Zena

ZENA — From Stars Awakening's Kim Ga-young to Gyeongju's Silla Princess

RESCENE's ZENA (real name Kim Ga-young, born November 27, 2008) is the youngest member (maknae) of the group. Before her debut, she appeared on Channel A's survival show Stars Awakening, and in 2026, she became widely known through local promotions linked to her hometown of Gyeongju as the "Silla Princess." Following her timeline—from Kim Ga-young on pre-debut television to ZENA on music broadcast stages and regional cultural content—reveals how her career has taken shape step by step.

Spotting ZENA in Official Agency Photos

THE MUZE's official RESCENE photo archive features both individual cuts labeled with the name ZENA and group shots of all five members. Pairing her stage name with these official photos makes it easy to spot her in group video content. After identifying ZENA and the other members here, you can explore each member in detail via the RESCENE group profile.

Profile and Stage Name

Her name and birth date were cross-checked against profile databases. Her Gyeongju roots and the affectionate nickname "Silla Princess" are also documented in Gyeongju City's official appointment announcement. Both ZENA and May were born in 2008, with ZENA being the youngest since her birthday falls later in the year.

Japanese Profile and Activities in Japan

The ABEMA TIMES member profile lists her as ゼナ (ZENA), introducing her as a vocalist born on November 27, 2008. Some outlets, such as the Star News Japan edition, spell it as ジェナ, so searching for both ゼナ and ジェナ alongside the English ZENA ensures you won't miss any press coverage. The group name in Japanese is リセンヌ, and her hometown Gyeongju is written as 慶州.

RESCENE held their first official event in Japan on December 7, 2024, at RED° TOKYO TOWER in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Around the same time, an interview with Real Sound revealed that ZENA was active as a dancer at a renowned dance studio prior to her debut. In the continuation of the interview, ZENA shared her dream of becoming a global artist like BLACKPINK. Her pre-debut journey on Stars Awakening, her dance studio background, and her role as RESCENE's youngest member tie together seamlessly in this interview.

Following "YoYo" and "UhUh", RESCENE released the Japanese version of "Pinball"—the double title track from their first mini-album SCENEDROME—as their third Japanese digital single on January 21, 2026. According to coverage by Sports Kyunghyang, listening to the original Korean track and the Japanese version side by side highlights how pronunciation and breath control adapt to the exact same melody.

Finding Her as "Kim Ga-young" on Stars Awakening

When searching for 2022 records from Stars Awakening, you will find far more accurate results using Kim Ga-young rather than her stage name, ZENA. The video description provided by Channel A specifically credits Kim Ga-young in performances of IVE's "ELEVEN" and Red Velvet's "Red Flavor". Channel A Stars Awakening Stage Compilation

While other contestants' names lead the video titles in this compilation, Kim Ga-young is clearly listed in the performer credits in the description. Just because a member’s name isn’t at the very front of the title doesn't mean footage doesn't exist. Checking the song titles, contestant rosters, and broadcast dates noted in video descriptions is key to tracking down pre-debut team stages.

It is also important to distinguish audition stages from RESCENE's debut discography. "ELEVEN" and "Red Flavor" were competition covers of other artists' songs, whereas ZENA's official debut record with RESCENE is Re:Scene. Even when older cover videos resurface online, their original filming dates remain in the past. Keeping track of original broadcast versus re-upload dates helps map out ZENA's career in true chronological order.

The Story Behind the Nickname "Silla Princess"

Gyeongju City announced on June 29 that it had appointed RESCENE as tourism ambassadors on June 26, 2026. Highlighting their connection with Gyeongju-native ZENA, the city also noted her fan nickname, "Silla Princess." It is worth noting that the official title is Tourism Ambassador and that it represents an appointment for all five members of the group.

The nickname represents the intersection between her hometown's historical identity and fan culture. Rather than implying actual royal lineage, it should be understood as an affectionate moniker for ZENA. Because municipal promotions embraced this backstory, it serves as a great example of a fan nickname expanding into official city tourism content.

