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Cover Feature | THE9’s Yu Shuxin: This Youth Mentor Doesn’t Go Easy

by 覃仙球 InStyle优家
2021-03-10 21:29

This Youth Mentor Has a Serious Side
MISS SUNSHINE
THE9 – Yu Shuxin

Becoming famous isn’t just some mystical stroke of luck. Every year, talent shows are flooded with contestants, yet only a handful truly stand out and are remembered. Beyond luck, it’s individual charisma that makes all the difference—and Yu Shuxin is living proof of that.

Among the contestants on Youth With You 2 last year, Yu Shuxin was one of the most unforgettable. Less than a year after debuting with the group, she has already emerged as a rising star—a breakout new-generation idol with both popularity and standout work to her name.

Endless Banter, Endless Memes

When we first saw Yu Shuxin in the makeup room, there was still a trace of sleepiness on her face. Her packed schedule had left her seriously sleep-deprived. But she was all smiles—no trace of irritation or fatigue. By the time the interview started, she was more energetic than anyone in the room. With a swift reach, she grabbed the interview outline and immediately launched into her now-iconic routine: the legendary “Yu Shuxin interviews Yu Shuxin.” Yes, it’s already a meme.

To keep her from answering every single question on her own, we had to interrupt with something that wasn’t on the script: “Are you just really good at interviewing yourself? ” She grinned. “It’s not that I’m good at it. It’s just that sometimes the questions get repetitive, and I find that kind of boring. I guess I really crave novelty. If I’ve said something a few times already, I get too lazy to say it again. But that’s just part of being in this industry—people are going to ask the same things in different settings. So if I have something new to say, I say it. If I don’t, I’ll stick to the script. I just think it’s better if each platform gets something different. That’s part of being responsible about your work, right?” She blinked wide-eyed, throwing the question back with total sincerity.

She really is different from most newly debuted artists. While many fear getting thrown off by unexpected questions—ones they don’t know how to answer—Esther dreads the opposite: the cliché, predictable kind that lack any spark of originality.

Yu Shuxinhas never been one to coast through work—something she proved in Youth With You 2. From the very first episode, she was already drawing attention and generating buzz; she has never slacked off throughout the whole process, and her stage performance has made visible leaps in each episode.

“As someone from the production team once told me, what made people grow to like me in the end was that I never flopped on stage—not even once. Because the moment you slip up or forget a move, the audience will say you’re not good enough, and they’ll start holding you to even higher standards. If your personality is more loud or bubbly offstage, people might assume you’re spoiled or can’t handle tough situations. But my so-called ‘spoiled’ image is really just the way I speak. In reality, I can endure a lot. When I do lose my temper sometimes at work, it’s not because I’m throwing a fit—it’s because I have high standards. I expect a lot from myself.”

Skill Equals Spotlight

With the launch of the 2021 talent show Youth With You 3, Yu Shuxin returned to the very stage where her dreams began—this time, not as a contestant, but as a youth mentor. “It makes me really happy to be able to pass on some of my own experiences to the junior trainees,” she said. “If it helps them improve and apply it in their own journey, then it’s all worth it.” For this important new role, she came fully prepared.

“I looked up old training videos on my phone and organized tips that could help them improve more quickly. And of course—” she grinned, “I also prepared lots of beautiful outfits.” She approached mentoring with the same level of dedication and detail she’s known for—down to every look and lesson.

This season, the contestants were no longer a diverse group of girls, but instead a lively crew of energetic boys. In the early episodes, as each trainee made their debut, it was clear that some had already taken cues from their senior Yu Shuxin—trying hard to create standout moments on camera. But even then, the buzz they generated still fell short of the impact Esther once made.

When asked if she’d found any trainees with a personality similar to her own, Yu Shuxin shook her head without hesitation: “Nope. Just me.” “There are definitely some who are cute and funny,” she added, “but I’ve told them many times: unless your stage performance is solid, your humor won’t land. Being funny alone isn’t enough.” Yu Shuxin firmly believes this—and in a rare show of seriousness, she didn’t hold back from giving her “little brothers” a reality check, reminding them not to slack off when it comes to their core skills.

“I’m generally a pretty cheerful person,” Yu Shuxin said, “but I actually have a very serious side too—it’s just that side usually gets edited out. And when it comes to the harsher truths, it’s usually me who says them, because others might be afraid of ‘hurting’ these boys’ young and fragile hearts. But I know this short window is probably the fastest time they’ll ever grow. It’s rare to get an opportunity like this again.” She paused, then added with a half-laugh, “I’m the type who gets frustrated when someone has potential but isn’t living up to it. I feel like I have to push them. So I lay out the tough truths from the start, hoping they’ll—ugh, I’m so tired, what am I even saying? ”She yawned mid-sentence, clearly running on low battery. Even her exhaustion came off as endearing.

