Yukika Teramoto (寺本 來可, Teramoto Yukika, born February 16, 1993), also known mononymously as Yukika (Korean: 유키카; Japanese: ユキカ), is a Japanese actress, voice actress, singer, and former model. After successfully auditioning for Nicola in 2006, she became an exclusive model for the magazine until 2009. In 2007, she made her acting debut in the live-action drama adaptation of ChocoMimi and released music under the name Choco & Mimi with Kayano Masuyama. From 2009 to 2012, Teramoto began voice acting in several anime and video game series, most notably Rouge Clafoutis from Dog Days, Chiri Nakazato from Seitokai Yakuindomo, and Kaname Nonomiya from Gal Gun.
After taking a hiatus in 2012 to focus on her university studies, Teramoto returned to entertainment in 2015. In 2016, she appeared in the South Korean drama The Idolmaster KR and debuted in the tie-inKorean idolgirl group Real Girls Project. In 2019, she released her first Korean solo single, "Neon."
Career
2006–2009: Modeling and acting debut
In 2006, Teramoto was one of the Grand Prix winners in the 10th model auditions for pre-teen fashion magazine Nicola out of 5,986 applicants.[3] She began working as an exclusive model for Nicola beginning in the September 2006 issue until March 2009 issue.[4][3] She made her acting debut in the live-action adaptation of ChocoMimi in 2007.[5][3] In addition to playing the lead character Choco, Teramoto also released music as her character along with Kayano Masuyama under the name Choco & Mimi.[6] Their first single, "Happy Happy!", was released in 2008 as the opening theme song to ChocoMimi and reached #175 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.[7]
After graduating as a model from Nicola, Teramoto enrolled in the agency I'm Enterprise as a voice actress and debuted with a minor role in K-On![3] She began attending the voice acting school NichiNare. Aside from providing additional voices in various anime and video game series, Teramoto also had a recurring role on Dog Days as Rouge Clafoutis, Seitokai Yakuindomo as Chiri Nakazato, and Gal Gun as Kaname Nonomiya. In 2012, Teramoto went on hiatus to attend university, resigning from I'm Enterprise on December 28, 2011.[9][3]
2015–present: Return to entertainment, Real Girls Project, Korean debut
Teramoto returned to the entertainment industry in August 2015[3] and appeared commercials and stage plays. In 2016, she auditioned for The Idolmaster KR,[10] a South Korean drama adaptation of the original game series, and was the only Japanese cast member to be selected. Aside from playing a fictionalized version of herself in The Idolmaster KR, Teramoto was also part of the Real Girls Project, a Korean idol group formed for the drama.[11][3] Teramoto was also a contestant on the reality show Mix Nine along with other members of Real Girls Project;[3] she finished in 34th place.
After Real Girls Project disbanded, Teramoto left Mole Entertainment and signed with Estimate Entertainment. In 2018, Teramoto was cast as Yui, a supporting role for the South Korean web drama Hello, Stranger! She provided the voice to Athena and Palas in the mobile game Destiny Child; she also provided a new version of the game's theme song, "Da yo ne Da yo ne."[2]
On February 22, 2019, Teramoto released her debut Korean solo single "Neon", which had a "new retro girl" concept based on the city pop genre.[12] Later that year, her followup single "Cherries Jubiles" was released on July 9th.[13]