Choi Yu-jin (singer)

In this Korean name, the family name is Choi.

Choi Yu-jin
Yujin in September 2024
Born (1996-08-12) August 12, 1996 (age 28)
Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea[1]
EducationHanlim Multi Art School
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2013–present
Labels
Member of
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
최유진
Hanja
Revised RomanizationChoi Yu-jin
McCune–ReischauerChoi Yuchin
Signature

Choi Yu-jin (Korean: 최유진; born August 12, 1996), known mononymously as Yujin, is a South Korean singer and actress. Originally debuting in 2015 as a member of the South Korean girl group CLC, she is a member and leader of Kep1er after finishing in third place in the final episode of the survival show Girls Planet 999. She began her acting career in 2016 in a supporting role in the Naver TV web drama, Nightmare High.

Early life

Yujin was born on August 12, 1996, in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea.[1][2] She attended high school at Hanlim Multi Art School and graduated in February 2015.[2]

Career

Pre-debut

She is the longest-serving trainee among CLC members, having been a trainee for over 4 years prior to her debut in 2015.[2]

As a trainee, Yujin created and taught BtoB's Ilhoon the 'Gwiyomi Player' aegyo, which he would later popularise on the South Korean Idol variety show, Weekly Idol. In 2013, South Korean singer, Hari released "Gwiyomi Song" inspired by the gesture Yujin created.[3]

In 2013, Yujin collaborated with then-Cube artist and Beast member Yang Yo-seob in "Perfume" which was released on April 30 as part of Cube Entertainment's first "Voice Project". She was credited under the pre-debut group Cube Girls.[4]

In 2014, alongside three of the soon-to-be CLC members, Sorn, Seungyeon and Yeeun, Yujin appeared in BtoB's "Beep Beep" music video. In the same year, all five of the original members of CLC appeared in G.NA's "G.NA's Secret" music video and participated in promotional activities as backing dancers.[5] In 2015, the quintet did a voluntary street busking performances to help children with developmental disabilities, attracting attention as a warm 'Hongdae idol' as part of their pre-debut activities.[2][6] They released a self-composed song "You're My Love" (Korean: 유어 마이 러브) on March 13, 2013, through the online music site Melon and the official YouTube channel.[7]

2015–2020: Debut with CLC and acting debut

Main article: CLC (group)
Yujin at MTV Asia Music Stage in September 2016.

On March 13, 2015, Cube Entertainment released the profile information and images of Yujin as the fourth member of CLC following Yeeun, Sorn, and Seungyeon, through their official social media. In Cube's words: "Choi Yu-jin, who has all the visual elements to be called a 'heavenly idol', aims to become the strongest idol's 'proportioner' with an unusual physical condition."[citation needed] She was introduced as a vocalist and dancer of the group and can cross various genres such as belly dance, popping, rocking, and house dance with a high understanding and expressiveness of dance performance. Along with member Seungyeon, she is considered to be one of CLC's 'top two dancers'.[2] Yujin and fellow CLC members were also chosen as the new model for a Korea's clothing brand, SMART Uniform, alongside Got7 and B1A4.[8][9]

Yujin made her debut as a member of CLC on May 19, 2015, with the release of the single "Pepe" off the five-track EP First Love, of which all the proceeds were donated to children with developmental disabilities.[10]

On August 17, 2015, she joined the cast of Real Man for the third season's female soldier special as the youngest member among the ten entertainers including rapper Jessi, Japanese broadcaster Sayuri Fujita and former national tennis player Jeon Mi-ra.[11][12] She gained wider recognition after joining the show, where she drew attention over her small face and slender body frame, measuring 162 cm and 42 kg, taking first place in push-ups despite her skinny arms that couldn't even measure blood pressure.[13][14][15] Later, she went viral with the caption "Choi Yu-jin's 3-stage transformation into a female soldier" from a 'pretty and fresh girl' to a 'dignified baby soldier' for which she received the nickname "Baby Soldier" and "Patriotic Idol" from soldiers of the Armed Forces and viewers of the show.[16][17] Yujin's appearance on the show ended in late September 2015.[18] At the end of the year, Yujin shared a stage with cast member Jessi and Kim Hyun-sook performing S.E.S' "I'm Your Girl" at the 2015 MBC Entertainment Awards.[19]

In 2016, Yujin made her acting debut in the Naver TV web drama Nightmare High as Cheon Yoo-na.[20] The same year, she was cast as one of the female leads in Green Fever, a prequel to Lily Fever (2015). She plays the role of a rookie actor who has emerged as the nation's little sister and is the only actress affiliated with Jin Entertainment.[21][22] She worked with Kim Hye-jun and Jung Yeon-joo.[23]

2021–present: Girls Planet 999, debut with Kep1er, and CLC cease activities

Main articles: Girls Planet 999 and Kep1er
Yujin in June 2022.

