Best of IZ*ONE

IZ*ONE (아이즈원) - a South Korean–Japanese girl group formed through the Mnet reality competition show Produce 48. Produce 48 brought together 96 girls from idol groups and entertainment companies in Japan and South Korea to form a 12-person Korean-Japanese group that would promote for two and a half years. The group, managed by Off the Record (Stone Music) and Swing Entertainment, is composed of twelve members 9 Korean Singers (from Starship, WM, Stone Music, 8D Creative, Yue Hua Ent., Woolim Ent., & Urban Works) and 3 Japanese Singers - 2 from HKT48 and 1 from AKB48. All three Japanese members will halt activities with their respective 48 groups to focus on IZ*ONE. In Japan, the group releases are done through EMI. 

Wiki Says - The group's name, Iz*One (stylized in all caps), was suggested by netizens through the official Produce 48 website and chosen by CJ ENM. "IZ" is a numeronym for the number 12, a homage to their twelve members, while "ONE" indicates that they are one as a group. The asterisk (*) between "IZ" and "ONE" symbolizes the astrological signs of the zodiac.

Members include: Jang Won-young, Sakura Miyawaki (HKT48), Jo Yu-ri, Choi Ye-na, An Yu-jin, Nako Yabuki (HKT48), Kwon Eun-bi, Kang Hye-won, Hitomi Honda (AKB48), Kim Chae-won, Kim Min-ju, and Lee Chae-yeon.

Note: I have followed both Miyawaki Sakura & Yabuki Nako from HKT48 and know a lot about them!!

Jang Won-young, Jo Yu-ri, Choi Ye-na, An Yu-jin, Kwon Eun-bi, Kang Hye-won, Kim Chae-won, Kim Min-ju, and Lee Chae-yeon once again prove that the training they have received from their respective label/agency is once again proving why KPop is so much loved around the world. They are all vocally talented and sound very beautiful. Absolute joy to listen.

Also Sakura, Nako & Honda add to the vocal talent. They have an exclusive 2.5 year contract with IZ*ONE. They are scheduled to return to their respective 48 groups in Mar/Apr 2021.

Group Debut:

IZ*ONE debuted on October 29, 2018 with their first extended play (EP) Color*Iz. The group's Japanese debut single, "Suki to Iwasetai", was released on February 6, 2019 under UMG's EMI Records label. IZ*ONE since have released one studio album, six extended plays (three in Korean and three in Japanese). According to Billboard, they debuted as a Top 10 act in World Album Charts.

Musical Style:

The music, the singing style, the visuals, the costumes of IZ*ONE reminds one of GFRIEND. This is a typical KPop group, absolutely! The Japanese songs sound more Korean than Japanese. 

The Best of IZ*ONE:

For me the two Japanese Songs are by far the best I have heard for a long time now. 

Suki to Isetawai

Yume wo Miteiru Aida (Japenese Version)

As We Dream (꿈을 꾸는 동안) is the best Korean Song.

Discography (EP / Singles):

• Color*Iz
• Suki to Isetawai 
• Heart*Iz
• Beunos Aires
• Vampire
• Oneiric Diary

Other Top Hits of IZ*ONE:

• Eyes

• Destiny
• Beautiful Color

• Memory
• Merry Go Round (Korean / Japanese Versions)

• Secret Story of the Swan (Korean / Japanese Versions)

• To Reach You

Fan Favourites:

• FIESTA
• La Vie en Rose
• Violeta
• Beware
• So Curious

• Spaceship
• Neko ni Naritai
• Gokigen Sayonara
• Airplane
• Rumor

The Miyawaki Sakura Story:

HKT48 First Gen Member Miyawaki Sakura is nothing more than "The Perfect Idol" in Japan to be part of AKB48 & HKT48 Groups. She was an instant fan favorite and charmed everyone with her positive attitude towards her work, performance and dedication. 

She served as Center and in Row 1 / Kami 7 for many Singles of AKB48 & HKT48. She became a regular as well of the Senbatsu Single Senkokyou of AKB48 (Annual General Election for AKB48 Group Members). She almost managed to grab the top spot in 2008, but finished a heartbreaking 3rd behind SKE48 members, with Matsui Jurina taking top honors. This was after HKT48 Theater Manager & Member Sashihara Rino dominated the elections with 4 wins and bowed out after 2017. This left only Sakura as the top contender for the #1 Spot but Matsui Jurina was much experienced, far superior to her and had a bigger fan base than Sakura. It was a devastating blow to her. 

In an interview/show, she found it unacceptable as to why Japanese Idols are not famous or not been taken seriously by fans outside Japan, thus wanted to join in Produce48 on MNET, a reality show a new KPop/JPop group and led the HKT48 contingent to the show. Even here Matsui Jurina was a contender, who later decided to drop out of the show. After a series of rounds and multiple controversies over Vote Manipulation it was finally decided the new group will have 12 members and was named as IZ*ONE. 

The battle to get top spot was close between HKT48's Miyawaki Sakura and Starship's Jang Won-young, with Won-young taking the first place, confirming her position as IZ*ONE's center. Yabuki Nako (HKT48) and Hitomi Honda (AKB48) also made it safely into the final 12. The last 12th Spot was up in the air so to speak and AKB48's Miyazaki Miho, another 48 group front runner lost to Lee Chae-yeon. Tough luck for AKB48 Group members as many popular members/idols bit the dust or were not considered, if you see the chart below.

Full List of Produce48 Participants:

* Finalists are mentioned in Pink.

Member Gallery:

From Produce48:

Singles Promotions: