I. Introduction
eSNa (에스나) is a Korean-American singer, songwriter, and producer. She made her debut on August 14, 2014 with the single "I, I Love You".
II. Career
Esna was born in Los Angeles, California and graduated from UCLA, where she studied jazz vocals. She started her music career by uploading cover songs on YouTube, and moved to South Korea in 2010.
In 2011, she was a contestant on the singing competition program Superstar K3 (under her Korean name, Yoon Bitnara), and was eliminated during the rival mission.
She was eventually signed to WA Entertainment (now Rainbow Bridge World). She said she had a difficult time until she "accepted Korea as [her] home" in 2013.
That same year, she formed a collaboration project with Kero One, named Kesna Music. Their single "Is It Love?" was released in July 2013.
Her first solo release in South Korea was the song "Bite My Lower Lips" for the soundtrack of the television drama The Heirs, released in October. "Mistletoe", a Christmas collaboration with Geeks and Phantom, co-written by Esna, was released in December.
As a songwriter, her breakthrough was the song "Some", written for Soyou and Junggigo (featuring Lil Boi of Geeks), released in February 2014. Esna wrote the song with her agency's CEO, Kim Do-hoon, and Min Yeon-jae, Xepy, Lil Boi and Junggigo. It spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard Korea K-Pop Hot 100, tying the all-time chart record.
Most of Esna's compositions are inspired by R&B, jazz and swing, including Wheesung and Gummy's "Special Love" and songs written for RBW's girl group Mamamoo.
Esna was credited as a songwriter for four songs on Mamamoo's debut album Hello and co-composed both songs on Piano Man. On one song, "Gentleman", Esna also sang in collaboration with Mamamoo.
In March 2015, Esna and Seulong released the song "Destiny", for the soundtrack of the television drama Hogu's Love. It was written and produced by Esna, and was the main theme for Seulong's character in the drama.
In April, Esna and Mamamoo released the collaboration single "Ahh Oop!", from Mamamoo's album Pink Funky. After the song's release, Esna received derisive comments about her appearance from Korean netizens.
On October 22, 2015, Esna released her first extended play, eSNa The Singer. It contains the previously released single "A Little Lovin" and a solo version of "Ahh Oop!", as well as the single "Me, Today".
In April 2016, Esna became the DJ for the Arirang Radio program Sound K.
III. Discography
Mini Album(s)
| Cover | Title | Date of Release |
| eSNa The Singer | 2015 | |
| Have A Drink | 2019 |
Digital Single(s)
| Cover | Title | Date of Release |
| "I, I Love You" | 2014 | |
| "A Little Lovin" | 2015 | |
| "No Thanks" | 2016 | |
| "Attention" | 2016 | |
| "Could We Fall In Love Again" | 2021 | |
| "I Want To Be In Love" | 2021 | |
| "Playboy" | 2021 |
Collaboration(s)
| Cover | Title | Date of Release |
| "Wayogayo Vol.1" (with Geeks, Phantom) | 2013 | |
| "Ahh Oop!" (with MAMAMOO) | 2015 | |
| "Love Comes" (with Hwa Sa) | 2017 |
OST(s)
Producing and Writing Credits
| Artist | Song | Album |
| Mamamoo | "Don't Be Happy" | "Don't Be Happy" |
| Mamamoo | "Heeheehaheho" | "Heeheehaheho" |
| Mamamoo | "Hello" | Hello |
