Biography
- Full Name: Kawai Ruka (かわいるか / 카와이 루카)
- Stage Name: Ruka (ルカ / 루카)
- Date of Birth: March 20, 2002
- Nationality: Japanese
- Current Base: South Korea
- Profession: Singer, Idol
- Group: BABYMONSTER
- Agency: YG Entertainment
- YouTube Channel: BABYMONSTER
Early Journey and Training
Ruka Kawai, born in 2002, hails from Japan and joined YG Entertainment in 2018. She has poured years of hard work and dedication into her dream of becoming an idol, attracting fans with her powerful rap style and endearing personality. Prior to her K-pop debut with BABYMONSTER, Ruka was a member of the Japanese group Shibu3 Project, where she gained invaluable performance experience and refined her skills.
With nearly 10 years of dance training, Ruka’s fluid movements have earned high praise. Yang Hyun Suk, YG’s founder, commended her graceful performance, while dance instructor Lee Jung highlighted her vast experience as her strongest asset. According to Lee Jung, “Ruka’s level of dance understanding is on a different level compared to other trainees. She possesses a depth in hip-hop that is rare at her age.”
Ruka’s rap skills are equally impressive. Big Tone, a producer and rap coach, praised her natural hip-hop vibe, noting how effortlessly she embodies the style even in casual gestures. In her introductory video, Ruka showcased her exceptional rapping ability, delivering lines with finesse and demonstrating fluent English, earning comparisons to BLACKPINK’s Jennie for her top-tier rap skills.
Debut
On February 5th, YG introduced Ruka as the final member of BABYMONSTER, revealing her as the oldest in the group. Known for her edgy look and strong hip-hop aura, she made a lasting impression on audiences. Her debut performance captivated viewers with her charismatic presence and outstanding rap skills, fueling excitement for BABYMONSTER as the most anticipated rookie group of 2023.
