 is almost over already. You've worked harder than anyone this year, so how do you think you'll remember 2026? And lastly, please leave a warm message for the nayas who ran alongside you! Koko: First, I want to tell myself you worked really hard this year too. A lot happened, but I'm so glad I got to spend the year happily. I want to tell myself let's run even harder next year too! And nayas, who loved and supported me just the same this year, thank you so much. Let's spend my birthday together next year too! I love you ♥ #izna #이즈나 @izna_offcl