Yabuki Nako, known simply as Nako, is a Japanese singer, dancer, actress, model, and former member of HKT48 (エイチケーティーフォーティーエイト), AKB48 (エーケービーフォーティーエイト) and IZ*ONE (아이즈원 / アイズワン). She did not attend high school to focus on her singing career but later obtained her diploma after finishing the required courses by mail.

She made her debut as a child actor in 2005 with a role in the movie "Touch". One year later, she began appearing in several commercials, and in 2009, she appeared in the made-for-television films "Detective Samonji Susumu" and "My Father's Longest Day".

She then joined HKT48 as a third-generation trainee in December 2013 and quickly became the ace within a month after debuting. The group's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with its own theater and perform daily so fans could always see them live. In March 2015, she was also given a concurrent position in AKB48 Team B and promoted with both groups until December 2017.

In mid-2018, she participated in the survival show "Produce 48". She finished in 6th place and earned a spot in the resulting project group. She debuted in October 2018 as IZ*ONE's sub-vocalist with their first mini-album, "Color*IZ". They were co-managed by Off The Record Entertainment (오프더레코드엔터테인먼트) and WakeOne (웨이크원) in South Korea.

The contract was planned for 2 and a half years, and in April 2021, the group officially disbanded after no agreement could be reached with all the members' agencies to extend it.

In April 2023, she graduated from HKT48 with one last concert and also announced her departure from the Japanese agency Vernalossom (株式会社Vernalossom; formerly known as AKS).

She is now represented by Twin Planet Entertainment and is focused on her acting career.

(Source: kisskh) Edit Biography