Ahead of her retirement as an idol in April, former IZ*ONE and HKT48 Nako revealed her plan to debut in South Korea as an actress. Which K-dramas had left a deep impression on her?

Yabuki Nako Recalls Experience in IZ*ONE & How It Helps Her in HKT48, 'The Idol Band'

On March 7, Yabuki Nako, an HKT48 member who rose into the K-pop scene as IZ*ONE revealed her plan after retirement as an idol.

In particular, the Japanese and former K-pop idol sat down for an interview with the Korean media outlet Yonhap News Agency following the wrapping up of SBS M's Japan-Korea joint audition program, "The Idol Band: Boy's Battle." The audition was organized by FNC Entertainment in search of a new idol band whose members possess both looks and musical capabilities.

From December 2022 to March 5, the female star worked as the MC of the show alongside SF9 Rowoon.

Nako said:

"This audition program recording was held in Korea, so I was very happy to meet my Korean fans after a long time."

Yabuki Nako debuted as a Japanese idol under the team HKT48 in 2013. Through Mnet's Korea-Japan joint audition program, "Produce 48," Nako was selected to join IZ*ONE and made her idol debut in Korea in 2018. Despite their popularity, the team disbanded in 2021, leading her return to Japan as the central member of HKT48.

In February then, Nako announced her graduation from the J-pop team after 10 years and chose to retire as an idol to prepare for her transition as an actress.

Despite this, Nako recalled the significance of her two-and-a-half years of Korean activities, saying:

"Life in a new environment has been a great stimulus. I learned the importance of cooperating with the members while living in the dorm.

Korean conversation has also become possible. Thanks to my experience in Korea, I was able to be in charge of hosting 'The Idol Band: Boy's Battle.' In particular, the experience of performing on many music shows and concert stages in Korea, led me to what I am now."

In fact, the Korean training system was also adopted by Nako even when she came back to Japan as HKT48. She confessed that she still has the habit of filming herself while practicing, checking it frame by frame to improve and match the choreography.

Regarding her experience as an MC for the audition program, Nako stated:

"It was a valuable time to experience something that I had never done before. At first, I was nervous and unfamiliar, but SF9 Rowoon who worked with me said it was also his first time hosting a program, that's why I feel like we were able to help each other throughout the show."

Ex-IZ*ONE Nako Shares Possible Acting Debut in Korea After HKT48 Graduation + Favorite K-Dramas

After announcing graduation as an idol, Yabuki Nako initially revealed that she was preparing to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming an actress.

Nako Yabuki explained:

"After returning to Japan, I made my first regular appearance in a drama through a work called 'Kao Dake Sensei', and this grow my desire to challenge various roles and activities.

I was really looking for the right time of graduation and I deeply thought of any missed opportunity or if there is anything that I haven't done yet as an idol as well as anything that I really want to do in the future.

After a discussion with the staff and members about when fans can understand and accept my decision, we agreed to graduate in 2023.

Yabuki Nako, however, consoled Korean fans of seeing them once again as she has set in her mind that she wants to debut as a K-Drama actress as well. She conveyed:

"I want to try to play a role that can break my image (as an idol) so far. When I heard about filming a drama from SF9 Rowoon, who worked as an MC with me, I thought I wanted to try working for K-drama someday."

Among the Korean dramas that impressed Nako, were "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" and "Business Proposal."

Nako explained that "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" is impressive and the ending of the story is pretty, especially its message that it's okay to be different from others.

The "Fiesta" singer also loved Kim Sejeong's "Business Proposal" because aside from being a fan of the idol-turned-actress, Nako also fell in love with its OST. Just like its fans, Nako added:

"I really want to see a sequel."

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Written by Eunice Dawson.