The group's concert titledTime Slip – I.O.I, which was held on January 20 to 22, 2017, marked their last group activity on stage. They officially disbanded at the end of January 2017 and returned to their respective agencies.
In November 2015,Mnet announced their new survival show that would bring together 101 trainees from 46 entertainment companies to form a unit girl group with eleven members chosen by the viewers. The show premiered on January 21, 2016, and ended on April 1, 2016.[3][4]
It was initially planned for the group to debut on April 1, 2016, with the song "Crush," which they performed as part of the finale of the show, but YMC Entertainment and Mnet decided to postpone the debut to better prepare the group's concept and choreography with a new song as I.O.I's debut single.[10] Itsgenre was referred to as "Trapical Dutch Funk" (트래피컬 더치 펑크).[11]
On April 3, 2016, a representative gave details of the plans for the debut of the group. Instead of releasing a digital single as initially planned, I.O.I would be releasing an EP with various songs.[12] It was also reported that the group would have their own reality show on Mnet.[13][14] On the same day, the members greeted the fans for the first time as I.O.I via their official NaverV app channel.[15]
I.O.I officially debuted on May 4, 2016, through the release of their first album,Chrysalis, accompanied with a music video for the title track "Dream Girls". The song is a trap pop dance track co-written byEru and Paul with rap lyrics written by members Lim Na-young and Choi Yoo-jung.[16][17] On May 5, the group held their debut stage onMnet'sM Countdown, performing the title track and "Knock Knock Knock".[18] On the same day, the group held their debut showcase and fan meeting atJangchung Gymnasium inSeoul.[19]
On June 10, 2016, YMC Entertainment revealed Lim Na-young, Chungha, Zhou Jieqiong, Kim So-hye, Choi Yoo-jung, Kim Do-yeon and Jeon So-mi as members of I.O.I's unit group, slated to promote the group's second album during the summer of 2016.[20] Jung Chae-yeon joined herMBK Entertainment groupDIA for a comeback,Kim Se-jeong andKang Mi-na were preparing for their debut as members ofJellyfish Entertainment's girl groupGugudan at the time, andYoo Yeon-jung was added intoStarship Entertainment's girl groupWJSN for their second comeback.[21][22][23]
On August 9, 2016, the sub-unit released a single titled "Whatta Man (Good Man)". The song was inspired byLinda Lyndell's "What a Man" and was produced byRyan S. Jhun who also composed I.O.I's song "Crush".[24] The choreography for "Whatta Man" was arranged by member Chungha.[25]
On October 17, 2016, I.O.I released their extended play titledMiss Me?. The title track, "Very Very Very", was written, composed and arranged byPark Jin-young, founder of Jeon So-mi's agencyJYP Entertainment. With a rhythm of 206 bpm, the upbeat and energetic song is one of the fastest that Park has ever made.[27][28] The group's special comeback show titledI Miss You Very Very Very Much Show was aired live through Mnet on October 16, 2016, followed by the release ofMiss Me? and the title track's music video at midnight.[29]
I.O.I received their first music program trophy as a whole group with "Very Very Very" onShow Champion on October 26.[30]
On November 5, 2016, YMC Entertainment confirmed that I.O.I would be disbanding on January 31, 2017. The group would still be actively promoting until the end of their contracts; including guest appearance on variety shows such asImmortal Songs: Singing the Legend,Yang and Nam Show andKnowing Bros.[31][32][33][34] From January 20 to 22, 2017, I.O.I held their final concert titledTime Slip – I.O.I. The three-day concert was held in Jangchung Gymnasium, where the group held their debut showcase.[35]
I.O.I's unit group in December 2016
On January 10, 2017, it was revealed that I.O.I had received songs from various producers and songwriters as potential songs for their final release, includingB1A4'sJinyoung.[36][37][38] On January 17, YMC Entertainment announced that the group's final track before official disbandment would be "Downpour", written and co-produced bySeventeen'sWoozi. The ballad was personally chosen and recorded by all eleven members of the group. The digital single and its music video was released the next day at midnight.[39][40][41]
I.O.I's last schedule as a group was on January 25, 2017. They filmed a newCF for school uniform brand Elite along with boy groupPentagon.[42][43] The band officially disbanded on January 29, with the members' last television show appearance onMBC'sSection TV and the fan cafe closing down on the 31st.[44][45] It was also announced on January 31 that I.O.I's song "Downpour" wonInkigayo's final January 2017 trophy with no live broadcast due to Lunar New Year's Day.[46]
On July 1, 2019, Studio Blu confirmed that the group would return in October 2019 with nine members, excluding Yoo Yeon-jung and Jeon So-mi.[47][48] On September 6, the planned comeback was postponed to December.[49] On October 29, the comeback was canceled due to scheduling conflicts between the members and the ongoingMnet vote manipulation investigation.[50] On May 4, 2021, the 5th anniversary of the group's debut, the group (except forMina andJieqiong) held a reunion livestream.[51] Jieqiong managed to join the livestream via video calling.[52]
It was reported on March 24, 2016, that even before the finale ofProduce 101, the group already confirmed sevenCF deals for different companies with an estimated profit of₩1.4 billion.[90]
On April 4, 2016, I.O.I was appointed as new model forEtude House, Mom's Touch Chicken and Burger, Woongjin Foods' Haneul Bori Ice Sparkling Water andHiteJinro's Chamisul.[91] However, due to the legal drinking age in South Korea, only three members,Lim Na-young,Chungha andKim Se-jeong, were involved in filming of the ad for a new alcoholic beverage by distillerHiteJinro.[92][93]
On April 11, 2016, I.O.I was chosen as the advertising model for mobile games fromNetmarble,100 Shots 100 Hits andStoneAge. They also sang theOST of the games.[94] The next day, the group was confirmed as the new endorser forSK Telecom, South Korea's largest wireless carrier.[95]
I.O.I also endorsedCJ CheilJedang's dessert brand Petitzel Eclairs and Korean fashion brand Pancoat.[96][97]
On May 25, 2016, I.O.I was appointed as the promotional models forKB Kookmin Bank, one of the largest banks in South Korea. On June 7, 2016, the group was chosen as the exclusive models of online marketplace Auction.[98][99]
On August 18, 2016, school uniform brand Elite announced their collaboration with I.O.I andPentagon as their new models.[100]
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