"Is this really Dayoung?" even Shin Dong-yeob was surprised by the twist… WJSN's Dayoung makes a bold presence from MMA to the year-end gayo festival
WJSN (WJSN) alum Dayoung is heating up the year-end music scene by showing dramatic transformations on successive stages. Once known for her friendly image as the "idol who resembles Shin Dong-yeob," she now draws reactions that she has completely transformed into a daring solo artist no one expected.
On the 20th, Dayoung made a surprise appearance on Park Jae-beom's stage at the 2025 Melon Music Awards (MMA 2025) held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, drawing attention. Appearing on Park Jae-beom's "Keep It Sexy (MOMMAE 2)" stage, she radiated intense energy with a black-toned, hip styling and elevated the festive atmosphere with chemistry never seen before. Her captivating vocals, free performances and powerful live singing led to praise calling her the scene stealer of MMA 2025.
On the 22nd, Dayoung posted behind-the-scenes photos and videos of the 2025 KBS Gayo Daechukje global festival on her social media. In the released shots, she created an atmosphere completely different from her pure and bubbly image from her WJSN days with daring outfits emphasizing a glamorous silhouette and confident poses. Fans reacted with comments such as "She looks like a completely different person" and "Is this really Dayoung?"
In September last year, Dayoung released her first solo single, "Gonna Love Me, Right?", and began full-scale solo activities with the title track "BODY." For her solo debut she lost as much as 12kg, transforming into a striking figure with a bold concept and attracting attention with a mature and daring charm she had not shown before.
The process was by no means easy. On a variety show, Jun Hyun-moo and Kim Sook congratulated her, saying, "WJSN's gemlike maknae succeeded in her solo transformation. She even achieved a music show No. 1 with her first solo title track 'BODY,'" and revealed behind-the-scenes that Dayoung prepared the music video in the United States herself. Dayoung said, "I'm type J, so I have to prepare about 60% to feel at ease. I secretly prepared, went to the U.S. to make music, and when I played it for the CEO, he said, 'This is it.'"
Jun Hyun-moo marveled, "She personally contacted the music video director and producer and completed everything herself," and Park Myung Soo also praised her, saying, "Thirsty people dig wells; she did it herself. She's my junior, but I respect her."
What draws the most attention is the change in image. Dayoung, who once made people laugh on variety shows by being called the "idol who resembles Shin Dong-yeob," is now performing on stage as a hip and sexy solo artist. Fans expressed surprise, saying, "If Shin Dong-yeob saw her old self, he'd be shocked," "It's like she swapped to her life's character," and "The twist is on another level."
From a surprise appearance at MMA to a shocking stage at the gayo festival and solo activities, Dayoung is solidifying the identity of "solo artist Dayoung" rather than "WJSN's Dayoung" through her year-end stages. From the friendly maknae to a daring solo act. Reactions saying "even Shin Dong-yeob would be surprised by the twist" continue to appear, and the drastically changed Dayoung is proving those remarks are not unfounded.
[Photo] 'SNS'
[OSEN]