SHUA

Shimizu Shua (Korean: 시미즈 슈아, Kanji: 清水州あ, born June 29, 2001) known professionally by the mononym Shua (Hangul: 슈아), is a British-born Japanese singer, dancer and model based in South Korea. She is known for placing first in the first season of popular trainee survival show PRODUCE, created by MNET, and being in the group ST✹R. She is also known for being in RETRO FUTURE, the 2017 girl group under JYP Entertainment.

Early Life
Shimizu was born in London to Japanese parents Shimizu Shika and Shimizu Akuo in summer of 2001. She lived in South London until she passed the JYP Online Audition of 2011 at 10 years old. She moved to Korea the same year, cutting off education and starting again after a short break. As of 2020, she has graduated from Hanlim Arts School. In 2019, it was reported that she holds a dual Japanese and British citizenship. In 2014, Shu went viral in South Korea for her good looks as her yearbook photo was leaked. She built up a large fandom due to this. She was also in the JYP Nation Trainee System.

Pre-Debut
Shua moved to South Korea on the 17th October 2011, and started training. She was popular among the agency for her visuals and all-rounder talents. She was also known for being friends with everyone. In December of 2014, Shua went viral with K-NETs due to her visuals as her yearbook photo was leaked.

Produce
Along with label-mate SOMI, Shua was sent to Produce as a representative for JYP Entertainment. She made her debut to her trainers with Taeyeon's 'I Blame On You', with a self-choreographed dance. She got a grade of F and a re-evaluated grade of A. She was known throughout the PRODUCE girls for her fairy-like ethereal looks and powerhouse talents. She placed first on PRODUCE with 1,079,232 votes, making her the centre of ST✹R. Shua debuted with ST✹R on the 29th July 2015, with title track 'VIOLETA' along with mini-album 'FLOWER!'.

Refusal of extension & departure from YMC
In 2017, Shua refused to extend her contract with YMC. YMC offered Shua a dual trainee opportunity, meaning Shua would debut under YMC, but would train using JYP’s facilities and hub. That meant that Shua would not debut in a JYP group, but in a YMC group. Shua refused this and returned to JYP. ST✹R officially disbanded on 1st January 2017, after their first album’s (HASANGSORI) release and promotions.

Debut in RETRO FUTURE
In May of 2017, JYPE announced their new girl group consisting of 7 members, one of these being Shua. Shua debuted for the second time on the 18th of June 2017 with RETRO FUTURE with ‘RUSSIAN ROULETTE’ as part of their mini-album ‘LOVE IS (NOT) A GAME’. Shua was no longer the centre but is the main vocalist, main dancer and visual. ‘RUSSIAN ROULETTE’ performed a chart all-kill and won SOTY at the 2017 MAMA.

Relationships
On 8th of March 2021, Dispatch revealed that Shua has been dating Na Jaemin of NCT since March of 2020. Both SM and JYP accepted the rumours 10 hours after the first circulation. Fans happily accepted the relationship.