IZ*ONE debuted in October 2018 with its first EP “COLORIZ” under Off The Record Entertainment and Swing Entertainment. It was a temporary project girl group formed with the 12 finalists of Mnet’s audition show “Produce 48” (2018), the third season of the hit “Produce 101” franchise. The 12 winners had been announced in August 2018.
The group consisted of members Jang Wonyoung, Miyawaki Sakura, Jo Yuri, Choi Yena, Ahn Yujin, Yabuki Nako, Kwon Eunbi, Kang Hyewon, Honda Hitomi, Kim Chaewon, Kim Minjoo, and Lee Chaeyeon.
IZ*ONE was one of the most commercially successful girl groups of its time, breaking the record for highest CD sales in the first week of release on multiple occasions until it disbanded in April 2021.
The girl group’s fandom is dubbed WIZ*ONE.
Which IZ*ONE members are Japanese?
Members Sakura, Nako and Hitomi are Japanese. “Produce 48” brought together Korean contestants and Japanese hopefuls, the latter already being members of Japan’s “48” girl group franchise including AKB48, HKT48, NMB48, SKE48 and NGT48. Sakura and Nako were from HKT48, and Hitomi was from AKB48.
Where are IZ*ONE members now?
After disbandment, each member went on to build their careers in the K-pop scene or other areas of entertainment. Nako and Hitomi went back to Japan to their original groups.
Sakura also returned to her original group HKT48 in Japan but soon left, or “graduated.” She came back to Korea to sign with Source Music and re-debut as a member of girl group Le Sserafim in May 2022, along with former teammate Kim Chaewon.
Jang Wonyoung and Ahn Yujin re-debuted in December 2021 as members of girl group IVE.
Jo Yuri, Choi Yena, Kwon Eunbi and Lee Chaeyeon are now solo singers. Chaeyeon also starred on Mnet’s hit dance competition program “Street Woman Fighter” (2021) prior to her solo debut.
Kang Hyewon and Kim Minjoo are now actors.
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