Chuu

* Howl
* Flip That
* HULA HOOP/StarSeed
* &
* 12:00
* #
* X X
* + +
* Chuu

## Facts

**Chuu** (Hangul: 츄) is a South Korean singer, YouTuber, and TV personality. She was the tenth revealed member of LOONA and a member of its third sub-unit, LOONA/yyxy until she was removed from the group on November 25, 2022.

She was born as **Kim Ji-woo** (Hangul: 김지우) on October 20, 1999 in Chungju, North Chungcheong, South Korea.

She debuted on December 14, 2017 as a member and subsequently released her solo single album *Chuu* on December 28, 2017. Chuu released her first solo mini album *[Howl]*, alongside the title track of the same name on October 18, 2023.

## History

### Early life

Chuu was born and raised in Chungju, Chungcheong Province, South Korea, with her parents and two younger brothers. She attended Saet–byul Elementary school and San–nam Middle school.

Growing up, Chuu had always wanted to be a singer. She would often attend recitals of her mother, a classically trained vocalist. However, because her mother was aware of the difficulties a singing career carried, she did not support Chuu. Despite that, Chuu continued to pursue her dream with the approval of her father.

In order to become a singer, Chuu applied and was accepted as a singer major at Hanlim Multi Arts High School in Seoul in 2015. She gets the opportunition to sing an OST for *Princess Pring*, titled “Wanna Grow Up (어른이 되고 싶어)”.

Later, she became a trainee at FNC Academy in 2016. Sometime after, she left FNC Academy and joined Music Works. It was also around this time that Chuu started her popular Instagram account. Wanting to further challenge herself, Chuu departed from Music Works to seek for a new agency. Although she auditioned for JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment’s The Black Label, she was not accepted into either. She joined BlockBerryCreative as a trainee in September of 2017.

On November 11, 2017, Chuu made her final post on Instagram before disappearing. Seemingly unrelated, a member of LOONA, Yves, appeared in episode 230 of LOONA TV on December 6. A day later, the teaser for LOONA’s 10th member was released. Not until days after the episode of LOONA TV, a fan of Chuu’s noticed that Yves’s phone had a sticker given to Chuu on her birthday two months before. As a result, many fans predicted that the new member would be the well–known Instagrammer Kim Ji–woo. These theories were later confirmed on December 13, when it was announced the new member was Chuu.

### 2017: Reveal, solo debut, yyxy, debut in LOONA

Chuu released her solo single album *Chuu* on December 28, 2017 and subsequently debuted as the 10th member of LOONA.

### 2018: “One & Only”, “Egoist”, yyxy, debut in LOONA

On January 30, 2018, Chuu appeared in Go Won's music video for “One & Only”. On March 30, she also made a cameo in Olivia Hye's music video for “Egoist”.

On February 9, Chuu graduated from Hanlim Multi Arts School alongside Kim Lip.

On May 30, Chuu debuted as a member of LOONA/yyxy with members Yves, Go Won, and Olivia Hye with the mini album *beauty&thebeat*.

On August 18, Chuu officially debuted as a member of the completed group LOONA. She and her members released the mini album *[+ +]*, featuring the title track “Hi High”.

### 2019: *Dating Class*

Chuu starred in the web drama *Dating Class* along with Gyuri of fromis\_9 and Seoham from KNK. The airing started on May 10, 2019.

### 2020: *Chuu Can Do It*

On December 28, Chuu opened her YouTube channel with a teaser for the upcoming project *Chuu Can Do It*, a web series where Chuu would raise awareness about environmentally-friendly practices to help protect the Earth. The series began airing on Korean television on January 7, 2021, and a second season was announced at the end of the first season.

### 2022: Acitivities absence, expulsion and removal from LOONA, BY4M Studio

On June 3, BlockBerryCreative announced that Chuu would not be taking part in LOONA 1st World Tour: [LOONATHEWORLD] due to schedule conflicts.

