Choi Yoo-jung

Choi Yoo-jung (; born November 12, 1999), known mononymously as Yoojung, is a South Korean singer and actress signed under Fantagio. She debuted as a member of I.O.I in May 2016 after achieving third place in the 2016 survival program Produce 101. In January 2017, I.O.I officially disbanded after eleven months of promotion. I.O.I briefly returned for a 10 year comeback in 2026. Following disbandment, she returned to her respective agency and eventually debuted with Weki Meki in August 2017. Choi debuted as a solo artist with the single album Sunflower in September 2022.

Early life and education Choi Yoo-jung was born in Guri, South Korea on November 12, 1999 as an only child. She joined Fantagio and trained for four years and seven months under the company before joining Mnet's girl group survival show Produce 101 in 2016 wherein she ended up debuting as a member of I.O.I. She attended Guri Girls' High School but eventually transferred to School of Performing Arts Seoul along with fellow I.O.I and Weki Meki member Kim Do-yeon after debuting due to their promotional activities.

Career 2016: Produce 101 and I.O.I

In January 2016, Choi joined Produce 101 along with Kim Do-yeon and three other Fantagio trainees with the hopes of debuting in an eleven-member girl group which would promote for a year under YMC Entertainment. Choi initially gained popularity for being chosen by vote as the center for the show's theme song "Pick Me", which had its music video premiere a month before the first show aired on the December 17, 2015 episode of M Countdown. Both Choi and Kim rose to high ranks during the program and eventually placed 3rd and 8th respectively in the show's finale on April 1, 2016, which allowed them to debut as members of I.O.I. On May 4, 2016, I.O.I released their debut single "Dream Girls" which had its rap parts penned by Choi and Im Na-young. Both members also wrote the lyrics for the EP's intro track "I.O.I". The group also promoted as a seven-member unit which Choi was also a part of with Kim, releasing the single "Whatta Man" on August 9, 2016. As part of I.O.I, Choi also released an OST with the unit and also collaborated with fellow members Chungha, Jeon Somi and fellow Produce 101 contestant Ki Hui-hyeon for the digital single "Flower, Wind and You". The song charted at number 42 on the Gaon Digital Chart. She also appeared in the music video of her label-mate ASTRO's song "Breathless" which was released on July 1, 2016. In November 2016, Choi joined the cast of Mnet's music variety show Golden Tambourine. She then released the single "Rise and Fall" together with Yoo Se-yoon, Shim Hyung-tak and Jo Kwon as part of the show's official soundtrack.

2017–2019: Debut with Weki Meki and WJMK

After I.O.I parted ways on January 29, 2017, and ended their contract with YMC Entertainment, Choi and Kim Do-yeon filmed a reality show in the United States titled Dodaeng's Diary in LA which aired on TVING. Months later, Fantagio announced their plans to debut a new girl group, which they later revealed would be called Weki Meki. Both Choi and Kim made their official debut with the group on August 8, 2017, with the release of the single "I Don't Like Your Girlfriend" and the six-track EP Weme which had some of its lyrics written by Choi.

On May 2, 2018, Starship Entertainment and Fantagio revealed their plans to form a special four-member unit with members of their respective girl groups Cosmic Girls and Weki Meki, which they eventually revealed will be called WJMK. Weki Meki's Choi and Kim and Cosmic Girls' Seola and Luda released the single "Strong" on June 1, 2018, along with its accompanying music video. On August 8, she joined the JTBC reality program Secret Unnie with EXID's Hani.

Choi was part of My Mad Beauty 3 alongside Park Na-rae, Mijoo and Han Hye-jin. She was also part of the variety show The Gashinas. In September 2019, Choi participated in the survival program show, V-1, to select the Vocal Queen among the various girl group members, where only the top twelve girl group members in votes would progress and perform on the show. However, she was eliminated in the first episode, after losing out to bandmate Suyeon.

2020–present: Acting career and solo debut In 2020, Choi starred in the web drama Cast: The Golden Age of Insiders. On May 4, 2021, Choi and the members of I.O.I celebrated their fifth debut anniversary with a reunion live stream show titled "Yes, I Love It!". On September 17, Choi featured on Dotoli's "With a Summer Night". On October 11, Choi featured on Raiden's song "It Wasn't Me" from his debut extended play Love Right Back.

