Hey angelsss,

The it-girl of K-pop’s 4th generation. The face of Innisfree, an ambassador for Miu Miu, the center of IVE, and a former member of IZ*ONE.

She’s only 20 years old, yet she has already achieved more than most people dream of in a lifetime.

To me, Wonyoung definitely is one of my biggest inspirations. One of my role models.

If you’re into K-pop, like I was when I first discovered her, you probably know her for her talent, her stage presence, and of course, her unreal visuals. She’s gorgeous, but there’s so much more to her than just beauty.
One of her most iconic quotes is:

I don’t care. You are you, and I am me.

What she means is that there’s no point in comparing. Everyone’s on their own journey.

the perfect idol?

Wonyoung always carries herself with such grace.
She stands tall, smiles through every interaction, and treats her fans with kindness no matter how busy or tired she is.
She’s been in the industry for years and yet has never had a single scandal, which says so much about her discipline and self-awareness.

mindset

What inspires me the most, though, is her mindset.
She’s the definition of working for the long-term goal, even when it’s uncomfortable in the moment.
I once saw a clip where she said she was a straight-A student in school.

Yes, studying sucks… but failing sucks more.

Wonyoung knows that winning is hard. But if success were easy, everyone would have it.
The more effort you put in, the more rewarding the outcome will be. Some people might look naturally talented or lucky, but the truth is that discipline will always beat talent.

Imagine two ballet dancers:
One is naturally flexible and seems born for the stage. The other struggles. Their body doesn’t bend as easily, their movements take longer to learn. But the turning point is: the “talented” dancer gets comfortable and stops pushing, while the second dancer works tirelessly, practices every single day, and slowly but surely surpasses the one who relied only on talent.

That’s Wonyoung. A mix of talent, but mostly relentless discipline and consistency.

confidence

And then there’s her magnetic confidence. She walks into a room and you feel her presence. Not full of herself, just steady, quiet confidence that makes her stand out.

haters

Of course, being that perfect comes with haters. And I think that says more about them than it does about her.
People often hate what they don’t understand. Or what they secretly wish they had.

wonyoungism: the idea and the toxic side

Wonyoung even inspired an entire aesthetic: Wonyoungism.
It’s all about becoming the best version of yourself. Doing pilates, eating clean, having a consistent skincare routine, and studying to be top of your class while not forgetting to socialize. It’s the idea of leveling up and treating yourself like the main character.

But like everything, there’s a toxic side to it. Eating healthy can spiral into eating disorders. Working out can turn into an unhealthy obsession. Skincare becomes a strict 20-step ritual. Studying turns into burnout and sleepless nights.

And yet, if you take away the toxicity, the heart of Wonyoungism is beautiful: self-discipline, growth, and self-love.

final thoughts

Wonyoung taught me that it’s okay to demand the best from yourself. That confidence isn’t about being the prettiest or the most talented. It’s about believing in your own worth and putting in the work every single day.

XOXO,
Leona 💋