After competing in the girl group survival show “Produce 101”, 11 idol trainees out of 101 made it to the final lineup of the up-and-coming girl group ‘I.O.I’ in 2016. Already having a fanbase, I.O.I went on to make its debut on May 4, 2016. And a few weeks later, I.O.I became one of the most popular girl groups in the k-pop scene. As an 11-member girl group, the I.O.I members have given us some amazing tracks like ‘Very, Very, Very’, ‘Pick Me Up’, ‘Dream Girls’, ‘Whatta Man’, and a lot more. Everywhere they went, I.O.I proved that the girls are one of the best in the league.
But just a year later, the girl group announced their disbanding. Having only a year-long contract with YMC Entertainment, I.O.I disbanded on 31st January 2017. The girls went back to their original agencies and continued as solo artists. After spending two years getting over the disbanding, the fandom got the news that I.O.I will be coming back for a reunion. Signed by Swing Entertainment and Studio Blu, the girls came back on July 1, 2019. Now busy with their group and solo activities,
Here’s Everything You Need To Know About ‘I.O.I’ Members!
From their journey to where they are now, here’s everything you need to know about the girls of I.O.I.
Somi
Rank: 1
Hailing from Ontario, Canada, Ennik Somi Douma is popular among her fans with her stage name Somi. Or her Korean name Jeon Somi. Being an 01-liner, Somi’s birthday is on March 9. As a member of I.O.I, Somi used to serve as the lead dancer, lead vocalist, rapper, and face of the group. While she was also the maknae of I.O.I, she was also the center of the group.
An alumnus of Hanlim Multi Arts High School, she went on to train for 2 years under JYPE. While Somi is one of the most popular solos k-pop idols, she’s been active even before her idol debut. She also holds a 3rd-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Signed with JYP Entertainment, Somi was also a part of the survival show SIXTEEN, which put her in the lineup for TWICE.
After participating in Produce 101, she went on to win the survival show. After appearing on several variety shows, Soi announced her exit from JYP Entertainment in 2018. In 2019, Somi made her solo debut and later signed a contract with The Black Label. Somi’s popular hits include Birthday, Dumb Dumb, and What You Waiting For. Soon after I.O.I. disbanded in 2017, Somi went on to join Sister’s Slam Dunk Season 2. She also appeared on the show “Idol Drama Operation Team” and created a 7 members girl group called Girls Next Door. In 2020, she was also a part of the reality show named ‘I Am SOMI’.
Also Read: Somi Accidentally Leaks A YG Artist’s Song During Live: Fans Recognize A Familiar Voice!
Sejong
Rank: 2
Appearing as Shin Ha Ri in the k-drama ‘A Business Proposal’, Kim Sejong might’ve become the new favorite for several k-drama fans. Being a 96-liner, Sejong’s birthday is on August 28. As a member of I.O.I, Sejong serves as the main vocalist of the girl group. Hailing from Jeonju, the idol went on to participate in Kpop Star Season at 16. During her time in Produce 101, while she had a bit of a hard time dancing, the idol made up for it with her amazing and dreamy vocal skills. Upon I.O.I disbanding, the idol went back to her agency Jellyfish Entertainment.
With fellow member Mina, Sejong went on to make her debut with the girl group ‘Gugudan’ in 2017. While the ‘GUGUDAN’ couldn’t survive for long and disbanded in 2020, Sejong went on to win as a solo artist. The idol also went on to make her acting debut with the 2017 k-drama ‘School 2017’. Starring in k-dramas like ‘The Uncanny Counter1 & 2’ and ‘A Business Proposal’, Sejong is all set to star in the 2022 SBS k-drama ‘Today’s Webtoon’ alongside Choi Daniel and Nam Yoon Soo.
Also Read: Can We Cross Our Fingers For a Business Proposal Season 2?
Yoojung
Rank: 3
Known as the ‘Winky Fairy’, Choi Yoo Jung is popular with her stage name Yoojung. Being a 99-liner, Yoojung’s birthday is on November 12. As a member of I.O.I, Yoojung served as the main lead rapper, lead dancer, and lead vocalist of the girl group. Dreaming of becoming a performer, the idol has been practicing the choreographies and writing her own rap before becoming an idol trainee. Signed under Fantiago, the idol has also appeared in ASTRO’s music videos. She trained for 4 years and 7 months.
Along with her charisma and amazing skills that helped her make it to the top 3 in Produce 101, Yoojung is also known for her aegyo. After I.O.I disbanded, Yoojung returned to Fantiago to prepare for her debut. She went on to make her debut with the girl group Weki Meki along with her fellow member Doyeon. Becoming the face of the group, Yoojung also serves as the main vocalist and rapper for Weki Meki. She is a part of a collaboration group ‘WJMK’ with ‘Cosmic Girls’. Due to health issues, the idol had to go on a brack in 2019. In April 2022, Yoojung collaborated with Comedian Moon Se Yoon for their track ‘Fool’.
