Song Yuqi (Chinese: 宋雨琦, Korean: 송우기; born September 23, 1999), known mononymously as Yuqi (Korean: 우기), is a Chinese singer-songwriter, dancer and record producer. She is a member of the South Korean girl group (G)I-dle, which debuted under Cube Entertainment in May 2018. She has been a cast member of the Chinese variety show Keep Running since 2019 and hosted the KakaoTV reality show Learn Way (2020–2021). In May 2021, Yuqi made her solo debut with single album A Page.
Life and career
1999–2018: Early life and pre-debut activities
Song Yuqi was born on September 23, 1999, in Beijing, China. She attended Beijing 101 Middle School.[3] In 2015, Yuqi attended the Cube Star World Audition Beijing Station, performing CLC's "High Heels" and G.E.M.'s "Bubble".[4]
On April 8, 2018, Yuqi was revealed to be an upcoming member of Cube Entertainment's new girl group, (G)I-dle.[5] She debuted with the group on May 2, 2018, with the lead single titled "Latata" of their debut album, I Am.[6]
In 2019, Yuqi became a cast member for the seventh season of the Chinese TV show Keep Running.[7]
In May 2020, Yuqi debuted as a songwriter and composer with "I'm the Trend," a song dedicated to (G)I-dle's fanbase.[13] On May 29, Yuqi was cast alongside WJSN's Exy and Yeoreum in 1theK Originals' game show The First Date.[14] For (G)I-dle's first single album, Yuqi was credited for "Dumdi Dumdi" Chinese lyrics and guide alongside Z King.[15] On September 17, KakaoTV launched an original entertainment program hosted by Yuqi, Learn Way.[16] In October, Yuqi was cast in tvN's I'm a Survivor, a reality show where entertainers undergo survival training for natural disasters.[17] On November 9, it was announced that Yuqi would participate in G-Star 2020 with Krafton, an e-sports reality show where celebrities and streamers entered a special school for PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds Series 3.[18] On November 22, Yuqi appeared on Play Seoul, a program produced by the Seoul Tourism Foundation and KBS with the aim of promoting safe post-COVID-19 tourism in Seoul.[19] On November 30, Yuqi also appeared in Seoul Connects U, a variety travel show jointly planned and produced by MBC and Seoul Tourism Foundation.[20]
On January 11, 2021, (G)I-dle released their fourth extended play I Burn, on which Yuqi co-wrote and co-composed the song "Lost."[21] Later that month, the group released a Chinese version of their lead single "Hwaa," with Chinese lyrics written by Yuqi.[22][23]
2021–present: Solo debut, China's activities, international collaborations
In late 2021, Yuqi returned to South Korea to prepare for (G)I-dle's comeback.[24] On March 14, 2022, the group released their first studio album I Never Die, on which Yuqi participated in writing and composing the tracks "Polaroid" and "Liar."[29] In April, she was cast as a panelist in the TVING web series Zero-Sum Game.[30] Later that month, Yuqi's (G)I-dle groupmate Miyeon released her debut extended play My on which Yuqi co-composed the track "Rain."[21] In October, (G)I-dle released their fifth extended play I Love, on which Yuqi co-composed the tracks "Reset" and "Dark (X-File)."[31]
