# Chuu

Kim Ji-woo (Korean pronunciation:; Korean: 김지우, born October 20, 1999), known professionally by her stage name Chuu (츄), is a South Korean singer, actress and television personality. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group Loona and its sub-unit, yyxy.

## Early life

Kim Ji-woo was born on October 20, 1999, in Cheongju, North Chungcheong, South Korea. She is the eldest of three children, with two younger brothers. For her audition she sang "Halo" by Beyoncé. Her stage name "Chuu" is derived from saying her given name quickly. She graduated from Cheongju's Saet-byul Elementary school (샛별초등학교) and San-nam Middle school (산남중학교).

## Career
### 2017–2022: 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. Chuu reached number 8 on the Gaon Album Chart. She was introduced as part of Loona's third sub-unit Loona yyxy. The sub-unit includes members Yves, Gowon and HyeJu, and their EP, Beauty & the Beat, was released on May 30, 2018, reached number 4 on the Gaon Album Chart. She officially debuted with the whole group on August 20 with the EP, which peaked at number 2 on the Gaon Album Chart.
On May 10, 2019, Chuu made her acting debut and starred in the web drama Dating Class as Han Eun-sol. 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 have them partake with them in various challenges.
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. 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. 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.
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. Chuu also hosted Hauteur, a web series that was made in collaboration with Lotte Department Store to help promote their store among generation Z. 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. She appeared as a model for a television commercial of Dong-a Otsuka's Pocari Sweat. She also appeared in a television commercial of Samsung Galaxy Store in May 2021, South Korean chicken brand "Chicken Maru", mobile RTS game "Warpath", and BC Card. She participated in the reality documentary show Law of the Jungle for the episodes titled "Spring Special in Jeju". 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.
On June 27, 2022, Chuu released the single "Lullaby" with B.I as a collaboration with Dingo Music. 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. On October 16, Chuu released a remake of the 1999 Park Hye-kyung song "Confession" as the theme song of the 2022 film Similar. 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." 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, facing criticism and skepticism from fans, with some industry professionals who had previously worked with Chuu questioning the allegations made against her. 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.

### 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. In April 2023, Chuu signed an exclusive contract with a new entertainment company, ATRP. 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.
On February 13, 2024, Chuu released a digital single "Chocolate", with an English-language version of the song being released the next day. On May 22, ATRP confirmed Chuu was filming a music video in Australia for her second album, to be released in June. On May 29, it was officially announced that Chuu would be releasing her second extended play Strawberry Rush on June 25. The music video for the lead single of the same name was released together with the album. On August 2, it was announced that Chuu would be returning to acting in the fantasy romance drama My Girlfriend is a Real Man, based on webtoon of the same name.

## 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.

## Personal life

In February 2018, Chuu graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School alongside her Loona groupmate Kim Lip.
In the wake of a wave of bullying allegations against various stars in the K-pop industry, Chuu was one of the people accused of bullying at school in February 2021. However, the accuser apologized for the false claims as they were found to be unfounded after Blockberry Creative announced that they would be taking legal action against the accuser.

## Discography
### Extended plays

List of extended plays, showing selected details, chart positions, and sales figures :
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
| Title | Details | KOR | Sales |
| Howl | Released: October 18, 2023 Label: ATRP Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "Howl" "Underwater" "My Palace" "Aliens" "Hitchhiker" | 3 | KOR: 49,545 |
| Strawberry Rush | Released: June 25, 2024 Label: ATRP Formats: CD, digital download, streaming Track listing "Strawberry Rush" "Honeybee" "Daydreamer" "Lucid Dream" "Chocolate" "Chocolate" (English version) | 12 | KOR: 55,902 |

### Singles

List of singles as lead artist, showing year released, chart positions, and name of the album :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Album |
| "Lullaby" (자장가) (with B.I) | 2022 | — | Non-album singles |
| "One and a Half" (일과 이분의 일) | 2022 | 87 | Non-album singles |
| "Howl" | 2023 | — | Howl |
| "Chocolate" | 2024 | — | Strawberry Rush |
| "Strawberry Rush" | 2024 | — | Strawberry Rush |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. ||||

### Promotional singles

List of promotional singles, showing year released and name of the album :
| Title | Year | Album |
| "World Is One 2021" (with Kim Yo-han, Eric Bellinger) | 2021 | Non-album singles |
| "Starlight" (with Lee Hyun, Lee Gi-kwang, Joohoney, Hyeongjun, Jung Yeon-joo) | 2021 | Non-album singles |
| "Dear My Winter" (with George) | 2022 | Non-album singles |
| "Let's Love" (썸밍아웃) (with Kim Yo-han) | 2023 | Project Restless |
| "Our Nights Are More Beautiful Than Your Days" (우리의 밤은 당신의 낮보다 아름답다) | 2023 | Non-album single |
| "I Like You" (좋아 좋아) | 2023 | [THE SEASONS Vol II. 10] ᐸAKMU's Long day Long nightᐳ ReːWake x CHUU |
| "A Beautiful Farewell" (아름다운) | 2023 | I am Re:Born #1 |

