Six years ago, on October 29, 2018, IZ*ONE made their debut. Kwon Eunbi, Miyawaki Sakura, Kang Hyewon, Choi Yena, Lee Chaeyeon, Kim Chaewon, Kim Minju, Yabuki Nako, Honda Hitomi, Jo Yuri, An Yujin, and Jang Wonyoung participated in Mnet’s PRODUCE 48 and became one of the largest fourth generation girl groups. In honor of this anniversary, Ladies Corner will be taking a look at where IZ*ONE’s former members are now these next two weeks, with this week looking at their music careers.  The following week’s column will focus on their acting careers, as Hyewon, Minju, and Nako transitioned out of the music industry.

While this article does not detail IZ*ONE’s career, The Kraze’s “Let’s Travel Down the IZ*ONE Road” serves as a nice summary of what they achieved. The group’s first release, COLOR*IZ, came with the title track “La Vie en Rose,” and their final EP, One-reeler / Act IV, came with the title track “Panorama.” The group disbanded in April 2021. 

Sakura and Chaewon: LE SSERAFIM

After IZ*ONE’s disbandment, Sakura went back to Fukuoka-based sister group to AKB48, HKT48, and Chaewon went back to her original company Woolim Entertainment as a trainee. However, Sakura’s return was short lived as she graduated from the group in June 2021. By March 2022, Sakura and Chaewon’s paths crossed again when they signed contracts with Source Music. They formed the lineup of LE SSERAFIM, where Chaewon became the leader. Joined by fellow PRODUCE 48 alumnus Huh Yunjin, the group made their debut with the EP FEARLESS on May 2, 2022. LE SSERAFIM’s latest title track “CRAZY,” which has been climbing global charts, will receive a Japanese version in December.

Yujin and Wonyoung: IVE

Yujin and Wonyoung returned to Starship Entertainment to assemble the girl group IVE. Yujin leads the six-member group, who made their debut with the single album ELEVEN on December 1, 2021. Their latest Korean EP, IVE SWITCH, continues to chart well, something IVE has done since debut. They recently released their Japanese EP ALIVE in August, led by the summery title track “CRUSH.” 

Hitomi: SAY MY NAME

The latest post-IZ*ONE group, SAY MY NAME, made their debut two weeks ago with Hitomi as their leader. Though Hitomi promoted with AKB48 for years after IZ*ONE’s disbandment, she graduated from it in January 2024. She eventually became a trainee under Korean entertainment company iNKODE, co-founded by soloist and former TVXQ! member Kim Jaejoong. SAY MY NAME’s debut title track “WaveWay” came out on October 16. Who knew IZ*ONE’s lineup would create three leaders in future girl groups? 

Kwon Eunbi’s Solo Career

IZ*ONE’s leader, Kwon Eunbi, made her solo artist debut with her first EP OPEN on August 24, 2021. Under Woolim Entertainment, she continued to release singles and EPs throughout 2022 and 2023. Her title track “Underwater” from the EP Lethality became especially popular after a performance at summer music festival WATERBOMB SEOUL 2023. This year she released the single album SABOTAGE and the single album Please Summer!, a remake of the 2002 song of the same name by male K-Pop duo Indigo. She also featured on soloist and PENTAGON member Hui’s single “Easy dance,” a song first performed at WATERBOMB DAEJEON 2024. 

YENA’s Solo Career

Returning to Yuehua Entertainment, YENA showcased her charm once again when her debut EP ˣ‿ˣ (SMiLEY) dropped on January 17, 2022. This youthful pop and rock sound has remained mostly consistent with all her title tracks, even in her original Japanese single “DNA.” Her latest single, “NEMONEMO,” released on September 30, leans into a vibrant, carefree J-Pop style that takes inspiration from second generation K-Pop acts like KARA and Orange Caramel. It’s safe to say that YENA’s endearing image from IZ*ONE still shines through in her solo music. 

Lee Chaeyeon’s Solo Career

Known for her skilled dancing, Lee Chaeyeon pursued a solo career when she returned to WM Entertainment. She made her debut on October 12, 2022 with the EP HUSH RUSH, led by the title track of the same name. Her most well-known song, the 2023 single “KNOCK,” captivated social media and the charts with its dance challenges. Her most recent EP, SHOWDOWN, released on July 3, 2024. This summer track once again showcases her spectacular dancing. 

Jo Yuri’s Solo Career

After IZ*ONE, Jo Yuri went back to Stone Music Entertainment, whose music artists are now managed under WAKEONE. The former IZ*ONE main vocalist made her official solo debut with the single album GLASSY on October 7, 2021. She has since released two EPs, Op. 22 Y-Waltz: in Major and LOVE ALL, and multiple singles. She has only released OSTs this year, including the pop rock song “My Highlight” for the anime adaptation of the webtoon True Beauty.

Edited by Clark Royandoyan