I.O.I Reunited for 10th Anniversary and Reveals "We’ve Never Left Our Group Chat in 10 Years"

The legendary project girl group I.O.I (Ideal of Idol), who originally stole the hearts of millions as the foundational pioneers of Mnet’s reality survival franchise Produce 101, has officially reunited to celebrate a monumental milestone: the 10th anniversary of their debut.

Since wrapping up their historic promotional cycle and transitioning into individual paths nearly a decade ago, the members have frequently spoken about their enduring friendship.

However, their latest collective appearance has sent shockwaves of nostalgia and emotion through the global K-pop community.

Gathering together for an intimate, high-energy reunion dinner, the group pulled back the curtain on the unbreakable sisterhood that kept them connected behind the scenes throughout their long hiatus.

The emotional reunion content was shared via a special vlog uploaded to Jeon Somi’s official digital channel.

It featured a full-table gathering of the members who have actively paused their stacked individual solo schedules to breathe life back into the I.O.I brand.

Amid laughter, tears, and a deluge of memories, the members proudly revealed that despite being scattered across entirely different entertainment agencies, musical lanes, and acting fields, they have maintained a continuous line of daily communication.

Expressing their immense pride in their lasting bond, the members happily shared,

“We’ve never left our group chat in 10 years.”

This touching revelation instantly went viral online, providing a heartwarming anchor for a fandom that has spent years hoping for a formal comeback.

Kim Chung-ha’s Leadership and an Emotional Trip Down Memory Lane

Gathering eleven busy individuals in the fast-paced entertainment industry is an administrative nightmare, and the I.O.I members were quick to pinpoint exactly who deserved the credit for turning the complex anniversary dream into a physical reality.

During the dinner, main vocalist Yoo Yeon-jung expressed deep gratitude toward Kim Chung-ha, revealing that a grand-scale reunion is a project that is extremely difficult to carry out unless one specific person really steps up to take charge.

Yeon-jung noted that Chung-ha selflessly took the lead, acting as the primary coordinator to organize the logistics, manage communication lines, and establish a framework that made it possible for the group to assemble in full force.

As the conversation shifted deeper into their memories, the reality of their reunion began to truly settle in, triggering an emotional downpour at the table.

Member Kim Do-yeon shared a touching reflection on how precious their current time together feels, confessing that what the members really feel while making their new music and practicing choreography so intensely is that they would have regretted it deeply if they hadn’t chosen to do this.

Do-yeon noted that because their original disbandment phase moved so quickly back in January 2017, she hadn’t fully processed that their final stage back then was truly the last time they would stand together.

This sentiment caused rapper Choi Yoo-jung to break down into tears of pure gratitude, overwhelmed by the immense effort every member put into the project.

As Yoo-jung struggled to find her words through her tears and softly whispered, “I can’t talk about it,” the remaining members immediately cut through the heavy atmosphere with their signature playful, sisterly banter.

They nonchalantly responded, “Then do it by text,” drawing massive roars of laughter across the room and beautifully illustrating the comfortable, effortless dynamic they have preserved since 2016.

A Record-Breaking Reunion Era: “LOOP” and the Realization of a Fairy Tale

This 10th-anniversary milestone has proven to be far more than a sentimental dinner; it marks a massive, full-scale commercial return that has completely re-energized the music landscape.

Under the careful co-management of Swing Entertainment, I.O.I officially made their triumphant return by dropping their highly anticipated third mini-album, “I.O.I: LOOP,” anchored by the emotionally resonant, chart-topping lead single “Suddenly.”

Reflecting the current moment of their historic reunion, the track achieved an immediate Real-Time All-Kill (RAK) across domestic music charts, proving that the public’s love for the “Nation’s Girl Group” has not decayed with time.

The promotional era has beautifully highlighted the versatility of the members, many of whom have built highly successful alternative careers over the past decade.

While Jeon Somi and Kim Chung-ha have flourished as elite soloists, members like Kim Se-jeong, Jung Chae-yeon, and Kim Do-yeon have transitioned into top-tier mainstream actresses.

Due to severe, pre-existing scheduling conflicts with active filming sets, members Kang Mi-na and Zhou Jieqiong were physically unable to join the performance stages, but they heavily participated mentally, sending continuous waves of public support.

Following the explosive reception of their new music, the participating members (Jeon Somi, Kim Se-jeong, Choi Yoo-jung, Kim Chung-ha, Kim So-hye, Jung Chae-yeon, Kim Do-yeon, Lim Na-young, and Yoo Yeon-jung) successfully concluded their domestic promotions with a historic, three-day solo concert titled ‘2026 I.O.I Concert Tour: LOOP in SEOUL’ at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium.

To give fans an intimate look behind the curtain, the group filmed a full-group appearance for MBC’s popular reality program “The Manager,” documenting their intense rehearsal processes.

With the domestic chapter beautifully closed, I.O.I is now preparing to take their legendary catalog across international borders for an autumn Asia tour including stops in Bangkok and Hong Kong, fulfilling a decade-old promise to their loyal global fanbase.