“Why I.O.I’s reunion was possible: ‘Meeting often and learning through trial and error'”
The members of I.O.I have finally revealed the secrets behind their long-awaited reunion!
On the May 16 episode of JTBC’s variety show ‘Knowing Bros’ (Episode 529), I.O.I members Lim Nayoung, Yoo Yeonjung, Kim Sohye, Chungha, Choi Yoojung, Kim Doyeon, and Jeon Somi transferred to the school to celebrate their 10th debut anniversary.
During the show, Lim Nayoung shared her new nickname, “The Little Mermaid.” She explained, “In our staff group chat, I’m so quiet that they call me the Little Mermaid who lost her voice.”
Choi Yoojung spilled the beans, saying, “Since last year, we’ve been talking about gathering for our 10th anniversary. Nayoung unnie was always quiet, but she’s even quieter now. Even when I ask, ‘Do you have anything to say?’ she just replies, ‘Yeah, I like it.'” Yoo Yeonjung added a funny story about a meeting where Lim Nayoung was so silent that the members only realized she had actually attended after the meeting was over.
The I.O.I members also opened up about the emotions behind their reunion. Having had one of the shortest activity periods among audition-based groups (about 10 months), they admitted to feeling some lingering regret. “We and the creators didn’t realize it would be such a huge hit. We didn’t leave while the applause was peaking; we left just as people were about to start clapping,” they confessed.
Despite their tearful farewell, the members stayed close, meeting in pairs or trios and hanging out whenever their schedules aligned.
While their original goal was to reunite within five years, it took a full decade due to their individual schedules and different agencies. They shared, “We kept trying to get together, but it was difficult. Through trial and error, we realized we needed to plan much further in advance, which is why we’re finally back after 10 years.”
Chungha was the member who most actively pushed for the reunion. She explained, “I often performed alone at events, and every time, I would see I.O.I lightsticks in the crowd. Fans would always bring my debut or unit albums and ask for signatures. I was so happy to sign them, and it made me realize how many people were truly waiting for us. I always mentioned the 10th anniversary, thinking, ‘I really think we should talk about this around now.'”
The members also revealed that the most active person in their group chat is Kim Sejeong, who unfortunately couldn’t appear on ‘Knowing Bros’ due to drama filming. Yoo Yeonjung shared, “After practice, Sejeong unnie goes home and writes long ‘gratitude diaries,’ saying how happy she is.”
Kim Sohye touched fans’ hearts by recalling their first appearance on the show, saying, “Back then, we said we wanted to come back in 10 years. We want to promote hard and come back again in another 10 years,” expressing her wish to remain as I.O.I for a long time.
For those who need a refresher, I.O.I was an 11-member multinational girl group formed through the 2016 Mnet survival show ‘Produce 101’. They debuted in May 2016 and concluded their activities in January 2017. Now, they have reunited after nine years to celebrate their 10th anniversary.
I.O.I is set to release their third mini album, ‘I.O.I : LOOP’, on May 19. The members participating in this comeback are Lim Nayoung, Chungha, Kim Sejeong, Jung Chaeyeon, Kim Sohye, Yoo Yeonjung, Choi Yoojung, Kim Doyeon, and Jeon Somi. Kang Mina and Zhou Jieqiong will not be participating. The group will also embark on a tour, starting with Seoul performances on May 29, 30, and 31.
