I.O.I’s long-awaited reunion
Wait no longer, I.O.I fans – the lovely 11 girls will finally be getting together for a reunion after what seems like forever.
I.O.I keeps their promise for a reunion
The girls talked about a reunion back when they were still promoting as I.O.I. They decided that they would meet again as a group 5 years after their disbandment.
The members talking about their future reunion 5 years after they disband
Image adapted from: JTBC Entertainment
Video credit: MBCentertainment
After 5 long years of waiting, I.O.I will be holding a reunion in the form of a live broadcast, called I.5.I – Yes, I Love it!, on 4th May 2021.
What the members have been up to
– Jeon So-mi –
Image credit: @somi_official_
Since I.O.I’s disbandment, So-mi has joined various temporary girl groups. She debuted as a member of Unnies in the variety show Sister’s Slam Dunk Season 2, and as a member of Girls Next Door in the drama Idol Drama Operation Team.
After leaving JYP Entertainment, So-mi signed with THBLACKLABEL, a label under YG Entertainment. Then, she finally made her solo debut in 2019 with the song Birthday.
A year later, she made her 1st comeback with the song What You Waiting For, and bagged her 1st music show win on M! Countdown.
Video credit: THEBLACKLABEL
– Kim Se-jeong & Kang Mi-na –
Images adapted from: @clean_0828 and @_happiness_o_
After I.O.I disbanded, Sejeong and Mi-na made multiple comebacks with gugudan, a girl group under Jellyfish Entertainment. Following gugudan’s disbandment, Sejeong has been promoting as a soloist and actress, and Mi-na has been active as an actress.
After her drama The Uncanny Counter concluded on a high note, Se-jeong released her new song, Warning.
Video credit: OFFICIAL KIMSEJEONG
Mi-na has acted in various dramas so far, and notable projects include Hotel Del Luna and the film Dokgo Rewind.
Image credit: Seezn
Mina is currently starring in a web drama, Summer Guys, with fellow I.O.I member Lim Na-young. The series has aired 6 episodes to date, and can be streamed on Seezn every Tuesday and Wednesday.
– Choi Yoo-jung & Kim Do-yeon –
Image credit: @dbeoddl__
I.O.I’s inseparable duo, Yoo-jung and Do-yeon, made their debut in 2017 as members of Weki Meki.
Video credit: Weki Meki 위키미키
Since then, both of them have tried their hand at acting. They both starred in their debut piece, Idol Fever, as part of the main cast.
Video credit: 샤
A few years later, Do-yeon secured the main role in a PLAYLIST web drama, Pop Out Boy!, and Yoo-jung played the main role in the web drama Cast: Age of Insiders.
– Kim Chung-ha –
Image credit: @chungha_official
Chungha, according to netizens, is the most successful member of I.O.I post-disbandment.
She has collaborated with international artistes such as Rich Brian and Guaynaa, and even signed an exclusive contract with 88rising for her US promotions.
Chungha just came back with her 1st studio album Querencia on 15th February 2021, and has continued to amaze fans with her talents.
Check out the title track of Quenrencia below:
Video credit: CHUNG HA_Official
– Kim So-hye –
Image credit: @s_sohye
So-hye steered away from the idol route and went back into acting.
Since I.O.I’s disbandment, So-hye has acted in various dramas, TV series, and web dramas.
Image credit: @s_sohye
Her recent works include Best Chicken and How To Buy A Friend.
Video credit: 리모콘 by iHQ
– Zhou Jieqiong & Lim Na-young –
Images adapted from: @nayoung_lim95 and @zhou_jieqiong1216
Jieqiong and Na-young promoted as members of PRISTIN following I.O.I’s disbandment. They released We Like and debuted in the sub-unit PRISTIN V before the group went into an indefinite hiatus. Sadly for fans of PRISTIN, disbandment followed a few years later.
Now, Na-young is promoting as an actress and model in Korea, and Jieqiong works as a singer and actress based in China.
Images adapted from: @teaparty_twt and Naver
Na-young will be starring in an upcoming KBS drama called Imitation, as a member of the girl group Tea Party. Jieqiong will be starring in the Chinese remake of the Korean movie Sunny, and it is scheduled to be released on 11th June 2021.
– Jung Chae-yeon –
Image credit: @j_chaeyeoni
Chae-yeon has been active with DIA following I.O.I’s disbandment, and she’s also pursuing an acting career.
Image credit: HanCinema
Some of her notable dramas include My First First Love, which is available on Netflix, and the KBS drama To. Jenny.
Video credit: KBS WORLD TV
– Yoo Yeon-jung –
Image credit: @uyj__0803
Yeon-jung has made multiple comebacks with her fellow WJSN (Cosmic Girls) group mates, and has continued to prove herself as a vocal powerhouse in King of Masked Singer.
Video credit: MBCentertainment
WJSN just made a comeback 2 weeks ago with the song Unnatural, and you can check it out below:
Video credit: starshipTV
Fans reactions to I.O.I’s reunion
When the news of I.O.I’s reunion was first released on 13th April 2021, fans were sceptical. After all, they’ve been seeing news of I.O.I’s reunion for a couple of years now, but those were just false alarms.
Images adapted from: @jyuriberry and @angangzzz
But once the news was confirmed, many rejoiced and felt ecstatic about their reunion.
Images adapted from: @habitcheol and @youngrvl
Where to catch I.O.I’s reunion
Image credit: 헤랄드POP
Fans can catch the reunion of the well-loved group on 4th May 2021, 7PM KST via KT’s mobile apps olleh TV (Android/iOS) and Seezn, and also through the streaming site TVING.
I.O.I fans rejoice at their reunion
We are excited to see the OG winners of Produce 101 come back for a reunion after so long, especially since I.O.I’s contract was the shortest amongst all the project groups in the Produce series.
We look forward to seeing what I.O.I has in store for us in their live broadcast.
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Cover image adapted from: YMC Entertainment