Puffing her cheeks and shaking her head to wake herself up, Yu Shuxin quickly shifted back into mentor mode: “I keep telling them, you’ve got to push harder. Back in our season, everyone worked so hard. I feel like sometimes, if no one gives boys a little extra push, they don’t necessarily apply themselves as much as girls do. So I tell them, —Please, just work harder. Everyone’s staying up late to support you, but in the end, you’re the ones who’ll get the spotlight. And if you don’t put in the effort now, you won’t book jobs later.” She hesitated for a second and asked, half-jokingly, “Can you even print this? ” “But really, that’s exactly what I told them.”

Being a mentor might look a lot more comfortable than being a trainee, but Yu Shuxin doesn’t let herself relax too much. “I heard some of the trainees whispering things like, ‘Senior Esther looks so happy—she just sits there watching performances and goes up to say a few words, then leaves.’ But there are easy parts and there are hard parts,” she explained.

“The hard part is figuring out how to be different from who I was when I was a trainee—how to really reflect on my past experience and offer something that’s actually useful to them. I have to think about whether what I say is something they can really apply. I can’t just ramble—I know I talk a lot, but that kind of talk doesn’t help them. Most of them may not be super skilled yet, but there are definitely some who are more talented than I was. So how do I earn their respect? That’s a real challenge.” She added with conviction, “I work hard on my own solo stages too. After finishing a full day of work, I still go to the practice room and rehearse for three or four more hours into the middle of the night.”

More Than Just a “Dramatic” Label

When Yu Shuxin first joined the show as a mentor, she was genuinely worried she might have “androphobia”—a fear of men—since she’d had very little interaction with boys growing up.
“But when I saw them, especially since I was mentoring the beginner class, I just felt like their eyes were so innocent and sweet. They all felt like little brothers to me—pure and harmless—so I naturally started treating them like my own younger siblings.”

She became the group’s warm-hearted “big sister,” someone who not only motivated the trainees but comforted them too. “When I was on Youth With You 2, I was always the one doing the comforting. I had to comfort people during the day, at night, after rankings came out, and whenever someone got a low stage score. Now I just direct that energy toward these boys—encouraging them and saying warm and reassuring things. Of course, once in a while, I have to give them a wake-up call too.”

Despite being the comforter for others, Yu Shuxin rarely needs comforting herself. “I’m really good at comforting myself,” she said with a grin. “I’ve got a pretty easygoing mindset, so I don’t really need anyone to cheer me up.”

Her philosophy is simple: happiness first. She does her best not to let negativity or overthinking get to her and keeps her inner world light and uncomplicated. “I don’t overanalyze things. If I want to go somewhere, I go. If I want to do something, I just do it.” That carefree attitude is part of what made her stand out among the sea of contestants back then—and still does today.

Although she often comes across as hyper and effortlessly entertaining in front of the camera, Yu Shuxin admits that she’s actually been stage-shy since she was a kid. “I used to get nervous just giving a speech or performing on stage—and honestly, I still get stage fright at big events. I’ll always start with, ‘I’m really nervous,’ but once I say it out loud, the nerves go away. It’s like casting a spell,” she laughed. “I think it’s a kind of mental trick. I adapt quickly. Once I’m up there for two or three minutes, I forget I was ever nervous at all. I guess after going to so many big events, the smaller ones don’t faze me anymore.”

Once she’s past the nerves, though, she tends to go full-speed—talking non-stop, letting her imagination run wild. “I’ve always had a big imagination, since I was little. And it shows when I act, too. I really do have a wild imagination.” Of course, some people think she comes off as “too much” or overly dramatic. “But this really is how I talk in real life!” she said, looking playfully innocent. “Not everyone’s going to like you. Even back in school, there were classmates who didn’t like you, right? I just don’t care that much whether people like me or not. If you like me, great, let’s hang out. If you don’t, that’s fine too. It’s not like I’m going to walk up to you and say, ‘I hate you.’”

She believes there’s much more to her than just the “dramatic” label people often stick on her.
“Over time, more and more fans have come to realize that I’m not just some ditsy, sweet girl. Sure, I do have my ‘silly-cute’ moments now and then—but I’m actually someone with a lot of thoughts and opinions. I always tell people I’m super smart,” she said with a laugh, “but they don’t believe me. Maybe it’s because I look too cute.” She shrugged, as if to say, What can you do?

Like many, she once fangirled over celebrities too—but even in that, she was incredibly diligent.
“When I stan someone, I do it as seriously as I work.” Hard work and ambition, she believes, are sides of her that deserve to be seen more often.

InStyle × THE9 – Yu Shuxin
MISS SUNSHINE
Reaching Higher, Even Against Myself
Q&A Special

InStyle: When you first entered the industry, did you feel overwhelmed or find it too exhausting to adjust?
Yu Shuxin: I don’t think I felt that way early on. Back then, there wasn’t that much work yet. It’s only recently—after gaining more popularity—that my schedule has become packed and there’s been less time to rest. But honestly, it’s still better than having no work at all.