Also Read: Moon Se Yoon And Weki Meki’s Choi Yoo Jung Collaboration In New Single ‘Fool’
Chungha
Rank: 4
Popular with her stage name Chungha, Kim Chan Mi became a popular name in the k-pop scene with her single ‘Gotta Go’. Being a 96-liner, Chungha’s birthday is on February 6. As a member of I.O.I, Chungha used to serve as the main dancer, lead vocalist, and rapper of the girl group. The idol started her career at JYP Entertainment but went on to join MNH Entertainment. She trained for over 3 years and 3 months. Coming from a weak financial background, Chungha had to overthink her career as an artist. But with the skills and confidence she had, the idol didn’t give up on her dreams. Competing on Produce 101, Chungha was known as the “dancing queen”.
Soon after disbanding I.O.I, Chungha went on to make her solo debut with the track “Why Don’t You Know” in 2017. In 2020, the idol went on to sign a contract with US agency ICM Partners. The entertainment agency is known to have artists like Nicki Minaj, Chris Rock, and Beyonce. Recently, Chungha also performed at the ‘Made In Korea’ Festival 2020, which is known to be the biggest outdoor K-pop festival in Europe yet. The idol was accompanied by fellow idols like Red Velvet, Golden Child, Suho, and many more.
Also Read: Top 8 Female K-pop Idol Dancers Who Will Sooth Your Eyes
Sohye
Rank: 5
Kim So Hye is popular with her stage name Sohye. Being a 99-liner, Sohye’s birthday is on July 19. As a member of I.O.I, Sohye served as the vocalist and rapper of the girl group. Starting out as an idol trainee under RedLine Entertainment, Sohye went on to compete in Produce 101. While she started out as one of the contestants with a low score and confidence. With time, she continued to grow and get better as a performer and made it to the final lineup of I.O.I. During her time in I.O.I, she went on to set up S&P Entertainment with her family to manage her activities. After the girl group disbanded, the idol went on to focus on her solo career.
In a V-live, the idol shared that she wanted to release more content on her Youtube channel. Sohye also starred in the film “Moonlit Winter” alongside actress Kim Hee Ae. In 2021, Sohye was accused of bullying her classmate in high school. But after investigation, the idol was cleared of all the charges, and the accuser was founded guilty of lying. Sohye also made her acting debut and starred in k-dramas like “Kang Deoksun’s Love History” and “Best Chicken” along with several music videos.
Also Read: Who Is Jamie Dating? All About Relationship History of the Kpop Idol
Kyulkyung//Pinky
Rank: 6
Hailing from Shangai, China, Zhou Jie Qiong is popular with her stage name Kyulkyung. Being a 98-liner, Kyulkyung’s birthday is on December 16. As a member of I.O.I, Kyulkyung served as the visual, vocalist, and lead dancer of the group. Alumni of Shanghai Conservatory of Music and School of Performing Arts Seoul, Kyukyung started out as an idol trainee at Pledis Entertainment. Entering Produce 101, the idol went on to grace the stage with her immense talent and visuals. After I.O.I disbanded, Kyulkyung returned to Pledis Entertainment. She made her debut with Pristin alongside fellow I.O.I member Nayoung.
After Pristin disbanded in 2019, Kyulkyung has already become a popular name in her home country China. She made her solo debut with the track ‘Why’ in 2018. In 2019, she parted ways with Pledis Entertainment. While the idol is not much popular in the k-pop scene, she is much more active in China. She’s been active as an actress and has made several appearances in variety shows. In April 2021, Kyulkyung announced that she’d be starring in the Chinese remake of the hit Korean movie ‘Sunny Sisters’.
Also Read: Z Girls Members: Everything about the Global Kpop Group
Chaeyeon
Rank: 7
Jung Chae Yeon is popular among her fans with the stage name Chaeyeon. Being a 97-liner, Chaeyeon’s birthday is on December 1. As a member of I.O.I, Chaeyeon served as the visuals and vocalist of the girl group. Hailing from Jeollanam-do, the idol is an alumnus of the School of Performing Arts Seoul. She started her idol career under MBK Entertainment. After training for 8 months, Chayeon made her debut in 2015 with the girl group DIA. Taking a break from the group’s activities, the idol went on to compete in Produce 101. After I.O.I disbanded, the idol returned to her agency and DIA.