On July 25, BlockBerryCreative announced that Chuu would not be participating in LOONA's second Japanese album *LUMINOUS* nor their Japanese promotions.

On November 25, BlockBerryCreative released a statement about Chuu’s expulsion and withdrawal from LOONA, stating “there have been reports of abuse of power, including verbal abuse […] the Company has decided to take responsibility by expelling Chuu from LOONA”.

However, numerous people from the industry defended Chuu, claiming that she is not what BlockBerry was attempting to portray her to the public. On December 18, 2022, South Korean media outlet *Dispatch* released a dossier on the subject, including texts alleged to be between Chuu and members of BlockBerryCreative staff, as well as details about her exclusive contract.

#### Dispatch Article

According to phone calls and DMs obtained by *Dispatch*, the situation between Chuu and BlockBerryCreative seems to be as follows:

* On December 4, 2017, Chuu signed an exclusive contract with BlockBerryCreative. Among other terms, the contract stipulated that Chuu, like the other members of LOONA, was entitled to 30% of money earned through her activities, and that she was personally responsible for 50% of expenses incurred. BlockBerryCreative would receive the remaining 70% of earnings and pay 50% of expenses.
	+ A staff member confirmed to Chuu that the money she earned would not be shared with the rest of the members; it would solely be split between Chuu and the company.
	+ Chuu explained to *Dispatch* directly that she was unhappy with the 70/30 and 50/50 terms, because if she were, for example, to earn ₩100, ₩70 would go to the company and ₩30 would go to her. However, if she incurred ₩70 worth of expenses at the same time, ₩35 would be paid by the company and the remaining ₩35 would come out of her payment, meaning her labor would actually *cost* her ₩5.
	+ Representatives of BlockBerryCreative stated that this earnings/expenses split was done for budgetary reasons and that the members agreed to the terms.
	+ According to *Dispatch*, LOONA has earned ₩18.2 billion (approx. US$14 million) and spent ₩16.9 billion (approx. US$13 million) as of 2022. When the 70/30 and 50/50 terms are applied to these amounts, rather than earning any money, LOONA has accrued ₩3 billion (approx. US$2.3 million) in debt, or about ₩200 million (approx. US$150,000) per member. This substantiates member YeoJin’s previous statement that the members have not been paid since debut. Chuu seems to have paid off her debt in January of 2022 due to her new contract.
* In April of 2022, Chuu renegotiated her contract with BlockBerryCreative, reversing the 70/30 split in her favor. Additionally, she and her mother (who is also her business partner) included a clause allowing Chuu to miss up to three LOONA schedules and three album activities per month in order to attend her own individual schedules. In the event that a predetermined Chuu schedule unexpectedly overlapped with a LOONA schedule, Chuu’s solo appointment was to take priority. If the company failed to allow Chuu to go to her solo schedule, she and her mother would be entitled to ₩50 million (approx. US$38,000) for the violation.
* On May 25, 2022, Chuu’s mother complained to BlockBerryCreative that filming for the “Flip That” music video was interfering with an advertisement shoot Chuu had that day. Filming had begun on May 24th, but was delayed and ran past midnight on the 25th, putting Chuu’s schedule that day in jeopardy according to her mother. Chuu’s mother demanded the agreed upon ₩50 million payment for violation of contract terms.
	+ It seems once the music video shoot went past midnight, Chuu informed staff and the other members of LOONA that she would be leaving to prepare for her next appointment. Upon learning this, an unnamed member of LOONA called one of BlockBerryCreative’s CEOs to ask about the sudden change and what they were going to do with only eleven members.
	+ The CEO negotiated with Chuu’s mother for Chuu to stay and complete filming, which she did, in exchange for the violation fee. Reportedly, Chuu returned home at 3AM; the start time of her following schedule is unknown.
	+ Chuu stated to *Dispatch* that her demand on May 25th for the ₩50 million fee was due to an existing pattern of schedule conflicts, not solely because that particular shoot went a few hours late. She claimed their invocation of the clause was a “warning” to BlockBerryCreative.
* At some point, communications between Chuu and BlockBerryCreative deteriorated. Chuu, who claims to have finally lost faith in the company in 2021, was impatient and sarcastic over KakaoTalk with various BlockBerry representatives. In turn, an unnamed director spoke to her condescendingly, saying, “You finished grade school right? Haha. It’s not like you didn’t finish, right?” in a recorded phone call.
	+ Chuu herself admits that her words with the company could be harsh, but that she was hurt, distrustful, and felt unheard at the time.
* The conflict between Chuu and BlockBerryCreative ultimately culminated in Chuu’s termination from the company and removal from LOONA on November 25, 2022. BlockBerryCreative’s official statement was that Chuu’s interactions with staff were the cause of her expulsion.

