Former members of IZ*ONE, Yabuki Nako and Honda Hitomi, are challenging themselves to re-debut in a K-pop girl group. Nako and Hitomi will be participating in Mnet's survival show, 'Queendom Puzzle'.
'Queendom Puzzle' is a spin-off of 'Queendom' series that first aired in 2019. Unlike previous seasons where active girl groups competed, this season has changed its format to combine former girl group members like puzzle pieces to create a global project girl group.
Nako and Hitomi will participate as individuals rather than as a group, competing for a spot in the final debut team. The two of them are experienced in K-pop girl group survival shows. They were selected as the final members of IZ*ONE through Mnet's 'Produce 48' in 2018. The group disbanded in April 2021, after 2 years and 6 months.
After IZ*ONE, Nako returned to HKT48 and graduated from the group earlier this month. Last month, she appeared as an MC on SBS M's Korean-Japanese collaboration audition show, 'The Idol Band: Boys Battle'. At that time, she also expressed her intention to start her career as an actress. Hitomi also returned to AKB48 as the center of the group after IZ*ONE's disbandment. In July last year, she made her debut as an actress in a Japanese drama.
Another Japanese member of IZ*ONE, Miyawaki Sakura, re-debuted in LE SSERAFIM along with Kim Chaewon last year and has been actively promoting since then.
Regarding this news, Mnet has released a statement saying, "We are in the process of casting, it's difficult to comment at this point."
https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/now/article/011/0004180635
-I'm really happy to have them back in South Koreaㅠㅠ But even if they make it to the final line-up, it's just going to be another girl group 'project'...ㅠㅠ
-Nako has graduated from her group, but Hitomi is still an active member of AKB48. Does that mean she will go on another hiatus for this show?
-Hul... That is amazing. I really miss having Nako in South Koreaㅠㅠ
-Judging from the last sentence, I don't think they have been confirmed to participate in the show, though?
-They should stop participating in girl group 'projects' and debut in a real girl group...
-Hul... Don't they have a large fandom? If they really do participate in this show, the possibility of them making it to the final lineup is going to be really highㅋㅋㅋ
-Isn't Hitomi the center of her group in Japan?
-Hul... That's crazy. It seems like it hasn't been confirmed yet, but I will absolutely be rooting for them if they participate in this show.
-Hitomi, I will be rooting for you!! I hope you can continue to promote in South Koreaㅜ
-Are they going to create a new girl group from 'Queendom Puzzle' and make them participate in 'Queendom 3'?
-Again?
