7th/2/17

I don't usually recommend K-pop to people; the fans are insane and usually not in a good way, they're entitled and spoiled and usually bratty. But I have a special group to tell you all about, one that is worth enduring the k-pop fans for. They are the 11 girls in the picture, and their stories are bittersweet. These girls came together under the name I.O.I. or Ideal of Idol through the show Produce 101 in early 2016. (IOI, 101, see the similarity? It's intended) These girls went through rigorous training and challenges to be evaluated by the public to debut as a girl group. The girls' names are:

(Top Row- left to right)

Yeonjung, Sohye, Yoojung, Mina, Pinky

(bottom row- left to right)

Chaeyeon, Nayoung, Chungha, Sejeong, Doyeon (the girl laying in front is Somi)

What makes these girls so amazing, so special, is that they are all from different entertainment companies- essentially record labels in South Korea- And they were picked for their skills and determination by South Korea's public. For instance, Sohye entered the show being told that there was to be an acting portion of training. (There wasn't) She was training to be an actress and not an idol. 

Needless to say, she wasn't good. She lacked confidence and a sense of rhythm and many other things. Her voice was lacking in well... Everything. The trainers belittled her and ignored her to focus on other trainees who showed promise. But during the second challenge, Sohye was put on a team with Sejeong, one of the highest ranking trainees. Sejeong taught her endlessly, giving her praise whenever she did something right, and it worked.  In the next challenge, Sohye chose to try a dance focus. She was put with Pinky and Chaeyeon to perform to the song 'Full Moon' by Sunmi. 

https://youtu.be/Ke6qVm1lMS8

She got second place out of all the dance trainees, meaning that a lot of people voted for her, and I don't blame them. Her singing, dancing, and confidence has improved greatly throughout this past year and so has everyone else's. Yoojung was extremely introverted and had been separated from her friends due to... something. I'm still not sure what but the trainers evaluating trainees put her in a lower level. But now? She's one of the most charismatic and busiest members. Each member has her own charms and have carved their place in the K-pop industry, which is sooooo hard to do in a year! But all together they are IOI and they are amazing. 

https://youtu.be/1BVV9UqELbA

Unfortunately their time as IOI has ended. Their contract only lasted a year and last month, they disbanded. Still, each girl's story is continuing. Sejeong and Mina are part of a group called Gugudan, Yeonjung joined a pre-existing group called WJSN or Cosmic Girls, Sohye is hosting shows, Pinky and Nayoung are getting ready to debut in a group called Pristin, Chaeyeon is part of a group called DIA, Chungha is set to debut as a soloist, Yoojung and Doyeon are going to debut in a group this summer, and Somi is due to either solo debut or join a pre-existing group under her company JYP entertainment. But they have made it clear that they want to come back together in five years, and that their friendships will last forever. 

Thank you IOI, for blessing the world with your wonderful stories.