On November 28, Chuu has been reported to have signed with a new agency BY4M Studio.

### 2023: Continuing dispute with BlockBerryCreative, ATRP, KKUKA, final hearing, *[Howl]*, another lawsuit

On March 14, it was revealed that a hearing for the lawsuit filed by Chuu against BlockBerryCreative to confirm the non–existence of her exclusive contract with the agency, which was scheduled for March 16, was referred to mediation and therefore postponed. The mediation was held a week later on March 27, which failed after both parties were unable to reach a mutual agreement.

On April 7, Chuu signed an exclusive contract with ATRP, making it her the first person to do so.

On June 1, Chuu's lawsuit against Blockberry Creative continued with its fourth hearing, where it was determined that the case would conclude on August 17.

On July 25, Chuu announced her official fandom name, KKOTI. A teaser for her official lightstick, KKUKA was released the following day. Pre-orders opened on August 4.

On August 17, Chuu has won her case against BlockBerryCreative, gaining complete freedom from the company. The company filed an appeal regarding this decision, the hearing for which was held on the 8th of December.

On August 29, it was reported Chuu is preparing for the release of her solo album in October. Later that day, ATRP sent an official response confirming that they are “preparing in order to release Chuu's solo album in October”.

On September 18, the first teaser was revealed, announcing that her comeback mini-album *[Howl]'.*

On October 5, “Chuu 1st Tiny–Con ‘My Palace’” was announced on Chuu’s official social media. On October 18, Chuu released her first mini-album *[Howl]*, alongside the title track of the same name title track of the same name. On October 25, fromm released the official announcement for “2023 CHUU <Howl> in USA” poster on social media and WEVERSE.

On November 18, Chuu released a remake of the song “좋아 좋아 (I Like You)” for the single *[THE 시즌즈 VolⅡ. 10] <악뮤의 오날오밤> ReːWake x 츄 (CHUU)*. *.*

#### Another lawsuit

On November 23, Chuu’s mother was countersued by BlockBerryCreative for false allegations.

* In January, Chuu’s mother sued BlockBerryCreative for spreading false information stating that “Chuu hurt the other members by leaving a music video filming set on her own before filming was completed, and that Chuu’s family directly sent text messages to other LOONA members to take issue with their attitudes during activities”.
* According to the filed complaint against Chuu’s mother, BlockBerryCreative stated that her complaint “was clearly false in claiming that the described events never happened, claiming to have the *Kakaotalk* content in which Chuu’s mother took issue with the members’ attitudes and the Kakaotalk content regarding what happened on the music video filming set, and asserted that her suing for false allegations was clear grounds for a lawsuit”.