### Soundtrack appearances

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | US World | Album |
| "We Wanna Be Adults" (어른이 되고 싶어) | 2015 | — | — | Princess Pring OST |
| "Spring Flower" (봄꽃) | 2020 | — | 5 | Memorials OST |
| "Hello" (좋아서 그래) (with Lee Hyeop) | 2021 | — | 25 | Fling at Convenience Store OST |
| "Loving U" (좋아서 좋아해) | 2021 | — | — | Revolutionary Sisters OST |
| "Brunch" (브런치) | 2022 | — | — | Daily JoJo OST |
| "Confession" (고백) | 2022 | — | — | Ditto OST |
| "Fox Rain" (여우비) | 2024 | 174 | — | The Moon During the Day Webtoon OST |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |||||

### Compilation appearances

List of soundtrack appearances, showing year released, and name of the album :
| Title | Year | Album |
| "Beautiful Landscape" (아름다운 강산) (with Kim Mi-sun) | 2022 | DNA Singer – Fantastic Family Round 7 |
| "Arari" (아라리) (as Gaeul) | 2022 | Life Reset Re-Debut Show – A Star Is Born (Episode 3) |
| "Back in Time" (시간을 거슬러) (as Gaeul) | 2022 | Life Reset Re-Debut Show – A Star Is Born (Episode 3) |

### Other charted songs

List of songs as lead artist, showing year released, chart positions, and name of the album :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR Down. | Album |
| "Underwater" | 2023 | 98 | Howl |
| "My Palace" | 2023 | 128 | Howl |
| "Aliens" | 2023 | 129 | Howl |
| "Hitchhiker" | 2023 | 137 | Howl |
| "Honeybee" | 2024 | 99 | Strawberry Rush |
| "Daydreamer" | 2024 | 105 | Strawberry Rush |
| "Lucid Dream" | 2024 | 108 | Strawberry Rush |

## Videography
### Music videos

| Title | Year | Director(s) |
| "World Is One" | 2021 | Kim In-tae (AFF Studio), Im Woo-sung (AFF Studio), Luke Im |
| "One and a Half" | 2022 | Lee Yoo-young, Lee Jae-hyeon (SNP Film) |
| "Underwater" | 2023 | Yoo Sungkyun (Sunny Visual) |
| "Howl" | 2023 | Yoo Sungkyun (Sunny Visual) |
| "Hitchhiker" | 2023 | Yoo Sungkyun (Sunny Visual) |
| "Strawberry Rush" | 2024 | Sky (Sunny Visual) |
| "Honeybee" | 2024 | Un­known |
| "Pink Cloud" | 2024 | Un­known |

## Filmography
### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2017 | Part-Time Idol | Student in front of the agency | Extra (Episode 5) | |

### Web series

| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
| 2019 | Dating Class | Han Eun-sol | |
| TBA | My Girlfriend is a Real Man | Kang Min-joo | |

### Television shows

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2020 | Running Girls | Cast member | With Hani, Sunmi, YooA and Chungha |
| 2020 | King of Mask Singer | Contestant | As Spring Girl (Episode 247–248) |
| 2021 | Steel Troops | Panelist | Season 1 |
| 2021 | Law of the Jungle – Spring Special in Jeju | Cast member | Episode 446–448 |
| 2021 | Family Register Mate | Co-host | |
| 2021 | Wild Idol | Panelist | |
| 2022 | Mystery Duet | Panelist | |
| 2022 | Stage Up | Host | |
| 2022 | The Dreamers | Host | with Ha Seok-jin, Jang Dong-seon and Kim Yun-hee |
| 2022–2023 | Mr. Trot | Master | Season 2 |

### Web shows

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2019 | Insane Quiz Show Season 2 | Co-host | With MJ and Illhoon |
| 2020–present | Chuu Can Do It | Host | Produced by DIA TV |
| 2022 | Terrace On | Host | with Leeteuk and Lee Won-il |
| 2022 | If you like it, it will ring! | Host | with Jinyoung, Lee Eun-ji and Hong Seok-cheon |
| 2023 | Star of Star Girls | Cast member | with Song Yuqi and Billlie's Tsuki |

## Concerts and tours
### Howl in USA

| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| December 3, 2023 | Los Angeles | United States | The Orpheum Theatre |
| December 5, 2023 | Oakland | United States | Paramount Theatre |
| December 7, 2023 | Denver | United States | Fillmore Auditorium |
| December 11, 2023 | Washington, D.C. | United States | MGM National Harbor |
| December 13, 2023 | New York | United States | Kings Theatre |
| December 15, 2023 | Atlanta | United States | Coca-Cola Roxy |
| December 17, 2023 | Dallas | United States | Music Hall at Fair Park |

### Strawberry Rush in Americas

| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| July 17, 2024 | Los Angeles | United States | The Orpheum Theatre |
| July 19, 2024 | San Francisco | United States | Palace of Fine Arts |
| July 21, 2024 | Tacoma | United States | Pantages Theater |
| July 24, 2024 | Phoenix | United States | The Van Buren |
| July 26, 2024 | Dallas | United States | House of Blues |
| July 28, 2024 | New Orleans | United States | The Fillmore |
| July 31, 2024 | Detroit | United States | The Fillmore |
| August 3, 2024 | Indianapolis | United States | Egyptian Room at Old National Centre |
| August 5, 2024 | New York | United States | 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

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
| APAN Music Awards | 2020 | Idol Champ Entertainer – Female | Chuu | Won |
| Blue Dragon Series Awards | 2023 | Best New Female Entertainer | Love Alarm Clap! Clap! Clap! | Nominated |
| Brand of the Year Awards | 2021 | Entertainer Idol of the Year (Female) | Chuu | Nominated |
| Universal Superstar Awards | 2024 | Universal Style Wannabe | Chuu | Won |