Chuu
South Korean singer (born 1999)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kim Ji-woo (Korean: 김지우; pronounced [kim d͡ʑiu], born October 20, 1999), known professionally as Chuu (츄), is a South Korean singer and actress. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group Loona and its sub-unit, yyxy.
October 20, 1999
- Singer
- actress
Early life
Kim Ji-woo was born on October 20, 1999, in Cheongju, South Korea. She is the eldest of three children and has two younger brothers. For her audition, she sang "Halo" by Beyoncé.[2] Her stage name "Chuu" is derived from saying her given name quickly.[3] She graduated from Cheongju's Saet-byul Elementary School and San-nam Middle School.[4][5]
Career
2017–2020: Debut with Loona and solo activities
On December 14, 2017, Chuu was revealed as the tenth member of the Korean idol girl group Loona. As part of the group's pre-debut release strategy, on December 28, she released her self-titled single album with "Heart Attack" as its title track.[6] Chuu reached number 8 on the Gaon Album Chart.[7] She was introduced as part of Loona's third sub-unit Loona yyxy. The sub-unit includes members Yves, Gowon and HyeJu,[8] and their EP, Beauty & the Beat, was released on May 30, 2018,[9] and reached number 4 on the Gaon Album Chart.[10] She officially debuted with the entire group on August 20 with the EP [+ +],[11] which peaked at number 2 on the Gaon Album Chart.[12]
On May 10, 2019, Chuu made her acting debut and starred in the web drama Dating Class as Han Eun-sol.[13][14] In July to September, she co-hosted the second season of the variety show Insane Quiz Show with MJ of Astro and Il-hoon of BtoB. The show brings in two celebrity guests each episode and has them partake in various challenges with the hosts.[15][16]
In January 2020, Chuu appeared at MBC's 2020 Lunar New Year Idol Star Championships. However, MBC was inundated with criticism because it was discovered that a male staff pulled her hair.[17][18][19] In March 2020, Chuu competed in King of Mask Singer under the name "Spring Girl", a character who dressed in a spring outfit with flowers in her hair and a flat paper mask that covers her eyes and mouth. She was eliminated in the second of the two days of competition.[20] In December 2020, she co-starred in Running Girls, a Mnet show where five K-pop idols form a running team and try out different running courses in South Korea.[21]
2021–2022: Web series and Blockberry Creative departure
In 2021, Chuu started to host her own web series on YouTube called Chuu Can Do It where she spreads awareness about the need to protect the Earth through environmentally friendly practices.[3][22] Chuu also hosted Hauteur, a web series that was made in collaboration with Lotte Department Store to help promote their store among generation Z.[23] In March 2021, Chuu was a regular panelist in the Channel A show Steel Troops where she comments on teams from Korea's armed forces competing against each other.[24] She appeared as a model for a television commercial of Dong-a Otsuka's Pocari Sweat.[25] She also appeared in a television commercial of Samsung Galaxy Store in May 2021,[26] South Korean chicken brand "Chicken Maru",[27] mobile RTS game "Warpath",[28] and BC Card.[29] She participated in the reality documentary show Law of the Jungle for the episodes titled "Spring Special in Jeju".[30] At the end of 2021, Chuu filed an application for a provisional injunction against her agency, Blockberry Creative, to suspend the exclusive contract. It was also reported that in April 2022, she had founded her own company, with herself as the CEO.[needs update?][31][32]

On June 27, 2022, Chuu released the single "Lullaby" with B.I as a collaboration with Dingo Music.[33] On August 11, it was announced that Chuu would release "One and Half", a remake of the 1994 track by Two Two, on September 4.[34] On October 16, Chuu released a remake of the 1999 Park Hye-kyung song "Confession" as the theme song of the 2022 film Similar.[35] On November 25, Blockberry Creative announced on the official fancafe that Chuu had been expelled from Loona, citing "reports of abuse of power, such as Chuu's abusive language towards our staff."[36] Chuu was then caught up in rumors of power abuse, transfer, and bullying within her company. Blockberry Creative refused to reveal evidence concerning the rumors of power abuse to the public,[37] facing criticism and skepticism from fans, with some industry professionals who had previously worked with Chuu questioning the allegations made against her.[38] On December 5, Chuu released "Dear My Winter" with South Korean R&B singer George as part of Lotte Shopping's "Songs for You" series.[39]
