On July 23, Wonbin appeared as the first guest of Season 3 on the YouTube show Sana’s Fridge Interview. During the episode, he chatted with host Sana about everything from how he was cast to his journey as a member of RIIZE.

When Sana asked how he felt about using his birth name, Park Won Bin, the idol candidly shared the concerns he had before making his debut.

“I never really thought much about it when I was in school,” he said. “But when I was preparing to debut, the actor Won Bin was already so famous for his visuals that I actually told my company, ‘I don’t think I can debut as Wonbin.'”

Wonbin admitted that sharing the same name as one of South Korea’s most iconic actors felt like a heavy burden. Worried about how the public would react, he even considered using a different stage name.

He went on to reveal that he had always wanted an English name since he was little and had personally come up with the name “Alex,” drawing laughter from Sana during the interview.

The conversation also touched on the congratulatory banners displayed in his hometown of Beomseo-eup, Ulju County, Ulsan. When Sana mentioned them, Wonbin shyly admitted that he felt a little embarrassed by the attention.

At the same time, he said his parents were incredibly proud of the recognition.

“Since I’m the first celebrity to come from Beomseo-eup, my parents were very proud, and I was proud too,” he said, reflecting on the experience.

Wonbin officially debuted on September 4, 2023, as a member of SM Entertainment’s six-member boy group RIIZE, and has continued to gain popularity with the group ever since.

Sources: Insight