STAYC’s Yoon won over viewers with her bubbly Gen Z charm, quick wit, and effortless sense of humor.

On the December 17 broadcast of MBC’s variety show Radio Star, Yoon appeared as a guest and made a strong impression with her fresh character and steady conversational flow.

Yoon opened the show by introducing herself as “Ms. Shim Ja-yoon,” a character from the web variety series Workers, immediately drawing laughter. She also expressed her fondness for the famous “Seat No. 4,” known for producing countless variety stars, joking honestly, “My left side looks a little better than straight-on,” sending the studio into fits of laughter. She added playfully, “I did briefly wonder if I could move up to that seat someday,” further lifting the mood with her easygoing confidence.

The MCs couldn’t hide their admiration for Yoon’s Western-featured visuals, prompting her to share a behind-the-scenes story: “Early in my debut days, people said if I just kept my mouth shut, they couldn’t tell I was Korean.” She then revealed she’s from Gwangju and uses a regional accent, adding a charming contrast to her appearance. When asked which feature she liked most about herself, Yoon confidently chose her lips.

Calling herself a “variety rookie,” Yoon teased a personal “secret weapon” but ended up performing an awkward eye-movement gag that landed unexpectedly soft laughs. Rather than being discouraged, her visible self-satisfaction only made the moment cuter, highlighting her natural, unforced charm.

Reflecting on her audition for Workers, Yoon admitted, “It was my first acting audition, and the scale really shocked me.” She continued, “I got nervous when I thought of it as acting, but once I switched my mindset to variety, I felt much more comfortable. I just wanted to make the people in front of me laugh, and I think that came across.”

She also impressed viewers by instantly recreating her role as a “Gen Z rookie employee whose passion fades quickly,” explaining, “That’s actually similar to my real personality — I burn bright, then cool down fast — so it wasn’t hard to act.” She added a self-deprecating anecdote about learning how to use a printer for the role, only to forget it immediately and rely on the writers for help.

Living up to her reputation as a “meme icon,” Yoon showcased viral dance trends alongside Kim Yong-myung and even prepared custom T-shirts for the MCs, earning admiration for her thoughtfulness. When asked by Kim Gura if she had received any hints about future casting on Workers 2, Yoon responded with a wink and a playful “Shh! It’s a secret,” triggering laughter. Her lively reactions and effortless banter made her variety persona even more distinct.

With her exceptional sociability, sharp sense of humor, and natural reactions, Yoon firmly established herself as a promising new variety star through Radio Star.

Meanwhile, STAYC continues to expand its global reach through diverse stages and content. The group is also preparing for the release of its first full-length Japanese album, STAY ALIVE, scheduled for February 11 next year.