2023–present: Solo debut with Howl
On February 23, 2023, Chuu released "Let's Love" with Kim Yo-han, which is part of Project Restless.[40] In April 2023, Chuu signed an exclusive contract with a new entertainment company, ATRP.[1] On September 18, ATRP announced that Chuu would be making her debut as a solo artist on October 18, with her first extended play Howl and the lead single of the same name.[41]

On February 13, 2024, Chuu released a digital single "Chocolate", with an English-language version of the song being released the next day.[42] On May 22, ATRP confirmed Chuu was filming a music video in Australia for her second album, to be released in June.[43] On May 29, it was officially announced that Chuu would be releasing her second extended play Strawberry Rush on June 25.[44] The music video for the lead single of the same name was released together with the album.[45] On August 2, it was announced that Chuu would be returning to acting in the fantasy romance drama My Girlfriend Is the Man!, based on webtoon of the same name.[46]
On March 28, 2025, ATRP announced that Chuu's third extended play Only Cry in the Rain would be released on April 21.[47] On December 15, it was announced that Chuu would release her first studio album XO, My Cyberlove on January 7, 2026, with the lead single of the same name.[48][49]
Philanthropy
On December 28, 2022, Chuu announced through her YouTube channel that all proceeds from the merchandise sold at the Jiwoo store were donated to the Korea Music Power Plant to improve the welfare of musicians.[50]
Personal life
In February 2018, Chuu graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School alongside her Loona groupmate Kim Lip.[51]
In February 2021, in the wake of a wave of bullying allegations against various stars in the K-pop industry, Chuu was falsely accused of bullying when she was in school.[52] The accuser apologized for the false claims and Blockberry Creative announced that they would be taking legal action against them.[53]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [54] | |||
| XO, My Cyberlove |
|
8 |
|
Extended plays
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [54] | |||
| Howl |
Track listing
|
3 |
|
| Strawberry Rush |
Track listing
|
12 |
|
| Only Cry in the Rain |
Track listing
|
15 |
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [59] | ||||
| "Heart Attack"[A] | 2017 | — | Chuu | |
| "Lullaby" (자장가) (with B.I) |
2022 | —[B] | Non-album singles | |
| "One and a Half" (일과 이분의 일) | 87 | |||
| "Howl" | 2023 | —[C] | Howl | |
| "Chocolate"[D] | 2024 | —[E] | Strawberry Rush | |
| "Strawberry Rush" | —[F] | |||
| "Only Cry in the Rain" | 2025 | —[G] | Only Cry in the Rain | |
| "XO, My Cyberlove" | 2026 | —[H] | XO, My Cyberlove | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | ||||
As featured artist
Promotional singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "World Is One 2021"[68] (with Kim Yo-han, Eric Bellinger) |
2021 | Non-album singles |
| "Starlight"[69] (with Lee Hyun, Lee Gi-kwang, Joohoney, Hyeongjun, Jung Yeon-joo) | ||
| "Dear My Winter" (with George) |
2022 | |
| "Let's Love" (썸밍아웃) (with Kim Yo-han) |
2023 | Project Restless |
| "Our Nights Are More Beautiful Than Your Days" (우리의 밤은 당신의 낮보다 아름답다) |
Non-album single | |
| "I Like You" (좋아 좋아) | [THE SEASONS Vol II. 10] ᐸAKMU's Long day Long nightᐳ ReːWake x CHUU | |
| "A Beautiful Farewell" (아름다운) | I am Re:Born #1 |
Soundtrack appearances
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOR [70] |
US World [71] | ||||
| "We Wanna Be Adults"[I] (어른이 되고 싶어) | 2015 | — | — | Princess Pring OST | |
| "Spring Flower" (봄꽃)[72] | 2020 | —[J] | 5 | Memorials OST | |
| "Hello" (좋아서 그래)[74] (with Lee Hyeop) |
2021 | —[K] | 25 | Fling at Convenience Store OST | |
| "Loving U" (좋아서 좋아해)[77] | —[L] | — | Revolutionary Sisters OST | ||
| "Brunch" (브런치)[80] | 2022 | —[M] | — | Daily JoJo OST | |
| "Confession" (고백) | —[N] | — | Ditto OST | ||
| "Fox Rain" (여우비) | 2024 | 174 | — | The Moon During the Day Webtoon OST | |
| "Loveholic" | 2025 | —[O] | — | Just For Meeting You OST | |
| "Star"[86] | —[P] | — | My Girlfriend Is the Man! OST | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||||
Compilation appearances
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Beautiful Landscape" (아름다운 강산) (with Kim Mi-sun) |
2022 | DNA Singer – Fantastic Family Round 7 |
| "Arari" (아라리) (as Gaeul) |
