I’ve written about my love for the Korean music show “Produce48” (here and here) and now that the show is over, the top 12 of the show have formed the global pop group, IZ*ONE (pronounced as “Eyez One”/IZ=12 and the meaning is 12 members coming togther as ONE).
The group features Jang Wonyoung, Miyawaki Sakura, Jo Yuri, Choi Yena, Ahn Yujin, Yabuki Nako, Kwon Eunbi, Kang Hyewon, Honda Hitomi, Kim Chaewon, Kim Minjoo and Lee Chae Yeon.
The 12 members are the finalists of Mnet’s “Produce48” which began with 48 trainees from South Korea and 48 members of Japan’s AKB48G (AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, NGT48).
And as I absolutely love J-Pop and K-Pop, while I was skeptical at first about the show, to see how these young ladies from two different countries (politically have had friction towards each other), would show the world how they would get along, can work together and become this global pop group set for an October 29th debut.
It hasn’t even been a month since “Produce48” has ended and already so much has happened with the group. They starred in their first commercial for a video game:
They are featured in their first clothing collaboration with German outdoor clothing and gear company, Salewa:
They’re starring in a reality show in October.
But if anything, these talented young ladies are doing something that is unique and special.
It’s not going to be an easy road, considering the Japanese and Korean members still have a language barrier in terms of communication. There are no full-time translators for them like we are used to seeing for athletes who play in the MLB who have a team’s hired translator with them.
But I’m hopeful that despite the challenges, the young ladies of IZ*ONE will take them on head on and succeed.
For IZ*ONE coverage in English, definitely check out the postings on Neo-Tokyo 2099 who have done a cool job of covering the group!