InStyle: At what point did you realize that this job wasn’t just “fun and games,” but something you had to take very seriously?
Yu Shuxin: When fans started doing things for me that really touched me—or when I realized that even the tiniest gesture I made could receive so much public attention—that’s when I understood the weight of being a public figure. It made me feel like I have a social responsibility now. Sometimes I also feel like I should do more charity work, because even a small act on my part might have a big ripple effect.

InStyle: Were you ever overwhelmed by all the attention at the beginning?
Yu Shuxin: Not really. But I was definitely surprised when even the tiniest, most trivial things about me got so much attention. I’d be like, “Oh my god, why is everyone so obsessed with this?” But then I’d just shrug it off—like, well, I guess that’s part of the deal, and in a way, it’s also a good thing, right?

InStyle: Who do you look up to as role models in the entertainment industry?
Yu Shuxin: Honestly, I’ve always said—I don’t compare myself to others. I only compare myself to who I was yesterday. I focus on constantly improving my own foundation. Of course, if someone else is really good at something, I’ll learn from them too, but I don’t have a fixed “role model” because everyone is evolving. Someone might not be that impressive today, but then release an amazing piece of work tomorrow—that’s when you learn from them. And if they’re not as strong the day after, you move on to someone else. It’s all fluid.

InStyle: What do you think are the key traits needed to have staying power in this industry?
Yu Shuxin: I think kindness is really important. Emotional intelligence too. And then just hard work—and building a body of work, steadily.

InStyle: Has your emotional intelligence improved over time—like a clear shift from low to high?Yu Shuxin: Not really. Some people say I have high EQ, some say it’s low—I don’t really care either way. I’m not lying awake at night wondering, “Is my EQ high enough?” I genuinely never think about stuff like that.

InStyle: When you’re faced with harsh or unfair criticism, do you get angry?
Yu Shuxin: In the moment, yeah—I’ll feel misunderstood and a bit angry. But I always have a whole list of ways to talk myself through it. Once I’ve calmed myself down, I’m over it. I’m not someone who holds grudges. I don’t carry negative feelings overnight.

CREDITS:

Photography / 黎晓亮 
Production & Styling / Jal Lu
Editor / 吕旻
Producer / 梗梗（ASTUDIO）
Makeup / 杨单
Hair / 贺志国 
Interview & Text / 覃仙球
Photography Assistants / 刘姝凝、Peri
Design / YAN
Special Thanks to Max Mara

InStyle优家画报 21-3-7 17:01

#YouthMentorYuShuxin
THE9-YuShuxin is saying hi to you from our cover shoot set~ ✨ This time, what dazzling look will our shining Xinxinzi bring to the cover?

InStyle优家画报 21-3-8 17:00

Fame isn’t just some mysterious force—it’s not all about luck. What matters even more is having a distinct personal charm. THE9-YuShuxin is living proof of that. Now returning as a Youth Mentor, what kind of surprise will this transformed YuShuxin bring us? Find out at the link in bio! Pre-sale link is in the comments~ #InStyleSuperstar #EstherYuFruitFairyPhotoshoot

InStyle优家画报 21-3-9 10:00

THE9-YuShuxin’s #InStyleYoujiaWeekly# cover has just been revealed. #YuShuxinMintSpringCover

Among the contestants on Youth With You 2, YuShuxin stood out as one of the most unforgettable. Less than a year after debuting, she’s already become a breakout idol of her generation—both popular and prolific.

With the launch of Youth With You 3 in 2021, -YuShuxin returned to the show that made her dream a reality—this time, as a Youth Mentor. “It makes me happy to be able to pass on some of my own experience to these younger trainees, to help them grow and improve,” she shared.

InStyle优家画报 21-3-9 12:40

THE9-YuShuxin’s #InStyleYoujiaWeekly# cover shoot is officially out! Throughout the shoot, YuShuxin’s focus and professionalism were on full display. She struck pose after pose with ease, and whenever a photo turned out just right, she’d break into pure, childlike laughter at the praise around her. #YuShuxinMintSpringCover

Reflecting on her own experience in the survival show, she shared: “Maybe it’s because the girls from our season were just incredibly strong—talented and hardworking. The boys this season have unlimited potential. After so many days on the show, I think the difference between where they started and where they’ll end up will be huge. They’ve got so much room to grow.” Esther continues to believe in and cheer on her junior trainees, full of confidence in what they’ll become. #YuShuxinFruitFairyPhotoshoot

1. Cover Feature | THE9’s Yu Shuxin: This Youth Mentor Doesn’t Go Easy – https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/PXiQsPCKYKHEocdSmASBwg
2. InStyle优家画报 Weibo: https://weibo.com/uplusweekly
3. nStyle优家画报 21-3-7 17:01 – https://weibo.com/1666485652/K56ihqMcB
4. InStyle优家画报 21-3-8 17:00 – https://weibo.com/1666485652/K5fIqmsP1
5. InStyle优家画报 21-3-9 10:00 – https://weibo.com/1666485652/K5mo4ETkA
6. InStyle优家画报 21-3-9 12:40 – https://weibo.com/1666485652/K5nr4Bga7