Even heavy spring rain could not stop the excitement as K-pop project group Wanna One reunited with fans seven years after their disbandment. On April 6, the group held an opening ceremony at DMC Culture Park in Mapo-gu, Seoul, celebrating the launch of Mnet Plus’s new variety show Wanna One Go: Back to Base. The event allowed members to meet their fandom, Wannable, in person and marked a memorable return since their final farewell concert at Gocheok Dome in January 2019.
Nine of the eleven members attended the ceremony, including Park Ji Hoon, Lee Dae Hwi, Kim Jae Hwan, Ong Seong Wu, Park Woo Jin, Yoon Ji Sung, Hwang Min Hyun, Bae Jin Young, and Ha Sung Woon. Kang Daniel and Lai Kuanlin were unable to attend due to military service and overseas commitments, but standees representing them were placed at the venue to show the group’s unity. Fans stayed overnight in the rain to secure spots, demonstrating their loyalty and excitement for the reunion.
Wanna One Returns in Nostalgic School Uniforms, Celebrating Fans And Legacy
The members appeared in school uniforms similar to those worn during Produce 101 Season 2 in 2017. They greeted fans individually and later gathered in a circle, highlighting their strong bond. Hwang Min Hyun expressed his hope to spend more time together with fans. Since debuting in 2017, Wanna One has achieved tremendous success, selling over a million albums, performing at Gocheok Sky Dome, and winning major awards. Their popularity helped define the “Wanna One syndrome” and established their place alongside groups like EXO and BTS in K-pop history.
After disbanding, the members pursued solo careers as singers, actors, and producers. Their reunion project, Wanna One Go: Back to Base, set to premiere on April 28, aims to deliver new content while evoking nostalgia. As pioneers of Mnet’s Produce series and creators of the “Sangam pop” sound, Wanna One remains influential, leaving a lasting legacy and inspiring the next generation of K-pop groups.