In 2021, Yujin made a cameo in the Netflix drama, So Not Worth It. In June 2021, Yujin joined the Mnet survival show Girls Planet 999 as one of the program's 33 Korean contestants.[24][25][26] She consistently ranked in the Top 9 as the show progressed and ultimately finished in 3rd place, allowing her to debut with the winning group, Kep1er, as the leader.[27][28]

On December 3, 2021, it was revealed that Yujin would be starring in the web drama Pumpkin Time which premiered December 14, 2021.[29] On May 20, 2022, Cube Entertainment announced that CLC had ceased being active.[30]

On May 30, 2024, Yujin was confirmed to be in the lineup of Kep1er members who had renewed their contract with WakeOne Entertainment.[31]

Discography

For Choi's discography with CLC and Kep1er, see CLC discography and Kep1er discography.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[32]
Collaborations
"Perfume"
with Yang Yo-seob (as Cube Girls) 		2013 22 Non-album single
"Follow your dreams"
with United Cube (U-CUBE) 		2018 — — Non-album single
Soundtrack appearances
"See U There"
with Choi Byung-chan and Xion (Oneus) 		2024 — — Unknown Untitled Unmastered OST
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Songwriting credits

Year Artist Song Album Lyrics Music
2015 CLC (pre-debut)[7] "You're My Love" Non-album single Yes Yes

Filmography

For Choi's filmography with CLC and Kep1er, see CLC filmography and Kep1er filmography.

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 Nightmare High Cheon Yoo-na Guest role in Ep 10 [20]
2017 Green Fever Yoo Jin [23]
2021 Her Bucket List Lee Sae-hyun Guest role in Ep 4
2021 So Not Worth It Han Hyun-ah Guest role in Ep 9 & 10 [34]
2021–2022 Pumpkin Time Han Su [29]
2024 Unknown Untitled Unmastered [UUU] Seo Do-ah [35]

Television shows

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Real Man Cast member Season 2, Female Edition 3 as Poison Spider Unit [11]
2019 King of Mask Singer Contestant as "Star Candy" Episode 223 [36]
2021 Girls Planet 999 Contestant Survival show that determined Kep1er members
Finished 3rd 		[24]
2022 King of Mask Singer Panelist Episodes 347–348 [37]

Music video appearances

Year Artist/Band Title Ref.
2014 BtoB "Beep Beep" "Beep Beep" on YouTube
G.NA "Secret" [5]
2016 Johan Kim "Y.O.U" "Y.O.U" on YouTube

Awards and nominations

For Choi's accolades with CLC and Kep1er, see List of awards and nominations received by CLC and List of awards and nominations received by Kep1er.
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
MBC Entertainment Awards 2015 Best Teamwork Award Real Man Season 2 – Female Edition 3 Won [38]
Korea First Brand Awards 2025 2024 Female Acting Idol Unknown Untitled Unmastered [UUU] Nominated

Notes

  1. ^ a b As a member of Kep1er only.

