Choi Yu-na (Korean: 최유나; born October 4, 1997), better known by her stage nameYuju (유주), is a South Korean singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in 2015 as a member of the South Koreangirl groupGFriend and became known for her vocals, having participated in various singing competitions. After GFriend's exclusive contract ended, Yuju debuted as a solo artist with theextended play (EP)Rec. in 2022 and took creative control over her works.
Yuju was born Choi Yu-na on October 4, 1997 inGoyang, South Korea,[1][2] as the youngest of two daughters in her family. From an early age, Yuju enjoyed sports, dancing and singing. In her first year of middle school, Yuju won a singing contest encouragement award without formal training. Afterwards, Yuju attended a vocal academy to pursue singing[3] and learned to play guitar due to her interest in composing.[4] Yuju gained more performance experience in city and provincial competitions since her second year of middle school.[5]
In 2011, Yuju competed in the first season ofK-pop Star, where she was eliminated in the first round.[8] That same year, Yuju became a trainee atCube Entertainment, but she left after four months when her vocal project team was cut.[9][10] Yuju then trained for around a year and a half atLOEN Entertainment.[11][12] Concurrently, Yuju showcased her vocal improvement at music events, winning the Gyeonggi Arts Festival excellence award and grand prize in 2011 and 2012, respectively.[13] After leaving LOEN, Yuju won gold in the solo category of the 2013 Dong-A Student Song Festival, a nationwide[14] competition.[15] She eventually auditioned for and signed withSource Music in 2014, totaling around three years of training at agencies.[16]
In January 2015, Yuju made her debut as a member ofGFriend with the lead single "Glass Bead" from EPSeason of Glass.[17] Her stage name, given by the CEO, signifies "owner" and has the added meaning of being an owner of powerful singing ability.[5]
In April 2015, Yuju andLoco released "Spring Is Gone by Chance" for the soundtrack of South Korean televisiondramaA Girl Who Sees Smells.[18] The song placed first on theMusic Bank OST chart for ten consecutive weeks,[citation needed] won Best OST at the2015Melon Music Awards,[19] and was the fourteenth best-performing single in South Korea that year.[20] An acoustic version of the song was also released.[21] Moreover, "Spring Is Gone by Chance" regularly re-enters domestic music charts in spring, establishing itself as a seasonal song.[22] The soundtrack later achieved 100 million streams and 2.5 million downloads onGaon.[23]
In July 2015, Yuju drew interest on MBC'sKing of Mask Singer for her singing prowess as the youngest contestant at the time. Soon after, GFriend released their second single "Me Gustas Tu".[24][25] During the promotions of the song, a fan-taken video of members falling eight times while performing on a slippery stage went viral, gaining international attention. The group was praised for their professionalism, especially Yuju, who suffered a twisted finger during the performance.[26][27][28][29] The event boosted the group's popularity, and Gfriend continued to see commercial success as their next song "Rough" won 15 times onmusic show programs.[30]
Yuju recorded "Billy & The Brave Guys" for the soundtrack of the animated movieChicken Hero, which was released on February 18, 2016.[31] In March 2016, she collaborated with Sunyoul ofUp10tion for a song called "Cherish".[32]
In October 2017, Yuju andWheesung were declared as the final winners of SBS'Fantastic Duo 2 stars special, performing their winning piece "Even Thought of Marriage".[33][34] She was the first and only K-pop female idol to win on the said television show's special.[35] Following that, Yuju's collaboration song with Jihoo ofIZ titled "Heart Signal" was released.[36]
In June 2018, Yuju released her first solo digital single "Love Rain" featuringSuran.[37]
In May 2021, Yuju became the host and protagonist of web showYuju is Halli Queen, as the defending champion in Halli Galli.[38] On May 5, Yuju served as MC for the KBS Korean Children's Song Contest.[39] On May 22, Yuju left Source Music upon the end of GFriend's exclusive contract.[40]
2021–present: New agency, solo debut withRec., andO
