Summary:
The text describes the journey of the girl group IZ*ONE, formed through the reality show Produce 48 in 2018. The show featured Korean and Japanese trainees competing for spots in the final group. IZ*ONE, consisting of 12 members, achieved remarkable success in the K-pop industry, breaking records with their debut and subsequent releases. However, their popularity was overshadowed by a voting manipulation scandal involving the Produce series' producers. Despite the controversy, IZ*ONE continued their activities, defying expectations and staying together as a group.
1. A reality competition show, "Produce 101", premiered on Mnet in January 2016, featuring 101 trainees from various companies competing against each other for a spot in a new group .
2. The group, known as I.O.I, debuted in 2016 and achieved immediate success, standing up against other popular groups like Twice and Blackpink .
3. However, their success was short-lived as they were built as a temporary group and disbanded in January 2017 .
4. Mnet, the network behind "Produce 101", decided to do it again with "Produce 101 Season 2", featuring 96 contestants including 57 from Korean agencies and 39 from Japan .
5. The group that emerged from "Produce 101 Season 2" was Eyes Wide Open (E.W.O), consisting of 12 members .
6. Eyes Wide Open debuted on October 29th, 2018, and quickly gained popularity, breaking records for the most views of a K-pop girl group's debut within 24 hours and the most first-day sales .
7. Their album "Colorize" sold 282,000 units and was certified platinum, becoming the second-best-selling debut album by a girl group of all time .
8. In 2019, Eyes Wide Open released their second album "Heart Eyes", which sold 315,000 units and became the 20th best-selling album .
9. Controversy erupted in 2019 when it was alleged that viewers' votes on an idol audition show hosted by Mnet were being manipulated .
10. As a result of the scandal, the producers of the "Produce" series, Anjin Young and Kim Yong-Boon, were arrested for vote manipulation .
11. This led to a halt in all activities for Eyes Wide Open and Izone, who were also part of the Mnet audition system .
12. Despite the controversy and the disbandment of X1 in January 2020, Eyes Wide Open managed to make a comeback with their long-awaited single "Fiesta" and their first full album "Blue Eyes" .
13. Their album "Blue Mines" sold 493,000 units, making it the best-selling girl group album in Gaon Chart history .
14. In 2020, Eyes Wide Open released their fourth and last album "One Reeler Act Four", with their very last single "Panorama" .
15. In March 2021, Eyes Wide Open held their final concert, "The Story", marking their official disbandment .