IZ*ONE

* Korea
* Japan

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**IZ\*ONE** (**Korean:** 아이즈원, **Japanese:** アイズワン, pronounced as *Eyes One*) was a South Korean-Japanese girl group formed by CJ E&M through the 2018 Mnet reality competition television show *Produce 48*.

The group was managed by Stone Music subsidiary "Off the Record" and Swing Entertainment as a sub-agency in South Korea, and AKS in Japan.

The group was composed of twelve members, chosen by live votes: Jang Won Young, Miyawaki Sakura, Jo Yu Ri, Choi Ye Na, An Yu Jin, Yabuki Nako, Kwon Eun Bi, Kang Hye Won, Honda Hitomi, Kim Chae Won, Kim Min Ju and Lee Chae Yeon.

Throughout the group's active years, they released two studio albums (one Korean and one Japanese), seven extended plays (four in Korean and three in Japanese).

## Name Meaning

The name combines the words *"IZ"* (Pronounced as *Eyes*) which symbolizes the number *"12"* and *"ONE"* which means *"1"* referring to the fact that the twelve members together will be one in the group. The asterisk (\*) between *"IZ"* and *"ONE"* symbolizes the astrological signs of the zodiac.

## History

### Produce 48 Formation and Debut with COLOR\*IZ (2018)

The group debuted in Korea on October 29, 2018 with their debut mini album, "COLOR\*IZ" featuring the title track "La Vie en Rose" (라비앙로즈). The physical album was released in two versions, a color version and a rose version. The album peaked at #2 on Gaon Album Chart and sold 225,000 units.

The early success subsequently hailed them as the New Artist of the Year at several awards shows, including Golden Disc Awards and Seoul Music Awards.

### Japanese Debut and First Comeback with HEART\*IZ (2019)

The group made their Japanese debut on February 6, 2019 with "Suki to Iwasetai" Peaking at number 2 on Oricon Singles Chart and with over 250,000 unit sales, the single was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ)

The group's second Korean mini album, "HEART\*IZ", was released on April 1st, 2019 and featured the title track "Violeta" The physical album was released in two versions, a Violeta version and a Sapphire version, as well as a random clear sleeve (1 of 13 for each version).

IZ\*ONE later made their first Japanese comeback with the single Buenos Aires, shortly followed by their third single Vampire.

Later that year the group's first full length album, BLOOM\*IZ, was set to be released in November of 2019, with studio versions of songs such as AYAYAYA and SO CURIOUS. The album was later delayed due to voting manipulation allegations during Produce 48, causing refunds given out for preorders and the release put on hold.

### Produce 48's vote manipulation, BLOOM\*IZ, Oneiric Diary, Twelve and One-Reeler / Act IV (2020)

IZ\*ONE's return was scheduled for November 11, 2019, but was postponed after Produce 48 director An Joon Young admitted to manipulating the program's ratings. The group has since been on an indefinite hiatus.

On 23 January 2020, in a statement, Mnet responded *"respecting the views of members and fans who hope that IZ\*ONE's activities will return to normal, Mnet and the agencies of IZ\*ONE members have decided that their activities will resume. IZ\*ONE is expected to resume activities in February, and details, including the exact schedule, will be announced soon"*.

In early 2020 Off the Record announced that IZ\*ONE would continue as a twelve member group with the release of BLOOM\*IZ in February 2020 and its title track, FIESTA.

On May 19, IZ\*ONE shared through a post in the group's Official Fancafe that they had finished recording the MV two days earlier and that their next comeback would be on June 15th with their third mini album, Oneiric Diary and its title track, Secret Story of the Swan. The album trailer was released on May 31, 2020 through Stone Music's official Youtube channel. The MV was postponed to June 16 but the performace video and album was released on June 15, the original release date.

On August 16, Stone Music announced IZ\*ONE's first online solo concert, "Oneiric Theater", to be held on September 13th.

On October 21, the group released their first Japanese studio album, Twelve, with its title track, Beware. Beware's MV was released on October 7, 2020.

On November 17, it was confirmed that the group would be releasing a Korean comeback on December. The comeback, One-Reeler / Act IV, was released with its title track, Panorama, on December 7, 2020.

### Disbandment (2021)

Despite initial talks of a possible contract extension, Mnet confirmed on March 10, 2021, that IZ\*ONE are officially set to disband in April. On April 29, the group's exclusive contract with Off the Record ended and they officially disbanded. Afterward, all of the members returned to their companies (Woollim, 8D, Yuehua, WM, Urban Works, Stone Music and Starship) as trainees while the Japanese members returned to Japan to promote with AKB48 and HKT48.

