Aint_raya_
They always said I wasn't pretty enough to be noticed, but never plain enough to be ignored. I was that in-between girl-soft, chubby cheeks, a body that didn't fit the standards, and a face that wasn't ugly, yet not beautiful enough to make people stare. I grew up hearing whispers, half-compliments, half-insults, and learning to smile through them all. But what they didn't know was that I was born into a world of lights, cameras, and expectations. My mother was a famous actress, my father a respected actor, and my older brother a K-pop idol adored by millions.
I spent my kindergarten years in Korea, tasting fame as a child actress. When elementary came, my mother decided it would be good for me to study in the Philippines, to experience life away from the spotlight. While they stayed behind in Korea, I lived with my grandmother, learning independence and missing the people I loved. Every vacation, I flew back to Korea for filming sets, flashing cameras, and rehearsals-only to return to the Philippines and live a normal life.
In the Philippines, I discovered friendship, laughter, and my first heartbreak. Every disappointment, tear, and smile shaped me, making me stronger, wiser, and determined to chase my dreams. Back in Korea for 10th grade, I focused on health and fitness, transforming into a confident, sexy, and admired girl. Yet my heart longed for the Philippines, and by 11th grade, I chose to return, carrying all I had learned and earned.
Between two countries, cultures, and versions of myself, I learned life isn't about fitting in-it's about finding your place, your voice, and hope. This is my story.