Exy

Exy is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, and actress best known as the leader and main rapper of the K-pop girl group WJSN (Cosmic Girls). Born Chu So-jung on November 6, 1995, in Busan, she debuted with the group in 2016 under Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment. Exy has written lyrics for many of WJSN's hit songs, including 'Secret,' 'I Wish,' and 'Save Me, Save You,' and has pursued a solo music career with digital singles like 'Love Therapy' and 'Perfect.' She has also appeared in television dramas such as The King's Affection and Business Proposal, demonstrating her range as a performer. With over 1.2 million Instagram followers, she maintains a strong connection with fans, known collectively as UJUNG.[edit]

Exy grew up in the Geumjeong District of Busan with her older brother. She developed an early passion for hip-hop, writing lyrics and rapping during her teenage years. After attending high school in Busan, she moved to Seoul to chase her dream of becoming a singer. Her first major break came in 2015 when she competed on the first season of the hip-hop survival show Unpretty Rapstar. Though she did not win, her sharp rap delivery and songwriting ability caught the attention of Starship Entertainment. She was recruited as a trainee and joined the pre-debut project group that would become WJSN, training for less than a year before her debut.[edit]

Exy debuted as the leader and main rapper of WJSN on February 25, 2016, with the extended play Would You Like?. She contributed lyrics to many early tracks, helping shape the group's cosmic concept. The group's breakthrough came with the single 'Secret' in 2016, followed by hits like 'I Wish' (2017) and 'Save Me, Save You' (2018). Exy's songwriting credits grew to over 30 songs, including B-sides and title tracks. In 2020, she released her first solo digital single, 'Love Therapy,' and followed with 'Perfect' in 2021. She ventured into acting with a role in the web drama My Mister (2018), then appeared in the historical drama The King's Affection (2021) as a court lady. In 2022, she had a supporting role in the hit drama Business Proposal. As of 2026, she continues to balance group activities with individual acting and songwriting projects.[edit]

Exy is known for her charismatic stage presence and sharp rap delivery, commanding attention as WJSN's leader. Offstage, she projects a warm, caring image, often looking after her groupmates and sharing behind-the-scenes moments on social media. Her content tone blends professional promotion of group activities with personal posts featuring her dog, daily life, and reflective captions. Fans appreciate her intelligence and leadership, frequently praising her songwriting contributions. The official fandom name for WJSN is UJUNG, and there is no separate individual fandom for Exy.[edit]

Exy's fanbase is the UJUNG, the official fandom of WJSN, a name that combines 'U' and 'jeong' (affection). While there's no separate official name for her individual fans, UJUNG have long championed her as the group's leader and main rapper, often citing her songwriting credits as a point of pride. The fandom is known for its disciplined streaming and voting culture, which came to the forefront during Queendom 2 in 2022, where WJSN's 'concept mastery' and fan mobilization propelled them to the finals.

In the broader fame landscape, Exy, as of August 2026, has been evaluated by iFANN's Global Fame Engine but does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, neither the Global Top 1,000 nor any Top-100 scope list. This status reflects a level of recognition that, while substantial within the K-pop sphere, hasn't yet translated into a position on these particular charts.

Her fanbase, while dedicated, has no formal name beyond UJUNG, and fans often refer to themselves as 'EXY stans' within that community. Exy's engagement with fans is well-documented, from her warm demeanor at fan signs to her frequent V Live broadcasts. In interviews, she has expressed deep gratitude for UJUNG's support, describing them as family, a sentiment that has only deepened over the years.[edit]

Exy is credited as a songwriter on over 30 songs, including many of WJSN's B-sides. She is a close friend of fellow rapper Yook Ji-dam, whom she met on Unpretty Rapstar. She has a pet dog named Monggu. Her stage name comes from the first letters of her English name 'E' and 'X,' combined with 'Y' for 'young.' She cites CL and Tymee as musical influences. She was a trainee for less than a year before debuting.

One of the most retold stories among fans is the 2022 car accident involving Exy and SeolA, which, while minor, highlighted the group's bond and drew an outpouring of support from UJUNG. Another legendary moment is WJSN's 'Concept Master' run on Queendom 2 in 2022, where Exy's leadership and stage presence were central to the group's success, a story newcomers are often told first. The 2018 lineup restructuring, which left the group as nine members, also cemented Exy's role as a stabilizing force during a challenging period.[edit]

Exy has an older brother but has not publicly shared their names or occupations. She grew up in Busan with her family. As of 2026, she is not married and has no children. She lives with her pet dog Monggu.[edit]

Exy is closely associated with her WJSN groupmates, including Bona, Soobin, Luda, Dawon, Eunseo, Yeoreum, Dayoung, Yeonjung, and Seola. She has collaborated with rapper Yook Ji-dam and producers Full8loom and e.one. Her acting roles have connected her with casts of The King's Affection and Business Proposal.[edit]

Exy has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships as of 2026. She has maintained a private personal life, with no credible reports of dating, engagements, or marriages. Her focus remains on her career and group activities.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Exy's net worth at $2 million. Her income primarily comes from WJSN's album sales, concert tours, and merchandise revenue. She also earns from individual songwriting royalties, acting fees for web dramas and television appearances, and brand endorsements as a member of WJSN. Social media monetization through Instagram and YouTube adds to her earnings. Her net worth has grown steadily since debut, reflecting her expanding solo activities.[edit]