Choi Yoo-jung

Choi Yoo-jung is a South Korean singer and actress who first captured the public's attention as a contestant on Produce 101. She finished third on the show and became a core member of the project group I.O.I, one of the most influential K-pop acts of the mid-2010s. Today she balances group promotions with Weki Meki, solo music, and acting roles in dramas and films. Fans know her for her sharp dance skills, bright stage energy, and the genuine warmth she brings to fan interactions. As of 2026, she remains active across music and acting, with over 1.4 million Instagram followers and a loyal fanbase that has followed her since her trainee days.[edit]

Choi Yoo-jung grew up in Guri, a city just east of Seoul. Her father works in IT and her mother was a nurse, and she was raised as an only child. From elementary school she loved performing, taking part in school musicals and local dance competitions. She attended Seoul Gongyeong High School before transferring to Hanlim Multi Art School, graduating from the Practical Music department in 2018.

In 2015 she auditioned for Fantagio and was accepted as a trainee. Her training period was unusually short, less than a year, before she was selected to represent the agency on Mnet's survival show Produce 101. She entered the competition with minimal broadcast experience but quickly stood out. Her stage for Bang Bang with the group's dance team went viral inside the show's fandom, and her consistent high rankings proved she had the all-around skills to make the final lineup. On the finale night, she placed third, securing her spot in I.O.I.[edit]

Yoo-jung debuted with I.O.I on May 4, 2016, with the mini-album Chrysalis and the single Dream Girls. The group was an immediate success, selling over 100,000 copies of their debut album and topping Korean music charts. Over the next 11 months, I.O.I released hit singles like Very Very Very and Whatta Man, and Yoo-jung became known as one of the group's strongest dancers. When I.O.I disbanded in January 2017, she returned to Fantagio and debuted again on August 8, 2017, as a member of Weki Meki with the EP Weme and the single I Don't Like Your Girlfriend.

Alongside group work, she pursued acting. Her first role came in the 2020 web drama Matching! Boys Archery Club, followed by a supporting part in the 2022 crime thriller The King of Pigs. That same year she starred in the independent film The Girl on a Bulldozer, which premiered at the Busan International Film Festival. In September 2022 she released her first solo single album Sunflower, with the title track Sunflower (P.E.L), a bright, guitar-driven pop song that showed a more mature side. In 2026, I.O.I reunited for a 10th-anniversary comeback, dropping the single Wait on May 4 and performing together at a special fan concert.[edit]

Yoo-jung's public image combines youthful energy with professional reliability. On stage she is known for sharp, powerful dance moves that contrast with her bright smile, a duality fans love. Off stage she comes across as down-to-earth and approachable, often posting casual selfies and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram. Media profiles describe her as a hard worker who improved her vocals and acting steadily over the years. Her fandom, the Kiwis (shared with Weki Meki), organizes food support trucks during comebacks and charity donations in her name. She communicates with fans in a mix of Korean and English, and her social media voice is warm and personal, frequently ending posts with heart emojis.[edit]

Choi Yoo-jung's fandom is an enduring force, rooted in the collective loyalty of I.O.I and Weki Meki supporters. While she does not have a formally named individual fandom, her fanbase has demonstrated remarkable organizational power, most notably during I.O.I's 2026 reunion, which saw the group achieve a triple crown on music shows, a rare feat for a project group disbanded for nearly a decade. Fans organized streaming and voting campaigns that propelled the reunion's success, and Yoo-jung's emotional connection to the moment, including crying during practice, resonated deeply with supporters. Her candidness about revenue splits and her solo comeback after a four-year hiatus have also strengthened fan bonds.

In the global fame landscape, Choi Yoo-jung is currently EVALUATED_UNRANKED by iFANN's Global Fame Engine, meaning she does not hold a placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This status reflects a moment of transition, as her recent activities have kept her visible but not yet within the top tiers of global fame metrics. Her fanbase, though lacking a formal name, remains active and influential, particularly within the K-pop ecosystem.[edit]

Choi Yoo-jung has a pet cat named Monggu, often featured on her Instagram. She remains close to fellow I.O.I members Kim Se-jeong and Chungha. In 2017, she appeared on King of Mask Singer, performing "I Have a Lover" and surprising the panel. Her photo essay book, Yoojung's Diary, was published in 2022. Fans call her a "dance machine" for her precise choreography, a nickname from Produce 101.

One legendary moment from her career is her third-place finish on Produce 101, where she showcased versatility in dance, rap, and vocals. Another iconic story is the 2026 I.O.I reunion, which she described as "like a dream," crying during practice. The reunion's triple crown on music shows became a legendary achievement, proving the enduring power of the group's fandom.[edit]

Yoo-jung is an only child. Her father works in the IT industry and her mother worked as a nurse before retiring. She has spoken in interviews about being close to her parents and how they supported her decision to become a trainee at a young age. She currently lives in Seoul and has a pet cat named Monggu, who appears frequently on her social media. She has not publicly discussed plans for marriage or children, and as of 2026 she lives alone with her cat.[edit]

Yoo-jung is closely associated with her Produce 101 and I.O.I co-members, especially Kim Se-jeong and Chungha, who remain close friends. She has been with Fantagio since 2015 and continues to promote with Weki Meki, whose members include Ji Su-yeon, Elly, Sei, Lua, Rina, Lucy, and Doyeon.[edit]

Choi Yoo-jung has no publicly confirmed romantic relationships. She has never been linked to any partner in official media reports or by credible sources. As of 2026, she is single and has not been engaged or married. She has no children.[edit]

As a K-pop idol and actress, her income comes from multiple streams. She earns from music sales and streaming revenue generated by Weki Meki's releases and her solo single Sunflower. Acting roles in web dramas, television series like The King of Pigs, and the film The Girl on a Bulldozer also contribute. She has modeled for brands such as Skoolooks and Lens Town, and receives fees for guest appearances on variety shows like Knowing Bros and Weekly Idol. Group tours and fan meetings with Weki Meki add to her earnings, though exact figures are undisclosed. She has no known business ventures or real estate investments.[edit]