Ylva (Korean: 일바; Japanese: イルバ) is a Sami-Norwegian-Korean singer, dancer, and model. She is a member of DKDK. She is also a former member of a pre-debut group named BLUE EFFECT, which failed to debut.
On April 22, 2025, Ylva and the other members of DKDK successfully terminated their contracts with YW Entertainment. They will continue as a group under LoveRail Entertainment.
Personal background[]
2003-2009: Early childhood[]
Ylva was born Ylva Åsebo-Kim on "Lille Julaften" (Little Christmas), or December 23, 2003. She was born in northern Norway, in Alta. She was born by her Norwegian-Sami mother and her Korean father. Due to having Sami blood in her family and growing up in the County of Finnmark, she was surrounded a lot by Sami traditions. She can even speak Northern Sami. Her childhood in Alta was relatively calm, even if Alta was a relatively small town, and she recalls it as a childhood she wouldn't swap for anything else.
2010-2017: Moving to Sveio and bullying[]
Before Ylva started elementary school, her family decided to move from the rest of her family in Finnmark and down to Sveio in Hordaland, Norway. In a place with less than 2,000 in population, Ylva easily stood out as the only mixed kid in Sveio.
Ylva quickly started missing her hometown of Alta, especially when she easily became the target of bullying and teasing by the other kids in Sveio. She recalls being called lots of racist slurs for both her Korean and Sami background, and lots of teasing from her "ugly Northern Norway accent".
Being a lot alone in this time period, she started becoming interested in her Korean heritage and K-pop, and eventually interested to become an idol herself. But most of all, she was most interested in just getting a solution out of the small village she was stuck in. Around 2017, she started auditioning to multiple companies, before being asked to fly out to Korea to become a trainee, and she easily took this opportunity to pursue her career of becoming an idol.
Career[]
2020: Failed debut with BLUE EFFECT[]
In the beginning of 2020, rumours speculated that a group named BLUE EFFECT was set to debut with an experimental concept. This was supposed to be a 5-member girl group, with Ylva as a speculated member. The group easily gained lots of attention from overseas fans, especially due to the two members Ylva and Sveta's ethnicity and nationality.
Before BLUE EFFECT's debut, rumours started to boil against their company's CEO. The CEO ended up getting arrested, and along with the company, BLUE EFFECT disbanded before their debut. There was never a clear disbandment date, as they just went in-active with no comment.
Ylva is still thankful for the experience from BLUE EFFECT, especially since this was the reason she met one of her best friends, Katy.
2021-2022: Moving back to Norway[]
After the disbandment of BLUE EFFECT, Ylva's parents begged Ylva to come home to continue her education in Norway. In the beginning, Ylva thanked no and refused to move back with her parents. It was then suggested that she could move in with her grandparents, whom lived in Kautokeino, Finnmark, Norway. Finally, Ylva agreed and moved in with her grandparents. Here she continued her education in Norway, while being surrounded by the culture and traditions she missed back home, without being teased and bullied by others.
2023-2025: Joining DKDK[]
Ylva was completely convinced she was done with idol life. She was then asked to join DKDK after being recommended by her senior and friend, Katy. She then decided that maybe it was worth it to try one last time, and then agreed to join DKDK.
On September 22, it was revealed that Ylva was a part of the new lineup of DKDK.
On October 17, Ylva finally debuted with DKDK with their mini album BUNGEE.
2025-present: Suing YW Entertainment[]
On February 19, 2025, it was announced that Ylva filed a lawsuit against YW Entertainment seeking to terminate her exclusive contracts, alongside with band members Zhang Meixiu, Wan Lin, Yoon Haeun, Ji Ana, and Evalina Alamilla. The members allege that the company failed to uphold contractual obligations and subjected them to child neglect, labor exploitation, and poor working conditions.
On April 22, 2025, DKDK members won their lawsuit against YW Entertainment and left the company after terminating their exclusive contracts. The court sided with the members following claims of child neglect, labor exploitation, and poor working conditions.
The members who did not sue—Kitty, Kiku, Bambi, and Yanling—left DKDK as they continued under YW Entertainment individually. The current six joined LoveRail Entertainment, home to former member KATY.
Trivia[]
- Ylva grew up in Alta, Finnmark, Norway.
- She had a dog named Minti.
- She enjoys skiing, snowbiking, snow scooters and reindeer herding.
- She loves Cheez Doodles and Pretzel Sticks.
- She says a big inspiration of hers is her senior Katy.
- She recalls camping a lot in a lavvo when she was younger.
- She has Sami blood.
- She has eaten reindeer heart before.
- One of her favorite foods are blood pancakes.
- She has a distinct accent when speaking english.
- She can speak Norwegian, Northern Sami, English, Korean and some Chinese and Japanese.
- She loves nature and hiking.
- She has owned 7 dogs before, all Siberian Huskys.
- Her grandparents own lots of reindeers.
Gallery[]
Promotional[]
