Project girl group I.O.I will release its third EP, "I.O.I: LOOP," on May 19, the group's first new album in nine years, ahead of the group's long-awaited comeback concert to take place later in the month.

I.O.I will start teasing the details of its comeback with photos on Thursday and Friday, followed by the list of tracks and a preview of the album on Monday.


A prerelease track from the album, title yet unknown, will be unveiled on May 4. The members will also hold a YouTube livestream session with fans for the 10th anniversary of their debut on the same day as the prerelease reveal.

The album will be followed by three concerts on May 29, 30 and 31 in Jamsil, southern Seoul. The tour will then move on to cities such as Bangkok and Hong Kong.

I.O.I was formed through fan votes on Mnet’s “Produce 101” (2016-19) in 2016 and debuted in May that year. Starting with the debut track “Dream Girls” (2016), the group released a string of hits, including “Whatta Man (Good Man)” (2016), “Very Very Very” (2016) and “Downpour” (2017), topping music programs and ranking high on major music charts.

As a project group, I.O.I disbanded in January 2017 after about nine months of activity. Its members have since joined other girl groups or have been active through solo work.

Nine members of the original 11-member lineup will return for the group’s comeback nine years in the making: Im Na-young, Chungha, Kim Se-jeong, Jung Chae-yeon, Kim So-hye, Yoo Yeon-jung, Choi Yoo-jung, Kim Do-yeon and Jeon Somi. Two members, Kang Mi-na and Zhou Jieqiong, will not participate due to prior commitments, according to the band's agency, Swing Entertainment.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]