I.O.I “Suddenly” Goes Back to 2016 Through Nostalgic Reunion Comeback
Photo: I.O.I Official X
Nayoung, Chungha, Sejeong, Chaeyeon, Sohye, Yeonjung, Doyeon, Yoojung, and Jeon Somi of I.O.I have reunited for the group’s tenth anniversary. Formed on 2016’s Produce 101 Season 1, I.O.I demonstrated the explosive potential of what Mnet survival show groups could accomplish in a short amount of time. Before the age of 2.5-year, 5-year, or even renewed contracts for these survival show groups, I.O.I remained active for only nine months—and that proved enough to reshape how the industry moved. With I.O.I coming back in the midst of WANNA ONE’s reunion and ZEROBASEONE’s first promotional period as a five-member group, their presence acts as a full-circle moment. Nine out of their 11 members have come back together to release I.O.I’s third EP, LOOP, on May 19, and it brings nostalgia in more ways than one.
TRACKLIST:
“IOI (Where My Girls At)”
“Suddenly”
“SPF 100+ (Summer Pop Fantasy)”
“IF I”
“Then, Now and Forever”
“Goodbye With A Smile (Recorded in 2016) (Prod.Jinyoung)”
An Emotional Reunion
Co-written by Somi, “Suddenly” marks a sentimental return for I.O.I. This retro synth-pop evokes warm, reflective emotions. Though “Suddenly” has all the hallmarks of a captivating track—bringing back I.O.I’s vocally-rich lineup together is a dream—it lacks the celebratory feeling of a long-awaited reunion. It sounds more like a “goodbye” than a “welcome back” gesture. The grainy filter of the music video, which shows miscellaneous scenes of the members enjoying themselves, supports this bittersweet image.
The B-sides on LOOP include even more involvement by the I.O.I members. Somi wrote and co-composed “IOI (Where My Girls At),” a chill house-based song that begins the EP with an energetic sound. The only song without production involvement by I.O.I or ties to the past is the Afrobeats song “SPF 100+ (Summer Pop Fantasy),” a dynamic track that needs a spot on everyone’s summer K-Pop playlists.
Yeonjung co-wrote and co-composed the song “IF I,” a song jumping into the recent rock trend in K-Pop. Chungha wrote and co-composed “Then, Now and Forever,” a tear-jerking ballad, which sets up the EP’s final song. LOOP closes with “Goodbye With A Smile (Recorded in 2016) (Prod.Jinyoung),” a previously unheard song with all members’ voices. It presents an alternate universe where I.O.I disbanded in 2017 with this song, not “DOWNPOUR.”
Getting nine members of an 11-member group to come back, especially since all have their own individual careers 10 years later, is no easy accomplishment. It’s all thanks to Chungha, who began the project last year after messaging each member individually. Though Mina, who was busy with acting, and Kyulkyung (also known as Pinky) could not join the comeback, LOOP still carries the heart of the full group. The K-Pop industry has changed drastically since I.O.I made their debut on May 4, 2016, but the group has left a long-standing impact felt for multiple K-Pop generations.