[Interview] Mizuki On Music, Modelling and Making Your Own Path

Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones – always focused on sound, stage and substance.

Interviewing K-Pop artists is always a pleasure – hearing their stories, exploring their love of music, and charting the trajectory of their careers is always exciting. I truly believe that artists are defined by their words and actions, and today’s artist’s personality and drive shine through with every single answer.

We are honoured to bring you an interview with the multi-talented Ogawa Mizuki. Mizuki has achieved so much in her career so far, exploring many different facets of the entertainment industry from music, to acting, and now modelling. We were so grateful to be able to ask her about her next steps as she reaches this new stage of her professional journey.

Thank you so much to all of her fans for sharing so many thoughtful, interesting and varied questions. This interview is for you.

Introduction:

Mizuki (Ogawa Mizuki) also known as Léa (SECRET NUMBER) and Hana (SKarf) is a singer, actor, model and YouTuber.

Mizuki first appeared in the entertainment industry as a child actor in the Japanese movie ‘School Days With A Pig’ (2008). The movie was based on a true story in Osaka Prefecture, where a teacher raised a piglet with his 6th grade class. The film was made to get the audience to ponder on the cycle of life.

Following this, Mizuki joined K-Pop group SKarf in December of 2012, under the stage name of Hana. Her official debut was in 2013 with the group’s first mini album, ‘Luv Virus’. The group disbanded some time in 2015.

She then joined the survival show MIXNINE in 2017, being eliminated in episode 7 after ranking 109th.

Most recently, she joined SECRET NUMBER in 2020 under the stage name of Léa, becoming the leader of the group. She made her debut with SECRET NUMBER on May 19th, 2020, with the release of ‘Who Dis?’. With the group, MIzuki was able to tour in her home country of Japan, as well as the US and Indonesia.

That leads us to today – Mizuki left SECRET NUMBER in 2025 following the end of her exclusive contract with Vine Entertainment.

As Mizuki steps into the next stage of her career, we had the opportunity to ask her some questions about her current work, her favourite memories, and her goals for the future.

Interview:

Q1. Please introduce yourself and your work!

Hello to everyone reading this article, nice to meet you — I’m Mizuki. At the moment, I’m not really doing anything in particular. It’s my first time truly being free, so I’m enjoying this period to the fullest!

Q2. How does it feel to be pursuing your own independent activities, and what are you most grateful for at this stage of your life?

It’s only been about four months, so I wouldn’t say I’m in full-on “active mode” yet — I’m taking my time, enjoying my own space, while working through projects I really want to do, one by one.

There are still many things I haven’t been able to share yet, so I hope you’ll look forward to them.

Right now, the thing I’m most grateful for is my ability to live independently. I’ve realized that my survival skills are surprisingly strong! For the first time, I’m truly living alone, working, and supporting myself entirely through my own efforts, and I’m thankful that I can do that.

Q3. What are you currently preparing for your fashion week debut, and what do you love the most about your new modelling career?

I’ve wanted to model for a long time, so being able to take my very first step in my dream cities — Paris and Milan — makes me incredibly happy. I’m making an effort to deepen my interest in fashion. Honestly, in my everyday life I’m the kind of person who wears the most comfortable training clothes possible, but from now on, I want to be more mindful and work towards becoming the kind of inspiring figure I’ve always admired.

Q4. Who is your role model in the acting or modelling scene and why?

To be honest, I don’t have a specific role model. I’ve always believed in expressing my own colors and trusting myself.

If I had to choose, I’d say my mother and grandmother. I want to become a woman like my mother, and grow old like my grandmother — loved by everyone.

Q5. Are you also thinking of pursuing acting opportunities, and if so what types of roles would you like to play?

I just started taking acting lessons this month. It’s not because I already have acting work lined up, but I actually debuted in a film when I was in elementary school, so I’d love to challenge myself again someday.

I’d like to try something action-heavy, or a deeply emotional work that moves people’s hearts.

Q6. Can you describe the difference between the music you like to listen to, and the music you’d like to release?

I usually listen to bright, upbeat songs — I rarely listen to ballads. I like music that makes me feel happy, so if I release music again, I’d love it to be something full of hope.

Q7. Do you have a favourite song that you like to play on your guitar?

Lately, I haven’t had much time to play guitar, but when I do, it’s usually J-pop songs. If I get the chance, I’d love to share some performances as content.

Q8. You recently posted a cover of Baby V.O.X.’s “Ya Ya Ya” on YouTube. What do you love about this song, and which artist first got you interested in K-Pop music?

I’ve always liked older Korean songs, so besides Baby V.O.X., I really enjoy tracks from 90s idols. There’s something about that nostalgic atmosphere that feels comforting and familiar.

The artist who first got me into K-pop was TVXQ — and I still love them to this day.

Q9. You’ve been on many stages so far. Which was the most memorable for you and why?

That’s a very difficult question, but I think my most memorable was my showcase in Japan. It was the first time I could show my idol self to my mother in person, so it left a deep impression on me.

Q10. What challenges did you face as a foreign artist working in the K-Pop scene?

These days, there are many foreign members in K-pop groups and the systems are much more established. But when I first came to Korea, there were hardly any Japanese idols.

I often felt lonely and uncertain. Still, that experience made me stronger, and now I see it as something very valuable. Life is short, and I’m proud that I was able to take on so many challenges while I was still young.

Q11. What advice would you give to young people looking to enter the entertainment industry?

Don’t be afraid to fail. Only you can decide what counts as success or failure for yourself, so if your heart is shouting that it wants to try something, I hope you find the courage to go for it.

From a public perspective, some people might think I haven’t “succeeded,” but to me, every single experience has been my treasure — so in my eyes, I’m already a huge success. And I’ll keep challenging myself from here on.

Q12. What are your goals and dreams for the future?

To keep taking on new challenges. I have so many things I want to do that I can’t limit myself to just one goal — I want to try everything.

One of those things is modeling, so I want to grow even more as a model. And I will definitely pursue acting, so one day, I hope we can meet on the big screen.

I also know that what my fans most want to see is me performing on stage — and I love singing and dancing — so I hope to continue doing that in some form as well.

Q13. Do you have any hobbies or interests these days that your fans may not know about?

Honestly, I probably share everything already.

The main exercise I do these days is running, and someday I’d love to run a full marathon.

Q14. We saw on your YouTube channel that your former group member Dita helped you move into your new place. What does it mean to you to have that support system around you?

Meeting Dita itself is one of the greatest treasures of my life.

We have completely opposite personalities, hobbies, and interests — maybe that’s why we never run out of things to talk about when we’re together. When something happy happens, sharing it with her doubles my happiness, and when something sad happens, sharing it halves the burden.

If I don’t see her at least once a week, I feel lonely.

Q15. Lastly, do you have any messages for your fans and anyone who may be reading about you for the first time?

To all my fans who have continued to support me — thank you for always waiting, even when I couldn’t say what I wanted to in the situations I was in. I often said “I’m sorry” more than “thank you.”

But now, I can decide everything for myself and share it in my own way, and that makes me happier than anything.

I don’t know exactly in what form we’ll meet again, but we definitely will. So please support me in a way that doesn’t become a burden to you.

And to those who are meeting me for the first time — if I’ve caught your interest, please follow me! I think you’ll find I’m actually a pretty fun person, so you won’t get bored.

Thank you so much to Mizuki for taking the time to answer all of these questions from all of us at HallyuTones and your fans! We really appreciate your thoughtful responses and wish you the best with whatever your future holds in modelling, acting, performing and beyond!

Please check out Mizuki’s socials below:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mi.m00n/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mi.moon95