References

  1. ^ a b "최유진". Cinefox (씨네폭스) (in Korean). Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Moon, Wan-sik (March 13, 2015). 큐브 新걸그룹 씨엘씨 '비율종결자' 최유진 프로필 공개 [Cube's new girl group CLC's 'Ratio Finalist' Choi Yoo-jin's profile revealed]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  3. ^ Who started the gwiyomi trend?, retrieved May 10, 2022
  4. ^ Jeong, Ji-won (April 29, 2013). 큐브엔터 비밀병기, 큐브걸스 베일 벗는다 [Cube Entertainment's secret weapon, Cube Girls, takes off the veil]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Jeong, Ji-wang (March 3, 2015). 큐브 新걸그룹 CLC 론칭 "3월 중 데뷔, 막바지 단계" [Cube's new girl group CLC launch "Debut in March, final stage"]. XportsNews (in Korean). Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  6. ^ Lainey (March 11, 2015). "#CLC: Meet CUBE's New Girl Group Via The "CLC Love Chemistry" Documentary". Hype.My. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Shin, Mi-rae (March 13, 2015). 씨엘씨(CLC), 15일 기부 자작곡 '유어 마이 러브' 홍대 버스킹… '훈훈해' [CLC, donated on the 15th, self-composed song 'Your My Love' busking in Hongdae... 'It's heartwarming']. TopStarNews (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  8. ^ "SMART school uniform – Model History". smartzzang. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  9. ^ Jeong, Seon-young (April 9, 2015). 스마트학생복, B1A4·갓세븐·씨엘씨 총출동한 하복 광고 영상 공개 [Smart school uniform, summer clothes advertisement video released by B1A4, GOT7, and CLC]. Ajou Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved July 25, 2021.
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  12. ^ Kim, Ji-ha (August 20, 2015). '진짜사나이 여군특집3' 씨엘씨 최유진, 각 잡힌 거수경례 [TD포토] ['Real Men Female Soldier Special 3' CLC's Choi Yoo-jin, salutes each caught [TD photo]]. TV Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  13. ^ Kim, Young-jin (August 31, 2015). 진짜사나이 최유진, 말라서 혈압 측정도 안돼…김현숙은 너무 낮은 몸무게에 재검 요청? [Real man Choi Yoo-jin, can't even measure blood pressure because he's so skinny... Kim Hyun-sook asked for a re-examination because of her weight too low?]. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  14. ^ Kim, Hyun-rok (August 30, 2015). 진'진짜-여군특집' CLC유진, 42kg에 역대최고 소두 '눈길' ['Real-Female Army Special' CLC Eugene, 42kg, the best small head ever 'eye glance']. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  15. ^ 최유진에 폭풍관심, 그녀는 누구? [A storm of interest in Choi Yoo-jin, who is she?]. TV Report (in Korean). August 31, 2015. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  16. ^ '진짜사나이' 최유진, 연예인-후보생-여군에 걸친 3단 변신 '시선집중'.."늠름한 아기병사" ['Real Man' Choi Yoo-jin, Celebrity-Candidate-Female Military Transformation 'Focus on Eyes'.."Dignified Baby Soldier"]. Segye Ilbo (in Korean). August 31, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  17. ^ Kim, Young-jin (August 26, 2015). '진짜 사나이-여군특집3' 씨엘씨 최유진, 국군장병들에 직접 손편지 '훈훈' ['Real Man - Female Army Special 3' CLC Choi Yoo-jin, a handwritten letter 'Hun-Hun' to the Armed Forces soldiers]. Asia Today (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  18. ^ Kim, Joo-geun (September 20, 2015). '진짜사나이' 최유진, 퇴소식에서 눈물…"엄마처럼 대해줘서 감사하다" ['Real Man' Choi Yoo-jin, tears at the exit ceremony... "Thank you for treating me like a mother"]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  19. ^ Shin, Hye-yeon (December 29, 2015). 'MBC연예대상', 복면 축하무대부터 너스레 수상소감까지 (종합) ['MBC Entertainment Awards', from the masked celebration stage to the generous acceptance speech (comprehensive)]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Kim, Ye-na (March 10, 2016). '악몽선생', 김소현·민혁·학진 등 '주목할 만한 신인' 대거 출격 ['Nightmare Teacher', 'Notable Rookies' such as Kim So-hyun, Min-hyuk, Hak-jin, etc.]. MBN (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  21. ^ Song, Hyun-sook (April 3, 2017). '씨엘씨' 유진, 연기 첫발 ['CLC' Yujin, first step in acting]. Kookbang DEMA (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  22. ^ Song, Hyun-sook (April 13, 2017). 연기 도전 부담 반, 걱정 반...역시 경험해보는게 중요하네요 [Half the burden of the acting challenge, half the worry... It's important to experience it as well]. Kookbang DEMA (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Kim, Yoon-jung (November 21, 2016). [단독] CLC(씨엘씨) 최유진, '대세는 백합' 감독 신작 웹드라마 '내일부터 우리는' 출연 [[Exclusive] CLC (CLC) Choi Yoo-jin to appear in the new web drama 'From Tomorrow on We' directed by 'The Trend is Lily']. Sports Q (in Korean). Retrieved July 26, 2021.
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  25. ^ Gladys, Yeoh (June 7, 2021). "CLC's Yujin reportedly participating in upcoming talent competition 'Girls Planet 999'". NME.
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  32. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  33. ^ Cumulative sales for "Perfume:
  34. ^ Berlian, Indry Annisa (June 24, 2021). "Moodbooster, 10 Momen Lucu di So Not Worth Ini Dijamin Bikin Ngakak!" [Moodbooster, These 10 Funny Moments in So Not Worth Guaranteed to Make You Laugh!]. IBN Times (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  35. ^ "[UUU] 영혼 체인지😇 에 타임 리프⏱️까지 곁들인 뮤직 웹드라마 도착!" (in Korean). October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  36. ^ Oh, Ji-won (October 6, 2015). '복면가왕' 건빵 2R 진출, 별사탕=CLC 최유진 ['King of Mask Singer' biscuit 2R advance, Star Candy = CLC Choi Yoo-jin]. TV Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  37. ^ Kim Hye-young (March 11, 2022). "'복면가왕' 아이키, 남다른 입담+예리한 눈썰미+본업 천재 면모 뽐내". iMBC News (in Korean). Retrieved January 24, 2023.
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