Choo Sarang's First Model Audition: A Chance to Grow or Too Much Pressure?
Choo Sarang, the daughter of Japanese model Shiho Yano and Korean martial artist Choo Sung-hoon, recently took her first step into the modeling world. Her journey was featured on the ENA TV show My Child's Private Life, where viewers saw her participating in a real-life audition for a fashion brand. Though she prepared with dedication, Sarang was visibly overwhelmed on the day of the audition—eventually crying from nerves. Watching from the sidelines, her mother also shed tears, leading to an emotional moment on the show.
Sarang had been practicing catwalks (runway walking techniques) with her mother, hoping to follow in her footsteps. But faced with unfamiliar faces and flashing cameras, she broke into tears as she walked in alone. Her mother, Shiho Yano, gently encouraged her to breathe, reminding her that mistakes are part of learning. It was a moving portrait of parental support amid the cutthroat nature of auditions.
Pros vs. Cons: Confidence Builder or Stress Trigger?
The Positive Side
At just 11 years old, Sarang's willingness to chase a dream shows courage and determination. Practicing with her mother and stepping into a real audition demonstrates her growing confidence and maturity. It also highlights the significance of family support in helping children take on challenges.
Psychological studies in child development consistently show that encouraging new experiences—like auditions, sports, or public performances—can nurture self-esteem and improve social skills. In Sarang’s case, being able to process setbacks, like freezing up or crying, within a loving environment may help her learn resilience (the ability to bounce back from difficulties).
The Concerns
But not everyone sees it as purely positive. Some viewers worry that placing a child in a competitive environment under public scrutiny might impose undue pressure. Sarang’s tears were not for a lost doll or scraped knee—they were from genuine stress, which is a serious concern at her age.
The broader concern is about privacy and childhood fame. Appearing on TV, sharing her most vulnerable moments, and having those moments discussed online could have short- and long-term effects on her emotional wellbeing. In Korea—and increasingly in the U.S.—many child stars have spoken about burnout and pressure from an early age. It becomes even more complex when one or both parents are celebrities with expectations of their own.
Walking the Tightrope: Parental Support vs. Public Expectations
On one hand, Sarang showed impressive resolve. Her willingness to try, supported step-by-step by a loving parent, is nothing short of inspiring. On the other hand, children performing under bright lights—literally and metaphorically—can blur the line between inspiration and exploitation.
This is not a problem unique to Sarang. From the Olsen twins to JoJo Siwa, American child celebrities have long navigated growing up in front of cameras. For some, it leads to early success and long-term careers. For others, it leads to identity crises and regrets over lost childhoods. National dialogue around child labor laws—even for YouTubers and Instagram influencers—shows just how complex this issue has become.
That’s why this moment between Sarang and her mother struck such a chord: it reminded viewers that behind the glamour of fashion and fame is a normal child looking for her mother in a room full of strangers. It's also a reminder that modeling or acting may be glamorous paths, but they are also demanding ones—even more so when started too early.
Final Thoughts: Balance, Not Brilliance
Sarang’s story shouldn’t be about whether she became a model after one audition—it’s about what she learned in the process and how the adults around her respond to her emotional needs. Her mother’s presence, her tears, and her advice all reflect the right kind of parenting support when a child faces public pressures.
As more children enter spaces that were once strictly for adults—TV, modeling, YouTube—our protective instincts must evolve. Success shouldn't be measured by social media followers or magazine covers but by whether the child feels seen, safe, and supported.
For Sarang, this one audition might have been a small moment, but how it was handled could shape her entire relationship with ambition. The world is watching, yes—but more importantly, her parents are watching with empathy. And that, just maybe, makes all the difference.
