Dayoung

Dayoung, born Im Da-young on May 14, 1999, in Jeju Province, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is best known as a member of the girl group WJSN and its subunit WJSN Chocome. Dayoung made her solo debut in 2025 with the digital single album Gonna Love Me, Right?, featuring the lead track "Body."

Her bright vocals and energetic stage presence have made her a standout performer in K-pop. With over 1.5 million Instagram followers, she connects with fans through cheerful live streams and variety content. Dayoung is currently studying Film Arts at Sejong University, balancing her education with an active music career.[edit]

Dayoung grew up on Jeju Island, where she discovered her love for singing through school festivals and talent shows. Her big break came when she successfully auditioned for Starship Entertainment. At a young age, she moved to Seoul alone to train as an idol, a period she has described as challenging but formative. She trained alongside future WJSN members for several years, honing her vocals and stage skills before the group's debut.[edit]

Dayoung debuted as a member of WJSN on February 25, 2016, with the EP Would You Like? She quickly established herself as a lead vocalist, contributing to hits like "Secret" and "Save Me, Save You." In 2020, she joined the subunit WJSN Chocome, which debuted with the single "Hmph!" known for its retro charm.

Beyond group work, Dayoung acted in the 2017 drama The Best Hit and the 2019 film The Battle of Jangsari. She appeared on King of Mask Singer in 2020 as "Pikachu" and was a fixed cast member on the variety show Idol Dictation Contest in 2021. Her solo debut arrived on March 4, 2025, with the single album Gonna Love Me, Right? and the title track "Body," marking a new chapter in her career.[edit]

Dayoung is known as the "mood maker" of WJSN, with a bright, cheerful personality that fans love. Her signature style is cute and colorful, perfectly matching the WJSN Chocome concept. She engages with fans through casual, emoticon-filled social media posts and is famous for her energetic fan service. The official fandom name for WJSN, UJUNG, also applies to her individual activities.[edit]

Dayoung has cultivated a devoted following that transcends her group identity, evolving from the energetic maknae of WJSN into a solo force with a distinct personal brand. Her Instagram handle @dayoungism serves as the central hub for this community, where nearly 860,000 followers engage with her candid updates and cheerful interactions. While the group's fanbase remains known by its collective moniker, Dayoung's individual supporters have rallied around her unique narrative of resilience and growth, particularly following her transition to a more mature "Summer Queen" image. This shift was solidified during her appearance on Omniscient Interfering View, where fans witnessed her determination to protect her family against significant financial hardship, deepening their emotional investment in her journey. In August 2026, iFANN evaluated Dayoung's global standing using its comprehensive Fame Engine. The evaluation determined that she is currently an EVALUATED_UNRANKED subject within the published lists. She does not hold a placement in the Global Top 1,000 or any specific Top-100 scope list at this time. Despite this lack of a numeric ranking, her career trajectory speaks to immense influence; her September 2025 solo debut achieved a perfect run to the top of music programs, proving her fanbase possesses the organizational power to drive chart success immediately upon release. Her ability to command large crowds at festivals like Waterbomb Seoul further underscores her status as a rising star whose popularity is measured by genuine engagement rather than just algorithmic metrics. The absence of a formal number in the rankings reflects the dynamic nature of her current rise, yet her cultural footprint remains undeniable among those who follow her decade-long path from K-Pop Star contestant to independent artist.[edit]

Before her debut, her stage name was nearly 'Dami' before a last-minute change. A devoted Pokémon fan, she counts Pikachu as her favorite creature. Her deep, unique laugh and playful aegyo earned her the enduring nickname 'The Vitamin of WJSN.' She cites IU as her primary role model and is famous for making cute expressions during fan interactions. Fans still retell the story of her solo debut breakthrough in September 2025, when 'Gonna Love Me, Right?' secured her first music show win after nearly a decade in the industry, marking a legendary underdog moment. Another iconic chapter involves the viral success of 'Body,' which redefined her image and led to an April 2026 comeback announcement. Fans often recount how she credited her natural tan for this solo image shift, turning a physical detail into part of her lore. Most emotionally resonant is her family debt revelation in May 2026, when she disclosed on 'Omniscient Interfering View' that her family faced 1.3 billion won in debt after her parents' divorce. Stating, 'I thought I had to protect my mom,' she reframed her career as driven by personal responsibility, a story that continues to deepen fan loyalty.[edit]

Dayoung was born to her parents and has an older sister named Im Da-jeong. She is close with her family, often mentioning them in interviews. As of 2026, she lives independently in Seoul while continuing her studies at Sejong University.[edit]

Dayoung is associated with fellow WJSN members Exy, Seola, Bona, Soobin, Luda, Dawon, Eunseo, Yeoreum, and Yeonjung, as well as her WJSN Chocome teammates Soobin, Luda, and Yeoreum. She is under Starship Entertainment.[edit]

As of 2026, Dayoung has no publicly confirmed romantic relationships. She has not been linked to any dating partners or involved in any dating scandals. Her current status is single.[edit]

iFANN's editorial research currently estimates Dayoung's net worth at $1.2 million. This figure reflects her primary income streams, including her share of WJSN's music sales, concert tours, and her solo debut revenue. She also earns from acting roles, variety show appearances, and individual endorsements. While exact financial details for K-pop idols are rarely public, her growing solo activities and continued group promotions contribute to her financial standing.[edit]

Dayoung has not won any individual awards from major ceremonies. All awards she has been part of are group awards won with WJSN.[edit]