In February 2023, Yuqi and groupmate Miyeon released the song "Sweet Dream" as part of the soundtrack for the Netflix romantic comedy series Love to Hate You.[32] Later in February, she collaborated with EDM producer team HypeerTime on the song "Not Cinderella" for the KakaoPage webtoon I Wasn't the Cinderella.[33] In March, she was confirmed to return as a main cast member in season 11 of Keep Running.[34] In May, (G)I-dle returned with their sixth extended play I Feel, on which Yuqi participated in writing and composing the tracks "All Night" and "Peter Pan."[21] In June, Yuqi was a featured artist on Choi Ye-na's "Hate Rodrigo," the lead single from Choi's second single album Hate XX.[35] The following month, she made her acting debut in the Netflix original seriesCelebrity as Zhang Wei, a Chinese influencer.[36] On September 5, Yuqi and Miyeon released the single "How to Twerk" as part of the soundtrack of the Mnet dance competition show Street Woman Fighter 2.[37] Six days later, she was cast alongside Chuu and Billlie's Tsuki in the Studio X+U entertainment show Star of Star Girls.[38]
On December 14, Yuqi collaborated with Alan Walker and Jvke on the single "Fire!" off of Walker's fourth studio album Walkerworld.[39] On January 29, 2024, (G)I-dle released their second studio album 2, on which Yuqi co-wrote and co-composed the tracks "Doll" and "Rollie".[40] On February 27, Yuqi released "Bad Liar", a special track from the tvN series Marry My Husband.[41]
On March 22, 2024, it was announced that Yuqi would be making her Korean solo debut in April.[42] On April 2, it was officially confirmed that she would be releasing her first EPYuq1 on April 23, with the pre-release single "Could It Be" released on April 5.[43] The lead single "Freak" and its accompanying music video were released together with the EP.[44] On September 20, Yuqi released the promotional single "One" as part of the soundtrack for the Chinese release of Transformers One.[45]
Personal life
Yuqi came to South Korea in 2016[46] and is known to have high-level Korean proficiency.[47] Her Korean Proficiency level was certified in 2020 when she gained Level 5 out of 6 overall in the TOPIK test (222, 8 points below the level 6 score of 230). When asked about her language skills in KBS2's Happy Together 3, she answered, "Kim Soo-hyun was my Korean teacher. I fell in love with him after watching the drama My Love from the Star. I studied Korean with my mother with the drama."[48]
Yuqi has appeared on various South Korean entertainment shows such as KBS2Happy Together 3, JTBCKnowing Bros, MBC Every 1Korean Foreigners, and SBSRunning Man. She was a special MC on SBS MTV's The Show and hosted her own show on KakaoTV, Learn Way. Yuqi was praised for her sense of entertainment and fluent Korean. Korean media has complimented her "Yoo Jae-seok-class sense of entertainment" and praised her "outstanding Korean skills that are different from those from other idol groups".[47]
Other ventures
Fashion and endorsements
Aside from various endorsements with her group, Yuqi has promoted various products and featured in numerous advertisements. During her trainee years, she was a model for the local South Korean skin care line Rising Star Cosmetics.[50][51][52] On April 28, 2019, Yuqi was introduced as Vivlas new beauty brand model.[53]
In 2021, Yuqi continued to grow in popularity, collaborating with Chinese brands such as Momenten, a sugar-free sparkling alcohol brand, Limeflare, a fashion and jewelry brand, and cosmetics brand Carslan.[54] On August 6, she was chosen to become the face of luxury sunglasses and eyeglasses Ray-Ban in Greater China due to her "brave[ness] in expressing her true self and full of positive energy."[55][56]
In February 2023, Yuqi was announced as a brand spokesperson for Chinese cosmetics brand Into You.[57] On January 8, 2024, Yuqi was announced as a brand ambassador for Fendi.[58][59] Later that month, she became a brand ambassador for the online clothing brand Dekavv.[60] In April 2024, she became a brand ambassador for Anessa, a Japanese sunscreen brand owned by Shiseido.[61] In July, she was selected as the model for activewear brand Xexymix.[62] In November, Yuqi was chosen as a brand ambassador for bags and shoes by luxury women's fashion label Tory Burch LLC.[63][64] In December, she became a brand spokesperson for Adidas.[65][66]
