Working In Progress

NeufMode × THE9’s Yu Shuxi | Lightly Moving Forward

by Koma 九号摩登
2021-11-16 22:00

When she found out that the theme of the shoot was “On the Road,” Yu Shuxin’s first reaction was, “That’s perfect for me! I always feel like I’m on the road—finishing one thing with all my effort, then immediately rushing off to the next without a moment’s rest.”

Despite constantly being busy, Yu Shuxin never feels tired. She says the current pace of life is exactly how she likes it. If she could choose, her ideal state of living would be “so busy that I don’t have time to regret, no time to hesitate—just pushing forward with everything I’ve got.”

In mythology, Sisyphus was condemned to endlessly push a massive boulder uphill—a fate often seen as the ultimate tragedy. But with Esther Yu, it’s as if she has the power to turn everything in the world into a comedy. She consistently carries a rare sense of lightness, never transmitting anxiety or pressure, as if she’s fully charged at all times, wherever she goes.

Zhihu user Snow once wrote, “What I like about her is that untouched quality… that kind of unguarded, unaffected openness.” As for Esther Yu herself, she says, “The biggest change since my debut might just be that nothing has really changed. A lot of people ask how I’m always so full of energy—well, it’s because the moments when I don’t have energy pass by so quickly. One second I’m shouting ‘I’m so tired,’ and the next, I’m not tired anymore.”

In an era where so many young people feel overwhelmed and long to “lie flat” and opt out, it’s exactly someone like Esther Yu—always brimming with energy, even a little loud, animated, and never sitting still for a second—that people can’t help but love. There’s a vibrant, ever-growing vitality in her that makes her so refreshing. The way she expresses herself so freely in front of the camera passes that same life force on to everyone watching.

As a Sagittarius, Esther Yu describes herself as someone with a deep longing for freedom—but at her core, she’s remarkably rational: the most emotional kind of rationalist. Fittingly, in her recently wrapped drama A Romance of the Little Forest, the character she plays, “Yu Meiren,” is exactly that kind of person.

“She’s a beauty vlogger and a PhD in ornithology—two completely different identities that blend both emotion and reason. She loves fiercely, hates decisively, and is full of charm.” When describing her character, Esther Yu emphasizes that being fashionable and loving beauty isn’t at all contradictory to being the so-called “top academic girl.”

“Some people asked me how I portrayed the duality and contrast in this character, but honestly, I don’t think that’s the right way to approach it,” Esther Yu explained. “Yu Meiren’s two identities might look very different on the surface, but they’re both part of her real life—they’re not some kind of abrupt ‘transformation’ or split. So when I was acting, I tried to weave all those traits naturally into who she is. Just like all of us, really—we each have more than one interest. I love fashion and beauty, but at the same time, I’m also into sea fishing!”

In the drama, Yu Meiren is a beauty and fashion expert—something that mirrors Esther Yu herself and gives her more creative room to explore the role. Esther admits that many of the details around Yu Meiren’s outfits, accessories, hairstyles, and makeup were shaped by her own input. On set, she often worked closely with the crew, discussing how to present Yu Meiren in a more natural and authentic way across different situations—making sure each look aligned with the character’s profession, identity, and skillset in the story.

As The9’s graduation concert approaches, Esther Yu has been consistently working hard on her singing and dancing, pushing herself to improve. “It often feels like I’ve done a month’s worth of work in just three days,” she says. Aware of how quickly time flies, Esther chooses not to dwell on sadness or dwell in futility—instead, she focuses on keeping the mood light and lively. “Every time we get together, I make sure to take lots of photos and videos, capturing all the noise and joy as a way to remember it all.”

When people talk about Esther Yu, she hopes they’ll always see her as someone who is joyful, hardworking, and genuinely lovable.

Esther Yu charges ahead with fearless energy, never afraid of the unknown or of challenges. “To me, the unknown is always a kind of surprise. I believe that there will always be something good waiting for me in the future.”

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: 龙梓嘉, LK刘珂
Supervising Producers: 暖小暖Iria, 朱小哼Tracy
Creative Planning & Styling: 思益文
Makeup Artist: 穆建明
Hair Stylist: 发型师高鹏
Producer: 张五飞 at RSOM
Lead Coordinator: 王兔兔
Styling Assistant: 雨晨
Design: ruyi
New Media: 5yan
Interview & Copywriting: Koma

LANVIN 21-12-20 19:00

Get swept away by her irresistible feline charm! THE9-Yu Shuxin stuns in the new digital feature by NeufMode, carrying the LANVIN CAT HOBO bag and wearing a feathered dress from the #LANVIN Fall/Winter 2021 collection. The sleek black-and-gold bag perfectly offsets the dreamy pastel tones of the dress, revealing just the right touch of youthful allure. #RideTheWave—Now’s the moment!

ZIMMERMANN 21-11-18 12:15

THE9-YuShuxin appears in @NeufMode’s latest shoot wearing a tasseled maxi dress from the #ZIMMERMANN Fall 2021 Ready-to-Wear Collection. A dazzling encounter with poetic elegance—pure, refined, and effortlessly graceful.

1. NeufMode × THE9’s Yu Shuxi | Lightly Moving Forward: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Z9yw3UxJzvcevlk0CzRWKA
2. NeufMode九号摩登 Weibo: https://weibo.com/u/6503687233
3. LANVIN 21-12-20 19:00 – https://weibo.com/6980257751/L6WGX5FQD
4. ZIMMERMANN 21-11-18 12:15 – https://weibo.com/7074289284/L22n0xIBR?refer_flag=1001030103_