Choi Yeo-jin was born in South Korea, but after her parents divorced, they emigrated to Canada when she was in the first year of middle school.

[citation needed] She debuted in the entertainment business via the Super Elite Model Contest held in Canada in 2001.

Choi went on a leave of absence from George Brown College (she was majoring in Hotel Management) to pursue an entertainment career in Korea.

She has since starred in several television series, like Dream High 2, and films, notably Surgeon Bong Dal-hee, Golden Bride, My Woman, More Charming by the Day and I Need Romance.

[citation needed] In 2012 she gained popularity due to her stint on reality show Dancing with the Stars, taking the top spot six times out of 11 competitions, and eventually winning.