Ambassadorship
In 2021, Yuqi was appointed as the ambassador for the International Day of the Deaf, jointly organized by Baidu and Listening Foundation.[67]
^ abKwak Hyun-soo (May 29, 2020). '오늘부터 1일♥' 우주소녀 엑시×(여자)아이들 우기의 색다른 우정 쌓기 ['1st day from today♥' Establishing a unique friendship of the cosmic girl Exy × (G)I-dle Yuqi]. Sports DongaA (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
^ ab카카오, 웹예능 '런웨이' 론칭...(여자)아이들 우기, 장성규에 도전장 [Kakao launches web entertainment'Runway'... Yuqi and Jang Sung-gyu challenged]. XSPortsNews (in Korean). September 17, 2020. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
^ abPark Hyun-sook (October 7, 2020). '나는 살아있다' 김성령→우기까지, 특전사 중사 출신 교관과 재난 상황에 맞선다! ['I'm Alive' Kim Seong-ryeong → Until Yuqi confront the disaster situation with an instructor who used to be a special sergeant sergeant!]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
^ abNam Jeong-seok (November 9, 2020). 크래프톤, '지스타 2020'에 '승부겜성'이란 메시지로 참가 [Krafton participates in 'G-Star 2020' with the message of 'Game of the Match']. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
^ abKim Ji-hye (November 20, 2020). '플레이서울' (여자)아이들-더보이즈-스트레이키즈의 서울 탐방기..22일 첫방송 ['Play Seoul' (G)Idle-The Boyz-Stray Kids' tour of Seoul.. First broadcast on the 22nd]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
^ abJang Sujeong (November 20, 2020). 오마이걸·(여자)아이들, 'Seoul Connects U' 출격 [Oh My Girl and (G)Idle,'Seoul Connects U']. iMBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
^Lee Seul (May 6, 2021). (여자)아이들 우기, 13일 싱글 'A page' 발매...데뷔 3년 만에 첫 솔로 [(G)I-dle Yuqi releases single 'A page' on the 13th... First solo after 3 years of debut]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
^ abChoi Yun-na (April 5, 2022). "제로섬게임', MC 장성규X한혜진·패널 이이경X우기 확정[공식]" ['Zero-sum game', MC Jang Seong-gyu X Han Hye-jin, panel Lee Yi-kyung X Woo-gi confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jimin, Kyung (October 5, 2022). (여자)아이들, 'I love' 트랙리스트 공개..소연 타이틀곡 작곡·작사 [(G)I-DLE, 'I love' tracklist released.. Soyeon's title song composed and lyrics] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
^Noh, Ji-hyun (September 7, 2023). "'스우파2' 계급미션 음원 대박...다듀→크러쉬 "참여 영광"" ['Suwoopa 2' class mission sound source is great... Dadu→Crush "Glory to participate"]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
^ abJang, Woo-young (September 11, 2023). "[단독] '차세대 예능돌' 우기·츄·츠키, 우주 진출 목표...'별의별걸' 10월 공개 (종합)" [[Exclusive] 'Next-generation entertainment idols' Yuqi, Chuu, and Tsuki aim to enter space... 'Star Girl' to be released in October (comprehensive)]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
^Ji, Min-kyung (January 18, 2024). (여자)아이들, 타이틀곡은 'Super Lady'..멤버 전곡 작사·작곡 참여 [(G)I-dle, the lead single is 'Super Lady'..All members participated in writing and composing the lyrics of the song] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kang, Bo-ra (February 27, 2024). (여자)아이들 우기, '내 남편과 결혼해줘' OST '연극' 음원 발매 [(G)I-DLE Yuqi releases 'Marry My Husband' OST 'Play']. Single List (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
^Lee, Min-ji (April 2, 2024). (여자)아이들 우기, 23일 솔로 데뷔 확정...첫 미니앨범 프로모션 [공식] [(G)I-DLE's Yuqi confirms solo debut on the 23rd... First mini album promotion [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024 – via Naver.
^Jang, Woo-young (April 23, 2024). (여자)아이들 우기, 'FREAK'지만 우기 그 자체...1인 7색 '보컬리스트' [퇴근길 신곡] [(G)I-DLE's Yuqi is "FREAK", but Yuqi herself..."Vocalist" with 7 colors [New song on the way home from work]] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024 – via Naver.
