A former Girls Planet 999 contestant is making headlines once again but this time, not only for her music career.
Gu Yizhou, who first caught viewers’ attention during Mnet’s 2021 survival show, has gone viral after fans rediscovered that she continues to create BL (Boys’ Love) fan art while pursuing her career as an idol. The unexpected combination has earned her the affectionate nickname “Fujoshi Queen” across social media.
When Girls Planet 999 premiered in 2021, Gu Yizhou represented the show’s C-Group, which consisted of Chinese trainees. Although she was eliminated before the final lineup that debuted as Kep1er, she left a lasting impression through her memorable self-introduction. During the segment, she performed a scene from a popular musical and showcased illustrations inspired by her favorite animated series, highlighting her artistic talent beyond singing and dancing.
Her unique personality quickly made her one of the show’s most recognizable contestants despite her relatively short run.
Following her elimination from Girls Planet 999, Gu Yizhou continued chasing her dream in the entertainment industry. She later appeared on the Chinese dance competition Great Dance Crew, though she was eliminated before the finale. In 2024, she officially debuted under the stage name Yowa as a member of the underground girl group Carol, marking a new chapter in her idol career.
While building her music career, Gu Yizhou has remained active on Chinese social media, where she regularly posts her artwork. According to fans, many of her illustrations feature Boys’ Love (BL) pairings, particularly from popular fandoms such as the Chinese animated series Link Click. Some online users have described the artwork as yaoi-inspired fan art, leading to widespread discussion and the viral “Fujoshi Queen” nickname.
Interestingly, her passion for drawing wasn’t hidden from the beginning. During Girls Planet 999, she had already introduced artwork based on her favorite animated series, giving viewers an early glimpse of the hobby that continues to define part of her online identity.
As clips and images of Gu Yizhou resurfaced online, many longtime viewers were surprised to learn that she had successfully debuted as an idol.
Others discovered her for the first time through the viral discussion, expressing excitement over her unconventional combination of artistic talent and idol activities. The renewed attention has also introduced more people to Carol’s music, with fans encouraging others to check out the group’s releases.
Unlike many former survival show contestants who disappear from the spotlight, Gu Yizhou has continued pursuing entertainment through multiple creative outlets. Between performing as Yowa in Carol and sharing her fan artwork online, she has carved out a distinctive identity that blends music, illustration, and fandom culture an unusual combination that has once again put her in the spotlight years after Girls Planet 999 ended.
Sources: Koreaboo