FIFTY FIFTY member Athena, a Korean-Swedish dual citizen, grew up immersed in both cultures and developed her passion for K-pop early on. In 2024, she auditioned for ATTRAKT and impressed CEO Jeon Hongjun, leading to a successful four-week trial. Athena now stands out in the group with her soulful vocals and graceful dance performances.
Athena’s Background in FIFTY FIFTY: A Korean-Swedish Idol
Athena is a singer and a member of the multinational girl group FIFTY FIFTY, under the company ATTRAKT. She was born and raised in Sweden and holds dual citizenship in Korea and Sweden. From a young age, Athena learned about Korean culture through her mother. She grew up as a third-culture kid (TCK), experiencing both Korean and Swedish languages and traditions.
Early Achievements: Music and Dance
In May 2018, when Athena was just 11 years old, she participated in the Classical Young Artists Contest in Stockholm, Sweden. She played the piano and won third place in the elementary division, receiving 3,000 Krona as her prize. By 2021, at the age of 14, she began attending a K-pop dance academy in Sweden, where she studied for about three years.
Athena’s Journey to FIFTY FIFTY: Auditions and Success
In September 2023, at the age of 16, Athena visited the Korean Cultural Festival in Stockholm, where she appeared in a segment on YTN news. Through this interview, viewers learned that Athena had already become fluent in Korean before moving to Korea and had a strong sense of pride in her heritage, despite growing up in Sweden. Having developed a passion for K-pop from a young age, Athena pursued her dream of becoming an idol by auditioning for various companies. After initially failing an audition in late 2023, a contact introduced her to ATTRAKT.
In February 2024, Athena flew to Korea with her mother for an audition, singing Madison Beer’s “Reckless.” ATTRAKT’s CEO, Jeon Hongjun, was deeply impressed by Athena’s talent and made her a unique offer: she could experience life as a trainee for just four weeks, and if she found it too difficult, she was free to return to Sweden. However, Athena exceeded expectations, ranking first in the monthly evaluation after just four weeks. She officially met her group members in March 2024, solidifying her place in FIFTY FIFTY.
Athena’s Vocal and Dance Skills in FIFTY FIFTY
Athena officially joined FIFTY FIFTY in April 2024 after a training period of approximately 7-8 months. As a sub-vocalist, she possesses a soulful and captivating voice with a rich tone in the lower registers. Athena is known for delivering impactful performances during the introduction and bridge sections of songs, adding a unique flavor to FIFTY FIFTY’s music. Her dance skills also stand out, with a graceful elegance that draws attention. Due to her charm, she often takes on solo dance performances during key transitions in the group’s choreography.
Korean online community instiz Reactions to Athena
Korean online community instiz has shared positive reactions to Athena, noting that her appearance is fresh and unique for the idol world, especially considering her European background. Her being one of the few idols from Europe, along with the fact that Athena is her real name, has caught the attention of many fans. People have commented that her name perfectly suits her image and that her facial features are well-balanced and harmonious. Some even predicted that with Athena joining FIFTY FIFTY, the group would experience great success.
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Her face is a whole visual serving! Reminds me of so many idols I love.