Esther Yu
Yu Shuxin, better known by her stage name Esther Yu, is a Chinese actress and singer. She is a former member of The9, the project girl group from iQIYI's survival show Youth With You 2. Yu has also gained recognition for her roles in the hit television series Find Yourself, Moonlight, Love Between Fairy and Devil, My Journey to You, Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, and ''Speed and Love''
Early life
Yu was born in Shanghai, China and is the only child in her family. Her grandfather was chairman of Xinyu Iron and Steel Group and her parents are business moguls who own several real estate, construction and steel companies. Yu herself is also a shareholder and owner of many businesses. For post-secondary education, she attended Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore and graduated with a degree in Fashion Media and Industries.Yu also attended and was recognized as a key sponsor of the Opening Ceremony for the President’s Charity Art Exhibition 2016 which was held on 11th November 2016 in the Fullerton Hotel, by President of the Republic of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam.
Career
2015–2019: Career beginnings
In 2015, Yu made her acting debut in the wuxia drama Border Town Prodigal, which premiered in 2016. She then subsequently gained recognition for her appearance in the variety program Grade One Freshman. In 2017, Yu continued to play supporting roles in the historical drama The Advisors Alliance, and romance family drama Ordinary Years.In 2018, Yu played her first leading role in the coming-of-age drama Youth, adapted from the 2016 South Korean drama Hello, My Twenties. In 2019, she starred as a happy-go-lucky actress in the romantic comedy drama ''My Amazing Boyfriend 2.''
2020–present: Rising popularity
In 2020, Yu participated in the variety program Youth With You 2 and became one of the most popular trainees on the show. She successfully debuted as a member of temporary girl group The9 on May 30, 2020.That same year, Yu gained popularity and recognition with her role as a lovable university student in the hit romance drama Find Yourself, and was nominated for the Audience's Choice award at the 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award. She later portrayed a quirky female investigator in the well-received historical romance I've Fallen For You, and appeared as a recurring guest role in the drama A Love So Romantic. In the 2020 Forbes China Under 30 Elite list, she was included as a notable actress for the Entertainment and Sports industry.
In 2021, Yu starred as a newcomer editor in the romantic comedy drama Moonlight, opposite Ding Yuxi. On December 5, 2021, The9 officially disbanded.
In 2022, Yu starred as a lively and innocent immortal in the widely popular fantasy romance drama Love Between Fairy and Devil, and as a fashion blogger with an Ornithology PhD in the environmental romance drama A Romance of the Little Forest.
In 2023, Yu starred in Sword and Fairy, adapted from the popular Chinese RPG game of the same name, and the historical wuxia drama My Journey to You. She made an appearance in Feng Xiaogang's new film If You Are the One 3. In 2024, she was the female lead for another fantasy historical drama titled Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, reuniting with Ding Yuxi, aired on November 1, 2024.
In 2025, she was the female lead in the romantic sports drama Ski into Love, aired on March 11, 2025. She also was the female lead in the romantic drama Speed and Love, aired on December 12, 2025.
Filmography
Film
Television series
Variety shows
Discography
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | CHN | Album |
| "Stars" | 2016 | — | Grade One Freshman OST |
| "Finally One Day" | 2016 | — | Grade One Freshman OST |
| "Love Problem" | 2019 | — | My Amazing Boyfriend 2 OST |
| "Ever Since I Met You" | 2020 | — | I've Fallen For You OST |
| "Gwalla" | 2020 | — | MatriX |
| "Here's Chu Li" | 2021 | 71 | Moonlight OST |
| "Loss of Memory" | 2022 | 56 | Love Between Fairy and Devil OST |
| "Wish to be with You" | 2022 | 59 | Promotional song for Love Between Fairy and Devil |
| "All Seems The Same" | 2022 | 71 | A Romance of the Little Forest OST |
| "Sunny Day After The Rain" | 2022 | — | A Romance of the Little Forest OST |
| "Oh My" | 2023 | — | 1st mini album Esther |
| "Unfinished to be Continued" | 2023 | 83 | 1st mini album Esther |
| "Bestow Dreams" | 2023 | 61 | My Journey to You OST |
| "Try Everything" | 2023 | — | Promotional song for Shanghai Disney Resort |
| "Hope" | 2024 | — | Sword and Fairy 6 OST |
| "Pray" | 2024 | — | Sword and Fairy 6 OST |
| "Surge" | 2024 | 22 | Love Game in Eastern Fantasy OST |
| "Moonlight Thoughts" | 2024 | 7 | Promotional song for Love Game in Eastern Fantasy |
| "Spicy Honey" | 2024 | 9 | 1st studio album Spicy Honey |
| "Laffy Taffy" | 2024 | 77 | 1st studio album Spicy Honey |
| "How Not To Be" | 2024 | 99 | 1st studio album Spicy Honey |
| "Girls Night Out" | 2024 | — | 1st studio album Spicy Honey |
| "Last One Standing" | 2024 | — | 1st studio album Spicy Honey |
| "Spicy Honey" | 2024 | 51 | 1st studio album Spicy Honey |
| "Laffy Taffy" | 2024 | 76 | 1st studio album Spicy Honey |
| "True Love" | 2024 | 98 | 1st studio album Spicy Honey |