Life Reset Re-Debut Show – A Star Is Born (Episode 3) | |
| "Back in Time" (시간을 거슬러) (as Gaeul) |
Other charted songs
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOR Down. [89] | |||
| "Underwater" | 2023 | 98 | Howl |
| "My Palace" | 128 | ||
| "Aliens" | 129 | ||
| "Hitchhiker" | 137 | ||
| "Honeybee" | 2024 | 99 | Strawberry Rush |
| "Daydreamer" | 105 | ||
| "Lucid Dream" | 108 | ||
| "Back in Town" | 2025 | 127 | Only Cry in the Rain |
| "Kiss a Kitty" | 136 | ||
| "Je T'aime" | 135 | ||
| "No More" | 141 | ||
| "Canary" | 2026 | 94 | XO, My Cyberlove |
| "Cocktail Dress" | 88 | ||
| "Limoncello" | 106 | ||
| "Teeny Tiny Heart" | 91 | ||
| "Love Potion" | 108 | ||
| "Heart Tea Bag" | 109 | ||
| "Hide & Seek" | 100 | ||
| "Loving You!" (첫눈이 오면 그때 거기서 만나) |
99 |
Videography
Music videos
| Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "World Is One" | 2021 | Kim In-tae (AFF Studio), Im Woo-sung (AFF Studio), Luke Im | [90][91] |
| "One and a Half" | 2022 | Lee Yoo-young, Lee Jae-hyeon (SNP Film) |
[92][93] |
| "Underwater" | 2023 | Yoo Sungkyun (Sunny Visual) |
[94][95] |
| "Howl" | [96][95] | ||
| "Hitchhiker" | [97][95] | ||
| "Strawberry Rush" | 2024 | Sky (Sunny Visual) |
[98] |
| "Honeybee" | Sunny Visual | [99][100] | |
| "Pink Cloud" | Annie Chung | [101][102] | |
| "Only Cry in the Rain" | 2025 | Sunny Visual | [103][104] |
| "Back in Town" | [105][104] | ||
| "XO, My Cyberlove" | 2026 | [106][107] | |
| "Canary" | Unknown | [108] |
Filmography
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | My Girlfriend Is the Man! | Kang Min-joo | [109][110] |
Web series
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Running Girls | Cast member | With Hani, Sunmi, YooA and Chungha | [21] |
| King of Mask Singer | Contestant | As Spring Girl (Episode 247–248) | [20] | |
| 2021 | Steel Troops | Panelist | Season 1 & 3 | [24][111] |
| Law of the Jungle – Spring Special in Jeju | Cast member | Episode 446–448 | [30] | |
| Family Register Mate | Co-host | [112] | ||
| Wild Idol | Panelist | [113] | ||
| 2022 | Mystery Duet | [114] | ||
| Stage Up | Host | [115] | ||
| The Dreamers | with Ha Seok-jin, Jang Dong-seon and Kim Yun-hee | [116] | ||
| 2022–2023 | Mr. Trot | Master | Season 2 | [117] |
| 2025 | When Our Kids Fall in Love | Co-host | [118] |
Web shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Insane Quiz Show Season 2 | Co-host | with MJ and Illhoon | [15][16] |
| 2020–present | Chuu Can Do It | Host | Produced by DIA TV | [119] |
| 2022 | Terrace On | with Leeteuk and Lee Won-il | [120] | |
| If you like it, it will ring! | with Jinyoung, Lee Eun-ji and Hong Seok-cheon | [121] | ||
| 2023 | Star of Star Girls | Cast member | with Song Yuqi and Billlie's Tsuki | [122] |
Concerts and tours
Howl in USA
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 3, 2023 | Los Angeles | United States | The Orpheum Theatre | [123] |
| December 5, 2023 | Oakland | Paramount Theatre | ||
| December 7, 2023 | Denver | Fillmore Auditorium | ||
| December 11, 2023 | Washington, D.C. | MGM National Harbor | ||
| December 13, 2023 | New York | Kings Theatre | ||
| December 15, 2023 | Atlanta | Coca-Cola Roxy | ||
| December 17, 2023 | Dallas | Music Hall at Fair Park |
Strawberry Rush in Americas
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 17, 2024 | Los Angeles | United States | The Orpheum Theatre | [124] |
| July 19, 2024 | San Francisco | Palace of Fine Arts | ||
| July 21, 2024 | Tacoma | Pantages Theater | ||
| July 24, 2024 | Phoenix | The Van Buren | ||
| July 26, 2024 | Dallas | House of Blues | ||
| July 28, 2024 | New Orleans | The Fillmore | ||
| July 31, 2024 | Detroit | The Fillmore | ||
| August 3, 2024 | Indianapolis | Egyptian Room at Old National Centre | ||
| August 5, 2024 | New York | The Town Hall | ||
| August 7, 2024 | Santiago | Chile | Teatro Cupula | |
| August 10, 2024 | São Paulo | Brazil | Studio Stage | |
| August 13, 2024 | Mexico City | Mexico | Foro Puebla |
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APAN Music Awards | 2020 | Idol Champ Entertainer – Female | Chuu | Won | [125] |
| Blue Dragon Series Awards | 2023 | Best New Female Entertainer | Love Alarm Clap! Clap! Clap! | Nominated | [126] |
| Brand of the Year Awards | 2021 | Entertainer Idol of the Year (Female) | Chuu | Nominated | [127] |
| Universal Superstar Awards | 2024 | Universal Style Wannabe | Won | [128] |
See also
Notes
- credited to Loona, but the track is a solo by Chuu
- "Chocolate (English Ver.)" was released on February 14, 2024.
- Credited as Kim Ji-woo.