YG Entertainment, the K-pop giant behind global sensations like BLACKPINK, ushered in a new era with the debut of its newest girl group, BABYMONSTER (Baemon). Officially launching as a seven-member team in April 2024, the group quickly captured attention for its multicultural lineup and strong “YG DNA” of powerful performances and charisma. Among them, Chiquita shines as the youngest member (maknae) and one of two Thai members, following the path paved by BLACKPINK’s Lisa.
Biography
- Full Name: Riracha Phondechaphiphat (ริรชาพรเดชาพิพัฒน์)
- Stage Name: Chiquita (치키타)
- Nickname: Canny
- Date of Birth: February 17, 2009
- Nationality: Thai
- Current Location: South Korea
- Education: Sarasas Witaed Nakhon Ratchasima School (Thailand)
- Occupation: Singer, Idol
- Group: BABYMONSTER
- Agency: YG Entertainment
- YouTube Channel: BABYMONSTER
Fun Facts
- As the first female K-pop group member born in 2009, she automatically set a new record as the youngest member of any K-pop girl group.
- Unusually for a Thai idol in K-pop, she uses a stage name that is unrelated to her real name or “Churen.”
- Known affectionately as Canny, Cherry, and Kita.
- Cites BLACKPINK’s Lisa as her biggest inspiration.
- She auditioned with ‘In The Name Of Love’ by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha.
- She was in the cover group RedRose.
- She speaks Thai and English. She is still learning Korean.
- Enjoys smoked quail eggs and mandarins. Ramen has also been mentioned as a favorite. She was banned from eating ramen by her mother because she ate too much, but she said she often ate it in secret.
- She went viral for her adorable reaction while enjoying tteokbokki at a baseball game.
- Loves plushies and keeps many in her dorm room, which is decorated with bright colors.
- Her favorite dessert is chocolate ice cream.
- Her favorite fruits are mandarins.
- She dislikes vegetables (tomatoes for example) and is a picky eater.
- Her favorite colors are baby pink, red, and black.
- Her specialty is playing the flugelhorn, which she has been learning since she was six years old.
- She started learning Taekwondo for a while in 2014.
- Chiquita’s favorite movie is Mean Girls, Twilight, & the Harry Potter series.
Career
YG Trainee and Last Evaluation
Chiquita’s journey with YG Entertainment began when she auditioned in 2021, performing “In The Name Of Love” by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha. She became the final member to join the BABYMONSTER project. Notably, she had the shortest training period among the seven members. Sources indicate she began training sometime in 2021 (variously cited as March or July), meaning she trained for approximately 1 year and 9 months to 2 years before the group’s final lineup was confirmed via the reality show Last Evaluation. This duration is significantly shorter than the average 4-6 years reported for other members like Ruka, Asa, Rami, Ahyeon, and Rora.
Her rapid progression was showcased in Last Evaluation, a YouTube reality series chronicling the trainees’ final assessments. Despite her limited training time, Chiquita ranked third in the final evaluation, securing her place in the debut lineup. YG founder Yang Hyun-suk initially planned for a five-member group but ultimately decided to debut all seven trainees due to strong fan support and the members’ demonstrated potential.
Chiquita’s inclusion as the third Thai idol under YG Entertainment, following the immense global success of BLACKPINK’s Lisa, carries significant weight. This lineage immediately draws comparisons and sets high expectations, but also strategically positions BABYMONSTER to appeal to the large and influential Southeast Asian market, leveraging the established popularity of Thai idols in K-pop. Lisa herself served as a mentor during Last Evaluation, providing guidance to Chiquita and fellow Thai member Pharita, further solidifying this connection.
Debut and Career Highlights
BABYMONSTER’s official entry into the K-pop scene occurred in stages. The group initially debuted as a six-member lineup on November 27, 2023, with the digital single “Batter Up”. Member Ahyeon was temporarily absent due to health reasons. A second single, “Stuck in the Middle,” was released by the six members on February 1, 2024.
The group’s official debut as a complete seven-member ensemble took place on April 1, 2024, with the release of their first mini-album (EP), BABYMONS7ER, marking Ahyeon’s return.
Chiquita’s position within BABYMONSTER is multifaceted, reflecting the group’s emphasis on versatility. Her most definitive role is that of the maknae, the youngest member of the group. This role often carries connotations of youthful energy, charm, and significant growth potential within the K-pop dynamic.
Beyond her age-defined role, Chiquita is consistently recognized as a core Vocalist and Dancer. Her soulful vocal delivery, noted even during her pre-debut evaluations despite her youth , and her strong dance skills, acquired rapidly during training , form the foundation of her performance identity.
Early Life
Riracha Phondechaphiphat, who would later become known as Chiquita, was born and raised in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.She attended Sarasas Witaed Nakhonratchasima School in her home province. Her family includes her parents and an older brother, Dechawat Phondechaphiphat, known professionally as Copper Dechawat. Copper is also active in the entertainment industry as a member of the Thai boy group BUS (Because of You I Shine), which debuted under SONRAY MUSIC.
The family appears supportive of Chiquita’s career; online interactions have shown her parents recreating her dances, and her mother engaging with fans. Before her K-pop aspirations took shape, Chiquita gained early performance experience as part of a dance cover group named RedRose. She also briefly studied Taekwondo in 2014.
Controversies/Incidents
Debut Age and Styling Concerns
Initial concerns were raised by netizens when Chiquita was first introduced as a 13-year-old trainee for BABYMONSTER. This discussion intensified significantly in November 2023 with the release of her debut teaser photos and video for “Batter Up.” In these visuals, Chiquita, then 14, sported a more mature “idol-esque” look, featuring darker makeup and a striking black-and-red outfit.
This styling choice sparked considerable debate on online platforms. While many fans were excited, a notable segment questioned the appropriateness of such mature styling for a 14-year-old, suggesting YG Entertainment might be attempting to make her appear older. This incident tapped into a broader, ongoing conversation within the K-pop industry regarding the debut of minors, age-appropriate concepts, and the ethical responsibilities of entertainment agencies in managing the image and well-being of young artists. Some commentators pointed out perceived hypocrisy, comparing the criticism directed at BABYMONSTER to reactions regarding other groups with young members, such as NewJeans.
Inkigayo Performance Incident (April 2024)
Concerns about the pressures on Chiquita were further amplified following a performance of “SHEESH” on the music show Inkigayo in April 2024. Fan-taken videos and observations noted that towards the end of the performance, Chiquita appeared visibly exhausted, frequently closing her eyes and seemingly struggling to maintain focus and consciousness. This led to widespread worry among fans about her health, with fears that she might faint on stage.
This incident fueled existing concerns, especially given BABYMONSTER’s demanding schedule, which included multiple music show appearances, variety show recordings, fan signs, and preparations for upcoming fan meetings across Asia and a full album release. The visual evidence of her struggle underscored anxieties about potential overwork and the physical toll of the idol lifestyle on such a young member.