On January 17, 2022, Choi featured on Jinjin's "Lazy" from Jinjin & Rocky's debut EP Restore. On August 13, Choi released the digital single "Uh-ra?" along with rapper Ahn Byung-woong. On August 23, it was reported that Choi would make her solo debut in September. On August 26, it was confirmed that her debut single album Sunflower would be released on September 14, 2022.

On July 10, 2023, Choi starred in the web drama Sound Candy alongside Kim Jong-hyeon. In November 2023, Choi would cast in her film debut The Noisy Mansion, where she played the role as Saet-byeol. The full-scale filming will begin in December.

In April 2024, Choi starred in a KBS1 series A Bicycle Runs on Two Wheels as part of the short promotional video for Movement to Put People with Disabilities First, which premiered on April 19. On August 16, 2024, Fantagio announced that Weki Meki had effectively disbanded on August 8 after five members left the agency. However, Choi was still in discussions of renewing her contract with the agency. On November 18, Fantagio announced that Choi had renewed her exclusive contract with the agency. On the same day, Choi was selected as a special DJ for KBS Cool FM radio show Volume Up.

Discography

Single albums + List of single albums, with selected chart positions and sales Title Details Peak chart position Sales KOR Sunflower Released: September 14, 2022 Label: Fantagio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 14 KOR: 13,700 Perfect Target Released: June 30, 2026 Label: Fantagio Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 18 KOR: 11,951

Singles

KOR: 38,862+ "UH-RA?" 2022 — As featured artist "With a Summer Night" 2021 — "It Wasn't Me" — Love Right Back "Lazy" 2022 — Restore "Ssook Ddoong" — Promotional singles "Rise and Fall" 2017 — Golden Tambourine Soundtrack appearances "Again and Again" 2021 — Single & Ready to Mingle OST Part 1 "Break It Down" 2023 — Cold Blooded Intern OST Part 1 "I hope" 2024 — Dare to Love Me OST Part 2 "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Songwriting credits All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted.

+ List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album Title Year Album Artist With "I.O.I" (intro) 2016 Chrysalis I.O.I Lim Na-young "Dream Girls" Famousbro, Lim Na-young "More More" Miss Me? Lim Na-young, "Stay with Me" 2017 Weme Weki Meki Seo Jieum, Zaydro, Hwang Jaewoong, RHeaT "Pretty Boy (iTeen Girls Special)" Song Sooyun, Lee Hyungsuk, Han Jaeho, Kim Seungsoo "Crush" 2018 Kiss, Kicks TENTEN "True Valentine" JQ, Song Jia "Whatever U Want" 2019 Lock End LOL Chakun "Just Us" 2020 New Rules Ji Su-yeon, Lucy "Sunflower (P.E.L)" 2022 Sunflower Herself Ellie Suh (153/Joombas) "Tip Tip Toes" Jo Yoon-kyung "Perfect Target" 2026 Perfect Target Herself BuildingOwner "Still Cute?" BuildingOwner, Shorelle

Videography

Music videos Title Year Director(s) "Sunflower (P.E.L)" 2022 Lee Kwang-Bok (STUDIO SAPIENS) "Perfect Target" 2026Sehee Kim

Filmography

Film Year Title Role 2025 The Noisy Mansion Saet-byeol

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2019 Be Melodramatic Choi Yoo-jung Cameo (episode 3) 2024 A Bicycle Runs on Two Wheels Eun-ae One act-drama 2017 Idol Fever Yoojung 2020 Cast: The Golden Age of Insiders Lim Yoo-kyung Single and Ready to Mingle Bong Joo-yi 2023 Sound Candy Go Chae-rin

Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2016 Produce 101 Contestant Survival show that determined I.O.I membersFinished 3rd 2016–2017 Golden Tambourine Host The Gashinas Cast member V-1 Contestant 2020 My Dream Is Ryan Student teacher 2021 Spicy Girls Cast Member Off the Record Host with Lee Juck and Kim Sook Rule the Next 2021 2022 Master Vs Master Cast Member 2022–2023 Korea After School: Field Trip Host Season 1

Web shows Year Title Role 2023 Yoodaeng's Work Work Host Blossom with Love Panelist 2025 Broadway 42nd Street Peggy Sawyer