On September 1, 2021, Yuju signed an exclusive contract withKonnect Entertainment, following GFriend's dissolution and departure from Source Music.[41] On November 24, Yuju released a remake ofJo Sung-mo's "By Your Side", aLovers in Paris soundtrack hit, as part of the "Cyworld BGM 2021" project.[42]
Yuju debuted as a soloist on January 18, 2022, with the extended playRec. and its lead single "Play" (놀이).[43] In July 2022, music production and publishing company MZMC Inc. Korea shared that Yuju joined the team, having written Yurina Kawaguchi's "Look at Me" Korean version lyrics.[44] On July 28, 2022, she released her second digital single "Evening" featuring rapperBig Naughty.[45] From August to December 2022, Yuju was a fixedradio DJ atKBS Cool FM'sStation Z.[46] In December 2022, it was revealed Yuju sang the main theme song forLotte World'sMagic Matches and the Dreaming Night, a stage adaptation of "The Little Match Girl".[47]
On February 13, 2023, it was announced Yuju would be releasing her second extended play titledO,[48] alongside the lead single "Without U" on March 7.[49] On August 16, 2023, Yuju released the single "Rewind" as part of the +memory project.[50] On September 8, 2023, it was announced that Yuju would be releasing her new single "Dalala" on September 20.[51] Yuju decided not to renew her contract with Konnect after it expired mid-April 2024.[52] In late 2024, Yuju became a mentor for the Korean-Taiwanese boy group survival programScool.[53]
In early 2025, Yuju participated in GFriend's tenth anniversary reunion, which included the single albumSeason of Memories andconcert tour.[54] On March 12, Yuju signed an exclusive contract withAt Area.[55] On August 12, Yuju released her third extended playIn Bloom, with the lead single "Reply".[56]
Yuju didn't aim to become a singer-songwriter professionally at first. She started writing lyrics and composing for her own satisfaction by writing notes, recording melodies on her phone, and experimenting with self-recording in a studio.[57] After signing as a soloist in 2021, Yuju said her deeper involvement in music-making came naturally, with encouragement from company employees and composers. She co-wrote each song on her solo debut EPRec.[58][59] and was the sole lyricist on her second EPO.[60] A major turning point was Yuju's digital single "Dalala," her first lead single as the main composer and sole lyricist. The appeal of creating "Dalala" influenced Yuju's career direction: "I want my songs to go through my hands. I want to be an artist who is not too dependent."[61][62]
Yuju explained she actively writes lyrics since "singing is ultimately about putting sound into words." She tries not to differentiate lyrics from her usual way of speaking.[57] To draft diverse lyrics, Yuju reads books and meets people to understand their life stories.[63] Yuju's songwriting is also inspired by personal experiences. Her debut lead single "Play" reflected her mixed emotions at the time of leaving her previous company.[10] "Dalala" was inspired by the casual way she hummed on a liberating night stroll.[61]
As GFriend's main vocalist, Yuju received attention for her powerful singing. For her solo activities, she worked on developing other aspects of her singing ability, focusing on delivering lyrics in a relatable way, rather than vocal range.[64]
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^유주(여자친구) [Yuju (GFriend)].Hanryu Times (in Korean). July 8, 2021. RetrievedOctober 24, 2024.
^여자친구① 예린, 유주의 이야기 [GFriend ① Yerin and Yuju's story].Ize (in Korean). March 2, 2015.Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. RetrievedOctober 24, 2024.
^ab솔로 뮤지션으로 첫발을 디딘 유주의 이야기 [The Story Of Yuju, Who Took Her First Steps As A Solo Musician].W Korea (in Korean). July 28, 2022.Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. RetrievedOctober 30, 2024.
^[Y기획②] 멤버를 알면 '진짜' 여자친구가 보인다(동생 라인) [[Y Planning②] If you know the members, you can see the 'real' GFriend (younger sister line)].YTN (in Korean). July 28, 2018. RetrievedOctober 17, 2024 – viaNaver.
^평균나이 18살 여자친구 "인생의 위기와 기쁨이요?" (인터뷰) [Average age 18-year-old GFriend "Life's crisis and joy?" (Interview)].Newsen (in Korean). August 16, 2016.Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. RetrievedOctober 24, 2024.
