As K-pop extends its reach around the world, Korean groups are seeing more of their foreign members shine in the international spotlight.
One of the brightest examples of this phenomenon is Yuqi, a member of girl group (G)I-DLE.
The six-member group have an international fan base thanks to their powerful and confident concept, and their ability to produce and write their own music. China-born member Yuqi plays a key role in recruiting new followers.
With her unmistakable vocals and growing screen presence across Asia, here’s what you need to know about Yuqi’s life so far.
Her early life
The performer was born Song Yuqi in Beijing in 1999. Yuqi attended Beijing 101 Middle School, considered an elite school, where she explored her interest in music and performing. Yuqi learned the Chinese folk dance daizu when she was young, was president of a street dance club, and a huge fan of veteran K-pop boy band Super Junior – she would attend their concerts when they came to China.
Yuqi went to South Korea after attending auditions in Beijing in 2015 for K-pop label Cube Entertainment, which has launched the careers of popular artists such as 4Minute, Beast, CLC, and HyunA. She reportedly auditioned with a song performed by her future label mates, High Heels by CLC, as well as the track Bubble by Chinese pop star G.E.M., and was taken on as a trainee. (G)I-DLE made their official debut in 2018.
Her role in (G)I-DLE
Yuqi is one of the lead vocalists and lead dancers in (G)I-DLE. With a lower, alto range, Yuqi’s voice provides some of the most memorable moments in several of (G)I-DLE’s songs. With her ability to create echoey, hollow effects with her voice, she was chosen by the group’s leader, Soyeon, to open their cover version of 2NE1’s Fire when they appeared on South Korean television show Queendom. That live performance has received more than 18 million views to date on YouTube.
Yuqi is considered the “face” of the group, which makes sense as her public appearances increase and she spreads the (G)I-DLE name. In less than two years on the scene, Yuqi has made solo appearances on popular South Korean reality and variety shows such as Idol Room, Ask Us Anything and Law of the Jungle.
Her on-camera ability has also led her back to China, where she is a member of the cast of Keep Running, a Chinese version of popular South Korean variety show Running Man.
Yuqi joined the show with Lucas, a member of K-pop boy band NCT, and Chinese celebrities including actor Zheng Kai and actress Angelababy.
Her image
Yuqi speaks Chinese, Korean and English, and during a special episode of K-pop variety show Idol Room, acted as interpreter for Taiwanese and Japanese guest singers and helped them express themselves on camera.
Yuqi was described as a “scene stealer” on the 2019 show Law of the Jungle that saw celebrities test their survival skills in the wilds of a foreign country. She shocked viewers as she fought off bugs and caught fish with her bare hands – coming off far stronger than her male cast mates during filming in Myanmar.
Her smarts also enabled her to handle gracefully a controversial episode in 2019. During a live-stream broadcast, Yuqi made a joke about (G)I-DLE bandmate Shuhua’s desire to become a police officer. A mistranslated summary of the exchange made it appear as though Yuqi was making derogatory remarks about her bandmate’s bright complexion, leading to a backlash on social media.
The translator explained they had been clumsy with their recap and there no racist comments involved, yet Yuqi still took time to address the incident and promised to do better.
“I am learning important lessons about the world every day and this incident showed me that I still have so much more to learn,” she wrote in a heartfelt post to fans. “It is a lesson I take into my heart. I know that as I become more educated I will express myself properly and show you that I am becoming a better person.”
In her own words
While Yuqi’s career is still young, she has had chances to reflect on how she’s grown so far and how a growing number of increasing television experience have given her confidence to grow in all areas of her professional life.
“When I was first in variety shows, I was really nervous and didn’t know what I had to do,” she said during a 2019 interview for YouTube series duKmani. “But I’ve had more experience now, so I’m getting accustomed to it and it’s much more natural. Now I don’t think I will be nervous wherever I go.”
While the idol life has its pressures, Yuqi tries to live in the moment with her band.
“Every time we’re successful, then the next time everybody will have even more expectations of us – like, ‘What will their next colour be, what will their style be?’ she told MTV in 2019. “Instead of getting pressured, we can enjoy it, we just do what we want to do. We show who and what (G)I-DLE is – that’s the only goal for us.”
Her bright and positive personality is one of her best-known traits, but Yuqi also has her vulnerable side. On the South Korean reality show The Gashinas, Yuqi broke down while reading a message for her parents.
“I’m always sorry that I can’t go to see you, but your daughter doesn’t regret coming to Korea,” she said through tears. “I’m going to work harder and hang on so I can be a daughter you can be proud of.”