^宋雨琦献唱推广曲《ONE》MV！《变形金刚：起源》预售全面开启！ [Song Yuqi sings the promotional song "ONE" MV! Pre-sale of "Transformers: Origins" is now open!]. The Paper (in Chinese). September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
^Hong Shinik (July 27, 2020). '퀴즈돌' (여자)아이들 우기, "한국어 선생님='별그대' 김수현" ['Quiz Doll' (G)I-dle Yuqi, "Korean Teacher='Star You're Kim Soo-hyun"]. Daily Star (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
^ abJang Hye-soo (October 28, 2020). '퀴즈돌' (여자)아이들 우기, "한국어 선생님='별그대' 김수현" [(G)I-DLE Yuqi , "Yoo Jae-seok-class sense of entertainment" has gone viral![Star Watch]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
^Park Yong-geun (August 17, 2018). '해피투게더3' 우기 "김수현이 한국어 선생님...'별그대' 보고 배웠다" ['Happy Together 3' Yuqi "Kim Soo-hyun is my Korean teacher..."]. Joy News24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
^"라이징스타 모델 출신 연습생 우기-민니-슈화, 걸그룹 '(여자)아이들'로 데뷔!" [Trainees Yuqi, Minnie, and Shuhua, former models of Rising Star, debuted as a girl group '(G)I-DLE'!]. bnabio (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
^宋雨琦国内首个个人代言唯兰颂VIVLAS [Song Yuqi is the first person in China to endorse VIVLAS]. Sohu.com (in Chinese). April 28, 2019. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
^宋雨琦加盟多档综艺节目，《奔跑吧·黄河篇2》《2060》《追光吧哥哥》接连来袭 [Song Yuqi joins multiple variety shows, including "Running Man: Yellow River 2", "2060", and "Brother Chasing Light"]. Sohu.com (in Chinese). October 22, 2021. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
^"雷朋新一代 本色登场 活动热潮再启 宋雨琦率性演绎全新短片" [Ray-Ban's new generation of true colors debuts, and the event craze again]. Sina (in Chinese). August 27, 2021. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
^"INTO YOU官宣宋雨琦为色彩代言人线上线下引爆话题!" [Hot discussion on the whole network! INTO YOU officially announces that Song Yuqi will be the spokesperson of the color and ignites the topic online and offline!]. Sina (in Chinese). February 28, 2023. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
^Jeong, Da-yeon (January 8, 2024). (여자)아이들 우기, 명품 미모 공개 [스타★샷] [(G)I-DLE Yuqi, luxury beauty revealed [Star★Shot]]. Nate News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
^Yang, Yayun (January 8, 2024). (G)I-DLE舒華隊友被欽點！宋雨琦鮮活熱情態度 受邀任品牌形象大使 [(G)I-DLE Shuhua's teammate was appointed! Song Yuqi's lively and enthusiastic attitude was invited as brand ambassador]. SET News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
^Lee, Woo-jeong (January 31, 2024). (여자)아이들 우기, MZ 타깃 여성복 브랜드 앰버서더 발탁..."당당하고 유니크한 매력" [(G)I-DLE Yuqi selected as MZ Target women's clothing brand ambassador... "A confident and unique charm"]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
^安热沙携手品牌大使宋雨琦，开启防晒「日防夜修」新时代 [Anessa joins hands with brand ambassador Song Yuqi to usher in a new era of sun protection "Day Protection and Night Repair"]. Tom.com (in Chinese). April 8, 2024. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
^Jo, Han-song (July 18, 2024). 젝시믹스, (여자)아이들 '우기' 한·중 모델 선정 [Xexymix, (G)I-DLE's 'Yooqi' selected as Korean and Chinese models]. Money Today (in Korean). Retrieved July 18, 2024.
^(G)I-DLE宋雨琦擔任Adidas代言，跟著這位甜姐兒穿搭運動裝 [(G)I-DLE Song Yuqi serves as the spokesperson for Adidas, and she wears sportswear with this sweet girl]. Yahoo (in Chinese). December 29, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
^"在线问，听不清同事说话怎么办？" [Ask online, what should I do if I can't hear my colleagues clearly?]. Sohu (in Chinese). September 26, 2021. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
^Choi Ji-eun (November 6, 2020). '내 꿈은 라이언' (여자)아이들 미연X우기→'아만자' 김보통 작가까지 게스트 총출동 ['My Dream is Ryan' (G)I-dle Miyeon X Yuqi →'Amanja' Kim Bo-Tong, a guest all-out]. Top Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
^Seong Jeong-eun (November 20, 2020). 마예종, 마스코트 수석졸업생은 누구?('내꿈은 라이언') [Ma Ye-jong, who is the senior mascot graduate?]. Daily Economy Star Today (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
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