^여자친구 유주 "나는 원래 음악을 해야 되는 사람" [GFriend Yuju "I'm the type of person who should be doing music"].Edaily (in Korean). February 3, 2015. RetrievedOctober 30, 2024 – viaNaver.
^2013년도 동아학생가요제 - DBS.YouTube (Video). DIMA DBS. July 24, 2014. Event occurs at 1:54:25.Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. RetrievedOctober 24, 2024.
^여.친.소② 여자친구 "대중의 좋은 친구가 되고 싶어요" (인터뷰) [Introducing GFriend ② GFriend "I want to be a good friend to the public" (Interview)].Ten Asia (in Korean). February 14, 2015. RetrievedOctober 17, 2024 – viaNaver.
^여자친구 유주, '냄보소' OST 도전 '로꼬와 호흡' [GFriend Yuju, 'A Girl Who Sees Smells' OST Challenge 'Breathing with Loco'].The Korea Herald (in Korean). April 8, 2015.Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. RetrievedOctober 26, 2024.
^우연히 봄 (Special Edition) [Spring Is Gone by Chance (Special Edition)] (in Korean). NHN Bugs. Donuts Music Co., Ltd. May 20, 2015. RetrievedOctober 26, 2024 – viaMelon.
^"돌아온 벚꽃 연금"...로꼬X유주→에릭남X웬디, 역주행 앞둔 봄캐럴 ["Cherry Blossom Pension Returns"... Loco X Yuju → Eric Nam X Wendy, Spring Carol Ahead of Reverse Run].Xports News (in Korean). April 6, 2019. RetrievedOctober 26, 2024.
^ab'여자친구' 유주, '복면가왕' 역대 최연소... 아이돌 보컬 계보 잇는다 ['GFRIEND's Yuju, 'King of Mask Singer' youngest ever... Continues the lineage of idol vocalists].Sports Donga (in Korean). July 20, 2015.Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. RetrievedOctober 26, 2024.
^여자친구 유주 "'복면가왕'? 소중한 경험..검색어 캡처" [GFriend Yuju "'King of Mask Singer'? A precious experience..Search term capture"].Osen (in Korean). July 26, 2015. RetrievedOctober 26, 2024.
^"음색 완벽조합"...'판듀2' 火 휘성·얼음 유주, 컬래버 하죠 ["Perfect vocal combination"...'Fantastic Duo 2' Fire Wheesung and Ice Yuju, let's collaborate].The Korea Herald (in Korean). October 17, 2017.Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. RetrievedOctober 26, 2024.
^abSon, Bong-seok (May 3, 2021).KBS '창작동요대회' 어린이날 방송, 유주·나태주 진행 [KBS'Korean Children's Song Contest ' broadcast on Children's Day, Yuju and Na Taejoo] (in Korean).Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. RetrievedMay 6, 2021.
^Lee, Jae-hoon (January 3, 2022).여자친구 유주, 솔로 데뷔...18일 'REC.' 발매 [GFriend Yuju, solo debut...18th 'REC.' Release].Newsis (in Korean).Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 3, 2022.
^Kim, Myung-mi (February 27, 2023).'컴백 D-10' 유주, 트랙리스트 공개...타이틀곡은 'Without U' ['Comeback D-10' Yuju, track list revealed...The title song is 'Without U'] (in Korean). Newsen.Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 27, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Hwang, Mi-hyun (September 8, 2023).유주, 20일 컴백 확정...6개월만의 신곡 '따라랏' [Yuju comeback confirmed for the 20th..."Dalala", a new song in 6 months] (in Korean).News1.Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 9, 2023 – viaNaver.
^[단독]유주·위댐 결별→강다니엘도 떠난다..껍데기만 남은 커넥트 폐업 [종합] [[Exclusive] Yuju and WeDem part → Kang Daniel is also leaving.. Konnect shuts down, leaving only a shell [Summary]].Star News (in Korean). May 21, 2024.Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. RetrievedMay 27, 2024 – viaNaver.
^ab'SCOOL', MC 이특→멘토 최영준·은혁·이홍기·유주..최강 라인업 확정 ['SCOOL', MC Leeteuk → Mentor Choi Youngjun, Eunhyuk, Lee Hongki, Yuju..Strongest lineup confirmed].Star News (in Korean). August 30, 2024.Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. RetrievedSeptember 1, 2024 – viaNaver.
