Choi Yu-jin

Choi Yu-jin is a South Korean singer, dancer, and actress. She first made her mark in 2015 as a member of the girl group CLC under Cube Entertainment, then rebooted her career by finishing third on the survival show Girls Planet 999 and debuting as the leader of Kep1er in 2022. Known for her steady presence and veteran poise, she has become a recognizable figure in K-pop, balancing group promotions with acting and variety appearances.

As of 2026, Yu-jin continues to promote with Kep1er under WAKEONE, while also stepping into acting roles and variety shows. Her Instagram, where she shares casual updates with fans, has drawn around 309,000 followers. Fans appreciate her resilience and the way she has navigated a long career, from her early days with CLC to her current leadership role in Kep1er. [edit]

Choi Yu-jin was born on August 12, 1996, in Jeonju, a city in North Jeolla Province known for its rich culinary heritage. Growing up there, she developed an early interest in performing, though public details about her childhood remain scarce. She eventually moved to Seoul to train under Cube Entertainment, joining the rigorous trainee system that shapes most K-pop idols.

Her training years were intense, focusing on dance and vocal skills alongside other future CLC members. She was selected as part of CLC's original lineup, which debuted in March 2015. Before that debut, she had already spent considerable time honing her craft, preparing for the moment she would step onto the stage. [edit]

Yu-jin's career took off when CLC debuted in March 2015 with the single "Pepe." She remained with the group through its various comebacks, building a reputation as a reliable performer. In 2016, she made her acting debut in the Naver TV web drama Nightmare High, a horror-tinged series that gave her a chance to show another side of her talents.

After CLC's activities wound down, Yu-jin took a bold step by joining Mnet's survival show Girls Planet 999 in 2021. Her experience and stage presence carried her to a third-place finish in the finale, securing her spot in the debut lineup of Kep1er. She debuted as the group's leader in 2022, a role that highlighted her seniority and leadership skills.

With Kep1er, Yu-jin has continued to release music and tour, including the 2023 album Magic Hour. In 2024, she appeared in the film Unknown Untitled Unmastered, adding another film credit to her resume. She has also taken on variety work, including a 2026 appearance on the dating show You Are a Woman to Me 2, and performed ceremonial duties at a KBO baseball game in September 2025. [edit]

Yu-jin is often seen as a veteran figure in Kep1er, bringing years of experience from her CLC days. Media and fans alike describe her as hardworking and resilient, someone who successfully reinvented herself through a survival show. Her stage presence is marked by a quiet confidence, and she is known for her clean dance lines and steady vocals.

On social media, she comes across as warm and down-to-earth, regularly thanking fans for their support and sharing snippets of her daily life. Her fandom, which includes fans from both CLC and Kep1er, celebrates her journey and often highlights her growth as an artist. She is perceived as a mentor-like figure within Kep1er, guiding younger members with patience and care. [edit]

When Choi Yu-jin stepped onto the stage of Girls Planet 999, she carried with her the weight of seven years in CLC, a group that never quite caught fire. Her fans, known as Cheshire during those years, mobilized fiercely, and their votes helped her secure third place and a spot in Kep1er. That fanbase, now joined by Kep1ians, has no formal name of its own, but its loyalty is unmistakable. They have rallied around her through controversies, celebrated her leadership, and mourned with her when she missed a CLC 11th anniversary photoshoot in 2026, a moment that became a symbol of her dual identity.

As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Choi Yu-jin but she does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, neither the Global Top 1,000 nor any Top-100 scope list. That absence says less about her resonance than about the sheer scale of global fame; her steady presence across music, acting, and variety keeps her in the conversation, even without a numbered rank.[edit]

Yu-jin's Instagram handle, @utokki_u, plays on the Korean word for bunny, "tokki," which has become a personal brand of sorts. She finished third on Girls Planet 999, a result that surprised some fans who had expected her to rank higher given her experience. She is known for her calm demeanor on stage, often serving as a stabilizing presence for younger groupmates. Despite her long career, she has never been publicly linked to a real-life romantic partner. Her role as Kep1er's leader means she often takes charge during group activities, a responsibility she has handled since the group's debut. She also has a fanbase that spans both CLC and Kep1er eras, with many appreciating her journey through both groups.

One story fans still retell is the "villain edit" controversy from Girls Planet 999, where Mnet's editing made it seem as though contestant Fu Yaning harbored deep animosity toward Yu-jin. The backlash was so intense that Korean media questioned the network's tactics, and Yu-jin emerged as a sympathetic figure. Another moment that became lore: in 2026, Yu-jin was reportedly unable to join a CLC 11th anniversary photoshoot, and the bittersweet reunion left fans heartbroken, reinforcing her position caught between two eras.[edit]

Details about Yu-jin's family are not widely publicized. She has not shared extensive information about her parents or siblings in interviews or on social media. Like many idols, she keeps her family life private, focusing public attention on her career.

What is known is that she grew up in Jeonju before relocating to Seoul for training. Her family's support likely played a role in her pursuit of an entertainment career, but specific stories have not been shared publicly. [edit]

Yu-jin's career has been shaped by her connections with fellow Kep1er members, including Kim Chae-hyun and Huening Bahiyyih, with whom she has performed and appeared at events. She also shares a professional history with her former CLC groupmates, though they have since gone separate ways. Her agencies, Cube Entertainment and later WAKEONE, have played key roles in her journey. On the variety show You Are a Woman to Me 2, she worked alongside cast members Gu Ji-seung and Lee Si-won, though those relationships were part of the show's format. [edit]

Choi Yu-jin has kept her personal life largely private, and no confirmed real-life romantic relationships have been documented as of 2026. She has not been publicly linked to any partner outside of scripted or variety contexts.

In 2026, she appeared on KBS2's dating variety show You Are a Woman to Me 2, where she was paired with soccer coach Lee Si-won in a storyline that also involved fellow cast member Gu Ji-seung. Reports from July 2026 described a "love triangle" and "tense rivalry" between Yu-jin and Gu Ji-seung over Lee Si-won. However, by July 29, 2026, it was reported that her pairing with Lee Si-won, dubbed the "Zodiac Couple," failed to become final due to the age gap. These were show-based narratives, not real-life romances.

As of 2026, Yu-jin is reportedly single and focused on her career with Kep1er. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Choi Yu-jin's net worth at $3 million. Her income flows from multiple streams tied to her work with Kep1er, including album sales, streaming revenue, and concert tours. Group activities are a major source, as Kep1er continues to promote and release music. Acting also contributes, with roles in Nightmare High and the 2024 film Unknown Untitled Unmastered. Variety appearances, such as her 2026 stint on You Are a Woman to Me 2, add to her earnings. Endorsements and brand deals, though not extensively documented, likely supplement her income. Her Instagram following of over 300,000 offers opportunities for sponsored posts, though she keeps her feed mostly personal. Yu-jin's net worth has grown steadily since her Kep1er debut, reflecting the group's success and her expanding portfolio. While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, her long career and current activities suggest a stable financial position.[edit]

As of 2026, Choi Yu-jin has not won any individual awards. While CLC and Kep1er have received group honors, no solo accolades have been documented in available sources. [edit]