Working In Progress

Hot on the outside, cold on the inside? Or cold on the outside, warm on the inside?
Let Zhao Xiaotang and Yu Shuxin tell you.

by Leon Chang, MiniBAZAAR
2020-06-11 18:00

(Note: I’ll be translating only Shuxin’s parts and highlights.)

No more masks — it’s time to be our true selves.

In an era where idols are expected to craft personas and wear masks, they boldly choose to be unapologetically themselves. They don’t change to fit others’ expectations, nor do they force an image for the camera. They speak freely, without filters — on and off camera, they show their true selves, acting with confidence and expressing with joy.

When asked to describe their personalities using a season, both girls, without hesitation, chose “summer.”

Yu Shuxin, who is fiery and enthusiastic yet clearly knows who she’s close to. She’s a charmingly sweet and playful Shanghai darling. Together they make up this bright and sunny new landscape in June.

MiniBAZAAR in conversation with Yu Shuxin and Zhao Xiaotang
From north to south, let’s take a look at these two girls’ declarations of authenticity — and the “revolutionary friendship” forged through playful banter.

Q&A Part of Zhao Xiaotang mentioning Yu Shuxin.

Q: As a person who speaks frankly, how did you become good friends with Yu Shuxin?
A: Our inner personalities are opposite. I’m not that emotionally mature and tend to need support. Although Yu Shuxin seems sweet and cutesy on the outside, she is very mature on the inside. So, in many ways, we take care of each other. I look after her in daily life, and she supports me emotionally. She often says to me, “Everything happens for the best.” And honestly, she’s always right — things really do turn out that way.

Q: What’s been the biggest challenge for you and Esther Yu during your weight loss journey?
A: We made a bet — whoever loses 10 jin (about 5 kg) first gets 2,000 yuan from the other. As for obstacles, I think cutting out sugar makes people unhappy. Actually, during those few days when Yu Shuxin was only eating cucumbers, she was unhappy and a little irritable, but she’s good at adjusting on her own and doesn’t need us to step in. I usually don’t try to persuade her either, because I know a real friend is someone who lets you do what’s best for yourself.

Esther Yu: Warm on the outside, cool on the inside—“I’m“ not trying to be a saint.”

Q: How do you deal with an actor’s sensitivity in everyday life?
Yu Shuxin: I can be really sensitive sometimes. If I sense that someone around me is unhappy, I’ll immediately go comfort her. But at other times, I can be a bit clueless — I’ll focus too much on observing one person and end up unintentionally neglecting others.

But it is impossible for a person to be perfect in everything all the time, if that were the case wouldn't I become a saint? After all, no one is perfect.

Q: What was it like performing on the same stage as your idol Lisa?
Yu Shuxin: Honestly, I was already so happy just to be chosen by Teacher Lisa.
Even though we were far apart, I believe that “no distance is too far” — our hearts were connected. I really miss her. It’s been so long since we last met. I still want to ask her for a photo together.

"If it’s just about body shape, I can always lose weight by going hungry for a few days later.
But if I can’t perform well on stage, then what’s the point of being that skinny?"

Q: What’s been the biggest challenge during your weight loss journey?
Yu Shuxin: With such intense training and chaotic daily schedules here, it’s basically impossible not to eat. So I ask myself — is it more important to have strength and professional ability on stage, or just a slim figure?

Q: Is there anything you want to say to your good friend Zhao Xiaotang?
Yu Shuxin: She’s a lot like me — easily fired up and prone to blurting things out, even more unfiltered than I am sometimes, which can rub people the wrong way. But I see a younger version of myself in her. Even though I’ve still held on to my original self, I’ve already been through some harsh realities. She hasn’t yet. I’m really grateful we met on the very first day of this show. Over the past six months, we’ve become like family. Every night when I return to the dorm and see her, I feel very relieved to see her.

Q: If you had to describe your personality with a season, which one would you choose and why?
Yu Shuxin: Summer. Because I’m passionate. I’m the kind of person who’s warm on the outside but cool on the inside. I’m friendly to everyone, but it’s not easy for people to truly get close to my heart. I know the difference between best friend and good friend. I clearly distinguish between “best friends” and “good friends.” My best friends are Zhao Xiaotang and Kong Xue’er — I’ve given my love to just the two of them. I divide my love between them.

CREDITS:

Editor: Angela Zhou、高冷
Writer: 詹婧
Photographer: Julian Song
Stylist: Lindsay Yuan
Hair: Parco
Makeup: Jonathan
Project Coordination: 33、詹婧、丁琳、余璐
Wardrobe Coordinator: 蒲安
External Producer: 山山
Proofreader: 凌佳宁

MiniBAZAAR时尚芭莎电子刊 20-6-3 12:30

#Harper’s BAZAAR June Issue #BazaarVStar
After enduring countless challenges on stage, congratulations to Yu and Zhao Xiaotang on debuting together as part of THE9~ Drop the personas, be yourself!
Whether it’s cold outside, warm inside, or warm outside, cool inside — both are the truest forms of self-expression. The end of their Youth With You 2 journey marks the beginning of a brand new chapter as members of THE9. Friendship lasts, and the future is full of promise.

芭莎视频BazaarV 20-6-3 12:34

#Harper’s BAZAAR June Issue #BazaarVStar
After enduring countless challenges on stage, congratulations to Yu and Zhao Xiaotang on debuting together as part of THE9~ Drop the personas; be yourself!
Whether it’s cold outside, warm inside, or warm outside, cool inside — both are the truest forms of self-expression. The end of their Youth With You 2 journey marks the beginning of a brand new chapter as members of THE9. Friendship lasts, and the future is full of promise.

MiniBAZAAR时尚芭莎电子刊 20-6-3 13:00

#Harper’s BAZAAR June Issue #BazaarVStar
What kind of sparks fly when the adorable Shanghai girl Yu Shuxin meets the outspoken Beijing girl Zhao Xiaotang? Through their journey of self-expression, a deep and genuine friendship formed between the two — ignoring the noise around them, staying true to themselves, and moving forward with courage. The promise to “be neighbors forever” will never be forgotten.

芭莎视频BazaarV 20-6-3 13:07

#Harper’s BAZAAR June Issue #BazaarVStar
What kind of sparks fly when the adorable Shanghai girl Yu Shuxin meets the outspoken Beijing girl Zhao Xiaotang? Through their journey of self-expression, a deep and genuine friendship formed between the two — ignoring the noise around them, staying true to themselves, and moving forward with courage. The promise to “be neighbors forever” will never be forgotten.

1. Hot on the outside, cold on the inside? Or cold on the outside, warm on the inside? Let Zhao Xiaotang and Esther Yu Shuxin tell you: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/4bvVxCCDRaR-xucRIrf42Q
   NOTE: The English-translated sections include only Shuxin’s highlights and general descriptions from the magazine article. Please click the link to read the full article.
2. MiniBAZAAR时尚芭莎电子刊 Weibo: https://weibo.com/bazaarmedia
3. 芭莎视频BazaarV: https://weibo.com/u/6368299126
4. MiniBAZAAR时尚芭莎电子刊 20-6-3 12:30 – https://weibo.com/2646714407/J4UAKDck6
5. 芭莎视频BazaarV 20-6-3 12:34 – https://weibo.com/6368299126/J4UCAp48S
6. MiniBAZAAR时尚芭莎电子刊 20-6-3 13:00 – https://weibo.com/2646714407/J4UMWccDo
7. 芭莎视频BazaarV 20-6-3 13:07 – https://weibo.com/6368299126/J4UPY8DFW