JO1

* Group
* Logo
* Fandom

**JO1** (ジェイオーワン; *Jeiōwan*) is a Japanese boy group formed through the reality competition show *Produce 101 Japan*. The group consists of eleven members: Mamehara Issei, Kawashiri Ren, Kawanishi Takumi, Ohira Shosei, Tsurubo Shion, Shiroiwa Ruki, Sato Keigo, Kimata Syoya, Kono Junki, Kinjo Sukai and Yonashiro Sho. The group is currently managed by Lapone Entertainment, a joint company between Yoshimoto Kogyo and CJ E&M, and is slated to be a permanent group.

JO1 debuted with single *Protostar* on March 4, 2020, and have released a total of two singles which topped Oricon Singles Chart and *Billboard Japan* Hot 100 as well as have been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). The group will release their first studio album *The Star* on November 25, 2020.

## History

### Pre-debut: Formation through *Produce 101 Japan*

*Main article: Produce 101 Japan*
JO1 was formed through the reality competition show *Produce 101 Japan* from September 25 to December 11, 2019. Out of the initial 101 trainees who participated in the show, the final 11 were chosen by viewers through online voting and announced via live television broadcast on TBS.

Prior to appearing on the show, several members had already been active in the entertainment industry. Kawashiri Ren has professionally performed as a back-up dancer, having performed for SMAP, FT Island, Dreams Come True, Yamashita Tomohisa, Lead, Wanna One, and Pentagon. Shiroiwa Ruki is a former member of Johnny & Associates' trainee group Johnny's Jr.. He was also part of the voice actor music group Tsukicro in 2017, where he sang, portrayed, and provided the voice for the character Hibiya Ruki.

The group held their first pre-debut fanmeeting on January 31, 2020 at Pacifico Yokohama. They also held another one at Osaka Orix Theater from February 18 to February 20, 2020.

### 2020: Debut with *Protostar* and further success

*Main articles: Protostar, Stargazer, and The Star*
Shortly after the end of *Produce 101 Japan*, the group was revealed to fly to South Korea for the preparation and the production of its debut. On January 14, it was revealed that the group's debut single is titled *Protostar* with a March 4 release date. Upon its release, "Protostar" received immediate commercial success, peaking at number one on both Oricon Daily and Weekly Singles Chart with over 360,000 copies sold overall. Meanwhile, the lead song from the single, "Infinity", peaked at number one on the *Billboard Japan* Hot 100. The group then had their first live performance ever on a TV program by performing "Infinity" on NTV's morning show *Sukkiri*. Subsequently, their debut single was certified Platinum by the RIAJ and entered Top 10 rank for New Artist, Singles Sales, and Singles Total Sales categories of Oricon's 2020 Mid-Year Ranking on June 19.

JO1 released their second single *Stargazer* on August 26. The single features participation in lyrics writing and choreography by members Yonashiro and Kawashiri respectively on the song "My Friends". The single debuted at number one on Oricon Daily and Weekly Singles Chart. This made the group the only artist who earned two consecutive wins on the weekly chart since their debut single after Hinatazaka46's "Do Re Mi Sol La Si Do" on July 29, 2019. The group once again earned number one position on the *Billboard Japan* Hot 100 with the lead song "Oh-Eh-Oh" and Platinum certification by the RIAJ. On September 5, the group performed as a headliner for the first time for the 31st Mynavi Tokyo Girls Collection 2020 Autumn/Winter 2020, the largest fashion event in Japan, held in Saitama Super Arena.

The group was also scheduled to perform at KCON 2020 JAPAN's main event *KCON 2020 JAPAN x M COUNTDOWN* on April 4, 2020 at Makuhari Messe. Since the event was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, they instead attended KCON:TACT 2020 SUMMER for a Meet&Greet, making them the first Japanese boy group to ever participate in the convention. They also performed at KCON:TACT Season 2 from October 16 to October 25, 2020.

