Enami Asa was born on April 17, 2006, in Tokyo, Japan, the youngest of three sisters. Growing up, she showed an early interest in performing arts, participating in her first musical production at age 11. In 2018, at just 12 years old, Asa passed YG Entertainment's Japanese audition and began what would become a six-year training period that shaped her into one of the group's most skilled rappers and dancers.

During her trainee years, Asa gained a reputation for her perfectionist approach and inquisitive nature. She was known among instructors for asking the most questions, which allowed her to grasp concepts quickly and develop her skills rapidly. Her training focused heavily on rap technique, Korean language pronunciation, and hip-hop dance—all areas where she would later excel in BABYMONSTER.

On January 26, 2023, YG Entertainment introduced Asa as the fourth member of BABYMONSTER through a live performance video showcasing her rap skills covering BlocBoy JB and Drake's "Look Alive."1 The introduction built anticipation for what would become one of K-pop's most closely watched pre-debut processes.

Between March and May 2023, YG Entertainment aired "Last Evaluation," a YouTube series that documented the final seven trainees competing for spots in BABYMONSTER. During this evaluation period, Asa delivered a memorable solo performance covering "Me, Myself & I" by G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha, where she wrote her own rap verses—a skill that would soon prove instrumental in her career.2

The evaluation process was intense, with founder Yang Hyun-suk initially planning a smaller group.7 When rankings were announced, Asa placed seventh alongside Rora, putting both at risk of elimination. However, an overwhelming fan response changed the outcome—fans launched a passionate campaign supporting all seven members' debut. Listening to the fanbase, Yang Hyun-suk reversed his decision, allowing Asa to make her debut and, alongside fellow Japanese member Ruka, become one of the first Japanese female idols under YG Entertainment.

On November 27, 2023, BABYMONSTER officially debuted with the digital single "Batter Up." The release marked a significant milestone for Asa personally—she was credited as both lyricist and composer on the group's debut song, making her the only member with songwriting credits on the track.3

The Korea Herald reported that Asa collaborated with renowned producers including DEE.P, BIGTONE, Treasure's Choi Hyun-suk, and AKMU's Lee Chan-hyuk on the debut single.3 This level of creative involvement for a debut artist was unusual, particularly in the K-pop industry where groups typically debut with entirely producer-written material.

The debut proved immediately successful. "Batter Up" topped iTunes Song Charts in 14 countries within hours of release, and the music video surpassed 10 million YouTube views in less than 12 hours. The song debuted at No. 5 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart and reached No. 101 on the Billboard Global 200, establishing BABYMONSTER as serious contenders in the global K-pop market.4

Within BABYMONSTER, Asa occupies a distinct role in the group's dual-rapper configuration. While her fellow main rapper Ruka handles mid-to-low tone sections that build intensity, Asa specializes in high-tone rapid-fire verses that demand precise diction and breath control. Despite being a native Japanese speaker rapping primarily in Korean, she delivers complex fast-paced sections with remarkable clarity—a testament to her six years of training focused on Korean pronunciation.

In a Billboard interview, Asa expressed her aspirations for continued creative involvement, stating her hopes to showcase a wider variety of skills through songwriting and music production.4

Speaking to The Korea Herald about the group's identity, Asa acknowledged learning from YG's legacy acts like BLACKPINK and 2NE1, expressing the group's desire to own the stage with similar skills and presence.5 This connection to YG's legacy became a defining aspect of BABYMONSTER's musical direction, with Asa helping to carry forward the company's signature hip-hop sound.

Asa's songwriting contributions expanded throughout 2024. She co-wrote "Love In My Heart" for BABYMONSTER's first full studio album "DRIP," released in November 2024. Most notably, she collaborated with Ruka on "Woke Up In Tokyo," a Japanese-language duet featuring the group's two Japanese members that incorporated playful cultural references and showcased their bilingual songwriting abilities.

The year 2024 brought significant milestones for the group. Their first mini-album "BABYMONS7ER" exceeded 460,000 pre-orders, with title track "SHEESH" becoming their first top-ten hit on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart. The song also ranked as one of the most-streamed K-pop songs on Spotify for the year, contributing to BABYMONSTER's placement among Spotify's top-streamed K-pop artists in 2024.

In November 2024, Spotify selected BABYMONSTER as their latest RADAR KOREA artist—a global program designed to support emerging artists. During the RADAR LIVE event, fellow member Chiquita described Asa's stage presence, highlighting her rap skills and commanding stage presence.6

From a 12-year-old auditionee to a credited songwriter and main rapper, Asa's journey exemplifies both the rigorous training system and creative opportunities that define YG Entertainment. Her evolution from near-elimination to becoming an integral creative force in BABYMONSTER demonstrates how fan engagement and artistic potential can reshape industry decisions, ultimately contributing to one of K-pop's most anticipated fourth-generation groups.