If learning about ZENA sparks your curiosity about her hometown, check out the Gyeongju Travel Guide. While keeping the idol's performances separate from actual travel sites, it is fascinating to see how the city's rich historical background inspires costumes and scenes in her promotional footage.

Official Filming at Rawon on August 2

On August 3, Gyeongju City announced that it had filmed digital promotional content with RESCENE at Rawon on August 2, 2026. Dressed in traditional attire, the members reenacted a royal procession alongside the Silla Military Wind Band (Silla Gochwidae), and ZENA was presented with an Honorary Silla Princess certificate. Gyeongju City Official Activity Record for August

The June ambassador appointment and the August filming represent two distinct milestones. The appointment laid out future plans, while the later release documented what was actually filmed. Viewing them in sequence shows how the role evolved from a ceremonial title into tangible public campaigns. Since the city announced plans to release the footage across its official social media channels, related clips can be found on Gyeongju City's official accounts.

October 2026: 4th Mini Album PULSE and Recent Schedules

RESCENE is set to release their fourth mini-album, PULSE, on November 3 at 6:00 PM. The tracklist revealed on October 23 features five songs: title track With, followed by "Finest Thing," "Inside Out" (백화요란), "MEME," and "Dragon." Reported by Star News. For ZENA, this marks her fourth mini-album promotion as the group's youngest member; individual line distributions will be revealed once the tracks drop.

Earlier on October 11, all five members, including ZENA, appeared on SBS 8 News to discuss their post-debut journey, their feelings about their music climbing back up the charts, and their preparations for the upcoming album. Reported by Sports Kyunghyang. On October 23, Samsung Electronics posted a black-and-white silhouette teaser on its official Instagram and X accounts showing five figures resembling RESCENE holding the Galaxy Z Fold8, hinting at an upcoming collaboration. Specific details of the partnership have not yet been disclosed. Reported by iNews24.

Roughly a month after their comeback, on November 27, ZENA will celebrate her birthday, turning 18 years old in 2026.

What to Watch: ZENA's Solo Fancams

If you started by watching ZENA's past audition stages, returning to these two fancams offers a stark contrast. Unlike competition videos where you had to search for one face among many contestants, solo fancams track ZENA exclusively throughout the entire performance. They let you observe how she supports other members even after her vocal lines finish, as well as her transition paths when stage formations shift.

For viewers looking to learn the choreography, it is best to watch full group stage cams alongside solo fancams rather than memorizing positions from individual fancams alone. Because solo cams keep the performer centered in the frame, it is difficult to tell whether she was actually at center stage in the broader formation. Choose solo fancams for facial expressions and nuanced gestures, and full group cams for overall stage geometry.

Contrasts Alongside May and Woni

May and ZENA were both born in the same year. Reading May's profile—with her Goyang roots and running pledges—alongside ZENA's Gyeongju upbringing and Stars Awakening journey offers clear distinctions beyond their shared birth year. Comparing ZENA with Woni provides insight into the dynamic between leader and youngest member, as well as their contrasting hometown backgrounds of Geoje and Gyeongju.

If you discovered ZENA through variety clips, we recommend watching the full episode before moving on to her solo fancams. Regional dialects and nicknames make great entry points, but they don't define the entirety of an idol. Recognizing her face from conversational content makes it much easier to track her vocal parts and choreography on stage. Even when tone or expressions seem different from video to video, it is better to consider the context of each broadcast rather than generalizing a single moment into a fixed personality trait.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ZENA's real name? It is Kim Ga-young.

Did she appear on Stars Awakening? Yes, she performed under her real name Kim Ga-young on the 2022 survival show.

What does "Silla Princess" mean? It is an affectionate nickname tied to her hometown of Gyeongju, which has also been featured in the city's tourism promotional campaigns.

Is ZENA the only Gyeongju ambassador? The entire group RESCENE was appointed as ambassadors through ZENA's hometown connection.

Who is younger, May or ZENA? Both were born in 2008, but ZENA is younger because her birthday falls later in the year.

For the group's discography and awards, visit RESCENE. To learn more about the other members, check out the profiles for Liv and Minami. Catch their latest performances and behind-the-scenes content on their Official YouTube.

Last verified: 2026-09-15.