When the group's disbandment was announced, WIZ\*ONE started an initiative called Parallel Universe on April 21, 2021, in an attempt to prevent the girls from disbanding. The name "Parallel Universe" was chosen to pay homage to a song with the same title that was released during the One, The Story concert. The initiative raised ₩1,000,000,000 (roughly US$900,000), its funding goal, but despite the support from the entire WIZ\*ONE community, the initiative failed, and IZ\*ONE disbanded as planned.

On June 19, CJ ENM confirmed that negotiations were underway to potentially relaunch the group, in consultation with the agencies which manage the members. Despite having initial discussions of the relaunch, the group's relaunch has fallen through as of July 6, and the group's re-debut has been canceled.

## Aftermath

On August 5, 2021, *Star News* and Woollim Entertainment announced that Eunbi would be debuting as a solo artist. On August 24, she made her solo debut with the release of her first mini album *OPEN*.

On May 15, 2021, shortly after returning to Japan, Sakura announced her graduation from HKT48. Her graduation concert, Bouquet, was held at Marine Messe Fukuoka on June 19. Her send-off party was held on June 27 at the HKT48 Theater, making it her final theater performance. On November 1, Vernalossom revealed that Sakura's contract with them has ended.

Rumors began to surface in August 2021 that Sakura and Chaewon would be recruited into Source Music's new girl group. Later on HYBE released a brief statement in response to the claims, stating that they "cannot help verify information regarding our artist contracts. We ask for your understanding.” On August 27, Sakura returned to Korea to discuss a new contract with HYBE. On September 23, it was reported that Sakura had signed an exclusive contract with Source Music. On March 14, 2022, it was announced that Sakura and Chaewon had officially signed to Source Music and would be debuting together in their upcoming girl group LE SSERAFIM in May. On April 12, 2022, Source Music announced that the group would officially debut on May 2 with the mini album *Fearless*.

In July 2021, rumors started surfacing stating that Hyewon would be making her acting debut in the third season of the KOK TV web series *Best Mistake*. On September 6, 2021, 8D Entertainment officially confirmed that Hyewon will be appearing in the series, thus also making her acting debut through the appearance. She then released her first solo winter special album *W* on December 22, 2021.

On October 7, 2021, it was announced that Yena would be making her acting debut in the second season of Naver TV Cast's *The World of My 17*. On January 1, 2022, it was announced that she would be making her solo debut on January 17 with the mini album *SMiLEY*.

On August 24, 2021, Chaeyeon made her first public appearance since the conclusion of IZ\*ONE's activities as a contestant on Mnet's dance survival show *Street Woman Fighter*. She and the rest of her dance crew, collectively known as 'WANT', were unfortunately eliminated during the 6th episode, placing 7th overall in the show. On September 15, 2022, WM Entertainment announced that Chaeyeon would be making her long-awaited solo debut sometime in October. On September 21, she announced her first mini album *Hush Rush*, which would be released on October 12, 2022.

Following IZ\*ONE's disbandment, it was rumored that Minju has recieved an offer from Source Music to debut as a member of their new girl group. Subsequently, it was announced that Minju had declined their offer and she would be pursing her career as an actress.

In April 2021, Nako and Hitomi returned to Japan in order to continue their activities with their respective groups AKB48 and HKT48, where they had previously debuted prior to being in IZ\*ONE. On September 29, 2021, Hitomi had her first release with AKB48 since her return with the group's fifty-eighth single "Nemohamo Rumor". On December 1, 2021, Nako had her first release with HKT48 since her return with the group's second album "Outstanding", with the title track "Totsuzen Do love me!" having Nako as the song's center.

On September 24, 2021, it was announced that Yuri would be making her solo debut on October 7 of the same year. On this date, she made her solo debut with her first single album "GLASSY".

On November 1, 2021, Starship Entertainment announced that Yujin and Wonyoung would debut together as members of IVE. They debuted on December 1, 2021 with the single album "Eleven".

## Members

* By Age
* By Rank

## Official Links

* Official Korean Website (Closed)
* Official Japanese Website (Closed)
* Official Twitter
* IZ\*ONE Staff Twitter
* IZ\*ONE Official Twitter Japan Shop
* IZ\*ONE Official Twitter 'Dicon Magazine'
* IZ\*ONE Official Twitter 'Photo Box Japan'
* Official Facebook
* Official Instagram
* Youtube Channel
* Vlive Channel
* Official Fancafe
* Weibo
* Naver
* Tik Tok
* Japan Official Fanclub Site
* Official Melon Page