IZ*ONE was a South Korean-Japanese girl group formed through the reality competition show called "
Produce 48." The show aired in 2018 and was a collaboration between the South Korean series "Produce 101" and the Japanese group
AKB48. The aim of the show was to form a multinational girl-group with members from both Korea and Japan.
IZ*ONE consisted of 12 members: Wonyoung, Sakura, Yuri, Yena,
Yujin, Nako,
Eunbi,
Hyewon, Hitomi,
Chaewon,
Minju, and
Chaeyeon. The group debuted in October 2018 under Off The Record Entertainment and AKS, the management companies responsible for their activities in both countries.
IZONE gained popularity quickly after their debut, with their first EP titled "ColorIz" topping the charts in South Korea. They continued to release successful projects, like “Heart*IZ” and “Buenos Aires”. The group's music and performances showed their diverse talents, combining elements of K-pop and J-pop.
Throughout their career, IZ*ONE participated in various award shows, music festivals, and television programs in both South Korea and Japan. They achieved significant milestones, and won multiple music awards and broke records with their album sales.
However,
IZONE's activities were limited to a set period due to the show's format. Their contract was set to expire after two and a half years, and the group disbanded in April 2021. Despite their disbandment, IZONE left a lasting impact on the K-pop industry and gained a dedicated fan base during their active years.