Artist Profile
- Full Name: Sakai Moka
- Native Name: 김모카
- Nicknames: N/A
- Birthday: Oct 08, 2004 (21 years old)
- Blood type: B
- Height/Weight: 162 cm (5’4″) / N/A
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- MBTI: ISFP
- Birthplace: Fukuoka, Japan
- Nationality: Japanese
- Profession: Singer, Dancer
- Language Skills: Japanese, Korean
- Current Agency: BE:LIFT Lab
- Debut: March 25, 2024
- Years Active: 2024–present (2 years)
- Group: ILLIT
Moka (born Sakai Moka; October 8, 2004) is a Japanese singer based in South Korea. She is a member of the South Korean girl group ILLIT, managed by Belift Lab, a subsidiary of Hybe. Moka serves as a dancer and visual for the group.
Early life
Moka was born in Fukuoka, Japan, and has a younger sister born in 2006. Prior to becoming a trainee, Sakai Moka studied dance at Dance School BRIDGE. In September 2020, Sakai Moka joined HYBE LABELS JAPAN (formerly Big Hit Japan) as a trainee. After approximately three years of training, Sakai Moka transferred to Belift Lab in 2022 to participate in the JTBC survival reality show R U Next?. Sakai Moka placed fifth in the competition and was selected as one of the original six members of the final lineup for ILLIT.
Following the departure of member Youngseo in January 2024, ILLIT officially debuted as a five-member group on March 25, 2024, with the release of the extended play Super Real Me.
Career
In March 2024, Moka debuted as a member of ILLIT with the extended play Super Real Me and its lead single “Magnetic.” In October of the same year, the group released their second mini album, I’ll Like You, featuring the lead single “Cherish (My Love)” and the follow-up single “Tick-Tack.” In November, Moka performed “Magnetic” and “Cherish (My Love)” at the 2024 MAMA Awards.
In June 2025, Moka participated in the first fan concert for ILLIT, titled 2025 ILLIT GLITTER DAY IN SEOUL, held at the Olympic Hall in Seoul, where Sakai Moka performed a previously unreleased song. During the same month, Moka resumed group activities with the release of their third mini album, bomb, and continued to participate in promotional activities, music programs, and award ceremonies throughout 2025.
Fun Facts
- She needs to set up to five alarms every morning because she has a habit of turning them off and falling back asleep.
- She once said she wants to be called Caffè Moka because she really loves drinking mocha coffee.
- Her grandfather owns a bakery in Japan, and her favorite type of bread is salt bread.
- She says she resembles a hamster, and fans also say she looks like a cat, a rabbit, and a hamster.
- She enjoys watching horror movies before going to bed or while eating, and even considers it one of her specialties.
- She is afraid of roller coasters and only dares to ride indoor ones.
- She dislikes mushrooms because she doesn’t like either their texture or their smell.
- She is called the “mother” of the group by the members because she takes good care of everyone.
- She was introduced to K-pop thanks to her mother, who is a huge fan of BIGBANG, and her favorite karaoke song is also by BIGBANG.
- She owns a foam roller and considers it the most useless item she has.
- She has a shy personality and wants to make many friends but is often too timid to start conversations.
- She relieves stress by calling her mother and talking on the phone.
- She started making beaded crafts during filming and enjoyed it so much that she often makes bracelets and necklaces at the dorm.
- She loves summer because of the sunshine and the atmosphere of summer nights.
- Her favorite snack is jelly, and her favorite dessert is financier cake.
Photo Gallery
