Fictional Group IRION Makes Real-Life Debut with “Memoria”
Photo: IRION OFFICIAL X
The idol groups shown in the K-Drama My Idol, My Debut will launch real-life promotions. The drama, which premiered through MBC PLUS on July 16, follows the fictional journeys of trainees who eventually debut in boy group BOY TO THE MOON and girl group IRION. IRION made their real-life debut on July 18 with the single album Memoria. This digital release brings the lives of Annie, Aji, Karin, and Aisa from the screen to the stage. Most of the actresses portraying these singers bring idol experience, making this transition a no-brainer.
Past Examples of Fictional Idol Groups
Other idol-centric K-Dramas have managed to make their fictional K-pop groups more real. Though some released music on streaming platforms, not all dramas go as far as giving their groups performances. The most prominent idol group examples come from the 2021 K-Drama Imitation.
Imitation revolves around the lives of three fictional groups: boy groups SHAX and Sparkling, and girl group TEA PARTY. The artists received their own social media handles, digital music releases, and real-life music show performances. TEA PARTY consists of Maha (actress Jung Jiso), Hyunji (former I.O.I and PRISTIN member Nayoung), and Ria (soloist Minseo). They performed their single “Show Me” at Music Bank on April 30, 2021, a week before the drama aired.
Annie and Aji
Actress Hwang Jia portrays Choi Annie, the show’s main character who unexpectedly becomes an idol after traveling back in time. In order to stop her friend-turned-bias Han Jaeha (portrayed by The Boyz’s Q) from pursuing the idol life, which ultimately leads to his stabbing death in present day, Annie joins his entertainment company to keep an eye on him. Hwang Jia has been acting since 2018, and landed her first main role last year with First Love, a series focusing on the love stories of six teen couples.
WOOAH’s Nana portrays Kang Aji, the “mean girl” who others struggle to get along with. Nana’s career as an idol and as an actress started in 2020—after making her idol debut that August, she made her acting debut that December in the drama No Going Back Romance as Chae Bona. WOOAH recently made a comeback with the single “SUMMER” on July 13, 2026.
Karin and Aisa
My Idol, My Debut marks the acting debut of tripleS’s Kaede, who portrays Japanese member Karin. The show introduces Karin alongside Aisa as the foreign trainees adapting to life in South Korea. Kaede debuted as one of the first 10 tripleS members in February 2023 with their EP ASSEMBLE. Their latest comeback happened with their <LOVE&POP> pt.1 EP on June 1, 2026.
Soloist AISA also scores her first acting credit through the show. She portrays an alternate version of herself. The Mexican singer made her debut with the single “Every Piece of Me” on October 18, 2025. She is signed under MINARI ENTERTAINMENT, the same company that manages the real-life activities for artists from My Idol, My Debut.
“Memoria”
“Memoria” brings J-Pop influence with light, elegant piano chords on top of an energetic bass line. As the drama has not yet shown the group’s concept, this direction comes as a surprise. The song evokes the sounds found in GFRIEND's and Lovelyz's discographies. PRISMFILTER continues to deliver standout production work.
The music video for “Memoria” comes with a short introduction of Aisa calling the members to assemble, then it starts with the song’s proper instrumental. It functions as a choreography video shot in a warehouse, which includes motorbikes in the background.
IRION quickly started their promotions after the song’s launch. Their first in-person performance happened on July 19 at the 72nd MEGA STAGE event at the Megabox COEX Mall in Gangnam District, Seoul. Interested fans can watch IRION through My Idol, My Debut episodes, which come out every Thursday at 11:30 p.m. KST. Fans can also look forward to more performance opportunities ahead, including their performance on Show Champion this Wednesday.