The highly anticipated reunion of I.O.I (아이오아이), the beloved “National Girl Group” formed through Mnet’s “Produce 101,” is officially underway. Marking their 10th debut anniversary, the group has unveiled their first collective visual teaser, a captivating mood film for their third mini-album, ‘I.O.I : LOOP.’
Released at midnight KST on May 22nd via official SNS channels, the mood film offers a tantalizing glimpse into their comeback. It features the I.O.I members—Lim Na-young, Chungha, Kim Se-jeong, Jung Chae-yeon, Kim So-hye, Yu Yeon-jung, Choi Yoo-jung, Kim Do-yeon, and Jeon So-mi—showcasing their vibrant personalities and vintage charm in colorful attire. The brief yet impactful visuals impeccably highlight each member’s distinctive presence, building fervent anticipation for the album’s release on May 19th at 6 PM KST.
I.O.I debuted in May 2016, quickly ascending to superstardom with an array of consecutive hits including ‘Dream Girls,’ ‘Whatta Man,’ ‘Very Very Very (너무너무너무),’ and ‘Downpour (소나기).’ Their dominance was evident as they swiftly secured top positions on major music charts and achieved numerous music show victories, cementing their status as a defining girl group of their era in an remarkably short period. This rapid success led to them sweeping Rookie of the Year awards at prestigious ceremonies like the Mnet Asian Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, and Seoul Music Awards, solidifying their unique impact not only in music but also across various entertainment programs before concluding official activities with a concert in January 2017.
Approximately nine years since their last official activities, this reunion holds profound sentimental value for their dedicated fanbase and the members themselves, who have consistently expressed their desire to reunite in numerous interviews. After extensive discussions, the group has come together once more, though Kang Mi-na and Zhou Jieqiong will regrettably not participate in this comeback due to unavoidable prior commitments, making it a 9-member formation.
Beyond the new album, I.O.I is set to reconnect with global fans through the ‘2026 I.O.I Concert Tour: LOOP.’ The tour kicks off with a three-day run in Seoul from May 29th, followed by stops in Bangkok on June 6th, and Hong Kong on June 20th and 21st, traversing key Asian cities. Fans can also look forward to a pre-release track from ‘I.O.I : LOOP’ dropping on May 4th, ahead of the full album’s digital release on May 19th.
With a new album and an expansive Asian tour, I.O.I’s 10th-anniversary celebration is poised to be a rich musical gift for their long-awaiting fans, reigniting excitement and demonstrating their enduring legacy in K-pop.
Reported by Seoul Wire | Seoul, South Korea 🇰🇷
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