On October 5, it was announced that JO1 will release their first full-length album *The Star* with the title track "Shine a Light" on November 25. They also released the first version of their official lightstick on October 16. The group will also hold their first live streaming concert titled *Starlight* on December 19.

## Name

The group's name, JO1, was chosen by Lapone Entertainment among the suggestions given by "National Producers" through *Produce 101 Japan*'s official website. According to the original suggestion, the "J" in JO1 refers to Japan, which is the origin of the group, while the "01" refers to the first year of Reiwa (令和) period where the group was first introduced. The name was announced during the final episode of the show.

## Members

* Yonashiro Sho (與那城 奨) - leader
* Kawashiri Ren (川尻 蓮)
* Shiroiwa Ruki (白岩 瑠姫)
* Kono Junki (河野 純喜)
* Sato Keigo (佐藤 景瑚)
* Kawanishi Takumi (川西 拓実)
* Kimata Syoya (木全 翔也)
* Ohira Shosei (大平 祥生)
* Kinjo Sukai (‪金城 碧海)
* Tsurubo Shion (鶴房 汐恩)
* Mamehara Issei (豆原 一成)

## Endorsements

Even before their official debut, JO1 had signed an advertising contract with Softbank and were featured in nationwide TV commercial for its subsidiary Y!mobile starting February 2, 2020. The group also had endorsed and collaborated with various brands including ABC-MART x NIKE, KitKat, wikipedia:FamilyMart, Francfranc, Sweets Paradise, and FuRyu, as well as participated in promotional events for luxury fashion house brands Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent. They had been featured on the front covers of magazines such as *An An*, *Vivi*, *Numéro Tokyo*, and others.

In co-operation with LINE, the group also released their own set of stickers for the messenger app, entitled *JO1 and me ♪ voice*, on March 3, 2020.

## Bibliography

### Audio books

 *5-Fungo ni Koi no Mahō ga Tokeru Made―Ni Dome no Hatsukoi* | ５分後に恋の魔法が解けるまで　二度目の初恋

## References

1. ↑ JO1 Official YouTube — 1st Fanmeeting at Pacifico Yokohama (removed, now only available through the official fanclub)
2. ↑ JO1 Official Website — JO1 1ST FANMEETING Details decided! Pre-registration for JO1 Official Fan Club has started!
3. ↑ JO1 1ST FANMEETING @ Osaka Venue Lottery Bonus: Invite "Meet & Greet"
4. ↑ JO1 Official Instagram — JO1 「PROTOSTAR」2020.03.04 Debut
5. ↑ JO1 Official Website — JO1 debut single "PROTOSTAR" singer photos and jacket photos published
6. ↑ JO1 Official Instagram — JO1 2ND SINGLE 『STARGAZER』 2020.08.26 Release
7. ↑ JO1 Official Website — The second single "STARGAZER" will be released on August 26! (20/08/06：forTUNE music Third reception update)
8. ↑ Girlswalker Official Website — 2020 Autumn/Winter 2020 Artists
9. ↑ JO1 Official Website — "KCON 2020 JAPAN x M COUNTDOWN" 4/4 (Sat) appearance decision
10. ↑ JO1 Official Website — JO1 "KCON: TACT 2020 SUMMER" Meet&Greet appearance decision
11. ↑ Oricon — JO1、『KCON』初出演 日本人ボーイズグループで初の快挙 豆原一成「これからも出続けられるように」
12. ↑ JO1 Official Website — Information on "KCON: TACT season2" appearance decision
13. ↑ JO1 Official Website — 1ST ALBUM "The STAR" to be released on November 25!
14. ↑ JO1 Official Website — JO1 OFFICIAL LIGHT STICK is now on sale! Fan Club Pre-Sales begin on Friday, October 16 at 12:00!
15. ↑ JO1 Official Website — JO1's first online solo live "STARLIGHT" will be held!
16. ↑ JO1 Official Website — JO1's first LINE official sticker released!