I.O.I Confirms Their Long-Awaited Reunion After 5 Years As Promised, Fans Can’t Believe It’s Finally Happening

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

[CONTACT INTERVIEW★] I.O.I Good-Bye Interview 20170129

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.

JEON SOMI (전소미) - 'What You Waiting For' M/V

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.

김세정(KIM SEJEONG) - 'Warning (Feat. lIlBOI)' Official M/V

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.

Weki Meki 위키미키 - I don't like your Girlfriend M/V

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.

바람이 그랬거든 (아이돌 권한대행 7화 유정&도연)

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:

CHUNG HA 청하 'Bicycle' Official Music Video

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. 

(ENG SUB) 망하게 해주세요!!! 열혈 사장님과 검은 속내 알바생의 동상이몽! [최고의 치킨] 1~3회 몰아보기

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.

TO JENNY I 투 제니- Ep.1 [SUB : ENG / 2018.08.24]

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.

[King of masked singer] 복면가왕 - 'snow cornice , Our town' 2round - Star 20170101

Video credit: MBCentertainment

WJSN just made a comeback 2 weeks ago with the song Unnatural, and you can check it out below:

[MV] 우주소녀 (WJSN) - UNNATURAL

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