^여자친구 유주, 앳에어리어와 전속계약..현아와 한솥밥 [공식] [GFRIEND Yuju, enters exclusive contract with At Area.. under one roof with HyunA [Official]].OSEN (in Korean). March 12, 2025. RetrievedMarch 12, 2025 – viaNaver.
^유주 인터뷰 [Yuju Interview].IZM (in Korean). February 15, 2024. Archived fromthe original on February 22, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 10, 2025.
^유주 "가창력 1순위는 와닿는 가사..여자친구 완전체? 언젠가는"[인터뷰③] [Yuju "The most important thing about singing is the lyrics that touch the heart.. GFriend as a whole? Someday" [Interview ③]].Star News (in Korean). September 20, 2023.Archived from the original on January 11, 2025. RetrievedJanuary 11, 2025 – viaNaver.
^2022년 01월 Album Chart [January 2022 Album Chart].Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived fromthe original on February 10, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 10, 2022.
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2016년 12주차 Download Chart [Week 12 of 2016 Download Chart].Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). March 13–19, 2016. Archived fromthe original on April 2, 2016. RetrievedMarch 24, 2016.
2016년 13주차 Download Chart [Week 13 of 2016 Download Chart].Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). March 20–26, 2016. Archived fromthe original on April 9, 2016. RetrievedMarch 31, 2016.
2016년 14주차 Download Chart [Week 14 of 2016 Download Chart].Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). March 27 – April 2, 2016. Archived fromthe original on December 27, 2020. RetrievedApril 7, 2016.
2016년 15주차 Download Chart [Week 15 of 2016 Download Chart].Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). April 3–9, 2016. Archived fromthe original on December 27, 2020. RetrievedApril 15, 2016.
^2017년 43주차 BGM Chart.Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). October 22–28, 2017. Archived fromthe original on June 21, 2021. RetrievedJune 21, 2021.
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2017년 50주차 Download Chart [Week 50 of 2017 Download Chart].Gaon Music Chart. December 10–16, 2017. Archived fromthe original on December 27, 2020. RetrievedDecember 21, 2017.
^Cumulative Sales for "Spring Is Gone by Chance (Acoustic Ver.)":
2015년 22주차 Download Chart [Week 22 of 2015 Download Chart].Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). May 17–23, 2015. Archived fromthe original on May 28, 2015. RetrievedMarch 4, 2018.
^2018년 52주차 BGM Chart.Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). December 23–29, 2018. Archived fromthe original on June 21, 2021. RetrievedJune 21, 2021.
^2021년 23주차 BGM Chart.Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). May 30 – June 5, 2021. Archived fromthe original on June 10, 2021. RetrievedJune 21, 2021.
^남아있어 (경찰수업 OST Part.5) [Remaining (Police Class OST Part.5)] (in Korean). Kakao Entertainment. Flex M. August 30, 2021.Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. RetrievedAugust 30, 2021 – viaMelon.
^유주는 할리퀸. 뉴프 NEW-NORMAL Project. July 4, 2021.Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. RetrievedApril 6, 2023 – viaYouTube.
^의령군, '2024년 청소년 세대공감 어울림 축제' 개최 [Uiryeong County, '2024 Youth Generation Harmony Festival' held].Metro (in Korean). October 9, 2024. RetrievedOctober 17, 2024.
^Ahn, Byung-gil (August 26, 2022).하트드림 어워즈' 강다니엘 3관왕-임영웅 트롯 인기상[종합] ['Heart Dream Awards' Kang Daniel 3 crowns - Lim Young-woong Trot Popularity Award [General]] (in Korean).Sports Kyunghyang.Archived from the original on August 27, 2022. RetrievedAugust 27, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Saet-byeol (February 11, 2023).'한터뮤직어워즈' 개막, 김호중 2관왕으로 첫날 장식(종합) ['Hanteo Music Awards' opens, decorates the first day with Kim Ho-joong's 2 crowns (comprehensive)] (in Korean). The Fact.Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 11, 2023 – viaNaver.
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