She also made her acting debut with the k-drama ‘109 Strange Things’ in 2017. As a part of DIA, Chaeyeon is all set to make her comeback with the girl group in August 2022. Currently, under PocketDol Studio, DIA’s contract is expiring soon. According to the rumors, the girl group is disbanding after its comeback. The idol also had k-dramas like ‘The King’s Affection’, ‘My First First Love 1 & 2’, and ‘I Am…’, to her name. Chaeyeon is all set to come back with the upcoming k-drama ‘The Golden Spoon’. She’ll be starring alongside Yook Sae Jung, Yeonwoo, and Lee Jong Won.
Also Read: Who Are ‘Secret Number’ Kpop Girl Group’s Members?
Doyeon
Rank: 8
Hailing from Gangwondo, Kim Do Yeon is popularly known by her stage name Doyeon. Being a 99-liner, Doyeon’s birthday is on December 4. As a member of I.O.I, Doyeon served as the visuals and vocalist of the girl group. She’s an alumnus of Seoul School Of Performing Arts. She started her idol career under Fantagio Entertainment as a trainee. She went on to train for 17 months. Competing on Produce 101, the idol was known as a contestant who was well-balanced and an all-rounder.
Soon after I.O.I disbanded, the idol went back to her agency and prepared for a debut. In 2017, Doyeon went on to join the girl group Weki Meki with fellow member Yoojung. Along with Weki Meki, Doyeon is also a part of a collaboration group ‘WJMK’ with ‘Cosmic Girls’. Also working on her acting career, she appeared in web k-dramas like “To Be Continued”, “Idol Fever”, “Pop Out Boy!”, and “Single & Ready to Mingle”. She also appeared in the k-drama ‘One The Woman’ to play the younger versions of the main characters.
Also Read: Who is Lee Sun Bin’s Boyfriend? The South Korean Singer’ Dating Life
Mina
Rank: 9
Another alumnus from Seoul School of Performing Arts, Kang Mi Na, aka Mina, is a rising star from I.O.I. Being a 99-liner, Mina’s birthday is on December 4. As a member of I.O.I, Mina served as the lead dancer, vocalist, and rapper of the girl group. Singed with Jellyfish Entertainment alongside fellow member Kim Sejong, the idol trained for 13 months. Embracing and working on her skills, the idol went on to continue her role as the lead dancer and rapper in GUGUDAN, aka the group she made her debut with after I.O.I disbanded.
Mina also went on to make her acting debut with the 2018 k-drama ‘Dokgo Rewind’. But she only got popular in the k-drama scene after her supporting role in the 2019 k-drama Hotel Del Luna. Recently, she also appeared in the 2021 k-drama Moonshine and will be coming back with the 2022 k-drama ‘Café Minamdang’.
Also Read: Kang Mi Na On The K-Drama Moonshine & Her Idol Career
Nayoung
Rank: 10
Hailing from Seoul, Lim Na Young is popular with her stage name Nayoung. Being a 95-liner, Nayoung’s birthday is on December 18. As a member of ‘I.O.I’, Noayoung served as the leader of the girl group. She was the main rapper, lead dancer, and vocalist for ‘I.O.I’. The Dongduk Girls University alumnus has been dreaming about becoming a k-pop idol for a while. Growing up, she looked up to k-pop idols like Girls’ Generation, Suzy, Uee, and Angel Haze. The idol went on to start her career as an idol trainee under Pledis Entertainment in 2010. Training for 4 years and 7 months, she went on to participate in the survival show.
As I.O.I disbanded, she returned to the agency. In 2017, Nayoung went on to make her debut as the leader of the girl group PRISTIN. Becoming one of the ‘it groups’ soon after their debut with tracks like ‘Get It’, PRISTIN disbanded in May 2019. Soon after leaving Pledis the same day, Nayoung went on to sign with Sublime Artist Agency. The idol went on to make her acting debut with the k-drama Flower of Evil. She recently appeared in the 2021 k-drama ‘Heartbeat Broadcasting Accident’ alongside SF9’s Zuho. Nayoung is all set to star in the upcoming k-drama ‘4 Minutes 44 Seconds’.
Also Read: Blackswan Members: Here Is Everything About Them
Yeonjung
Rank: 11
Alumni of Hanlim Multi Art School, Yu Yeon Jung is popular with her stage name Yeonjung. Being a 99-liner, Yeonjung’s birthday is on August 3. As a member of I.O.I, Yeonjung served as the main vocalist of the girl group. She started out as an idol trainee under Starship Entertainment. She went on to train for 15 months. She’s also known to be a part of SM Entertainment as an idol trainee. Later on, she became a part of Yuehua Entertainment and went on to compete in Produce 101.
Soon after I.O.I disbanded, Yeongjung returned to the company. She made her debut with the girl group ‘Cosmic Girl’ as the maknae. She also competed in the dance reality show Queendom 2 along with her group members. After their last comeback in 2021, ‘Cosmic Girls’ are all set to make another comeback in the summer of 2022 with a special single album.