## Discography

### Collaborations

* “See Saw” (with Go Won, featuring Kim Lip) (2018)
* “Smile Man (스마일맨)” (with Serentium and Pink Noise) (2019)
* “World is One 2021” (with Kim Yo-han, featuring Eric Bellinger) (2021)
* “lullaby (자장가)” (with B.I) (2022)
* “Dear My Winter” (with george) (2022)
* “Let’s Love (썸밍아웃)” (with Kim Yo–han) (2023)

### OSTs

* “Wanna Grow Up (어른이 되고 싶어)” (2016)
* “Spring Flower (봄꽃)” (2020)
* “Hello (좋아서 그래)” (with Lee Hyeop) (2021)
* “Chuu Can Do It Theme Song” (2021)
* “Loving U (좋아서 좋아해)” (2021)
* “Brunch” (2022)
* “Confession (고백)” (2022)
* “Our Night is more beautiful than your Day (우리의 밤은 당신의 낮보다 아름답다)” (2023)

### Remakes

* “One and a Half (일과 이분의 일)” (2022)
* “I Like You (좋아 좋아)” (2022)

## Filmography

### Variety Shows

#### As Main Cast

 2020–2023
 2021

## References

1. ↑ loonatheworld 211126 VLIVE. “I recently measured my height. I am 161.3!” @23:31. VLIVE. 2021.11.26
2. ↑ Sometimes appears as “Hope (소망)” (eg. 2018 tweet). Her emotion is stated to be “Love (사랑)” in the “one” special video and LOONA’s 2019 10Star interview.
3. ↑  ChuuCanDoIt (ENG) 링피트 도전해봤는데요... 건강 안 지켜도 될 것 같아요.... YouTube. @1:15
4. ↑ /t͡ɕʰju/, *CHOO*
5. ↑ 190401 ize Spotlight: LOONA’s Chuu
6. ↑ 180910 SBS Love FM
7. ↑ 16???? Chuu Navilerra Cover
8. ↑ Chuu History Compilation by casker
9. ↑ S. Cho “LOONA’s Chuu To Not Participate In Group’s Upcoming 1st World Tour”. Soompi. 2022.03.02
10. ↑ “Notice of activities”. loonatheworldjp. 2022.07.25
11. ↑ Team Subbits. “[ENG] 221125 Fancafe Notice: Blockberry Creative expels and removes Chuu from LOONA”. 2022.11.25
12. ↑ loonapress. “Thread with every post defending Chuu after the removal announcement. Twitter. 2022.11.25
13. ↑ Team Subbits. “221219 Dispatch Exclusive: ‘Is it a Right? Or an Abuse of Power?’… The Whole Story Behind the Chuu and LOONA Situation”. Translation of original. 2022.12.18.
14. ↑ LitellJohnn. “Yeojin confirms that earnings distributions have not begun”. Twitter. 2022.09.23.
15. ↑ Korean: “너 초등학교 나왔지? 하하. 안 나온 거 아니지?”
16. ↑ The Seoul Story. “[UPDATE] Chuu to reportedly have a fresh start with new agency BY4M Studio after recently been removed from LOONA by BlockBerry Creative”. Translation of original. 2022.11.28
17. ↑ Team Subbits. “[News] Star News: Chuu vs Blockberry Contract Lawsuit Referred to Mediation (230314)”. Translation of original. 2023.03.14
18. ↑ Team Subbits. “[News] Star News: "Mediation between Chuu and Blockberry falls through" (230327)”. Translation of original. 2023.03.27
19. ↑ Team Subbits.“[News] [Official] Chuu signs exclusive contract with newly formed agency (230407)”. Translation of original. 2023.04.07
20. ↑ Team Subbits. “[News] Star News: Chuu’s lawsuit to conclude on August 17 (230601)”. Translation of original. 2023.06.01
21. ↑ Team Subbits. “[News] Star News: Chuu wins contract lawsuit against Blockberry (230817)”. Translation of original. 2023.08.17
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 “[News] Sports kyunghyang: "LOONA Chuu’s mother countersued by former agency" (231123)”. Team Subbits. 2023.11.23
23. ↑ orrery\_nim. “According to a SportsDonga report, plans are underway for #Chuu's solo debut in October”. Translation of original. 2023.08.29
24. ↑ orrery\_nim. “ATRP sent an official response confirming that they are "preparing in order to release Chuu's solo album in October"”. Translation of original. 2023.08.29
25. ↑ Credited as Kim Ji–woo