KB 'picks I.O.I up' as new promo girls

K-pop girl band I.O.I was chosen as the new models for KB Kookmin Bank. / Courtesy of KB Kookmin

By Nam Hyun-woo

KB Kookmin Bank said Wednesday it has chosen the hot-shot K-pop girl band, I.O.I, as its new promotional models.

This is the first time that the bank has signed a contract with a girl band as its models, according to the bank. So far, KB has been relying on sports stars, such as Olympic champion figure skater Kim Yu-na, rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae and golfing great Park In-bee, for its promotions, but I.O.I members’ energetic image has led the bank to make this unprecedented choice, a bank official said.

As part of the deal, I.O.I will appear in advertisements and other promotional images of the bank’s product lines targeting young customers. Also, the band will perform at a concert held by KB for its customers in July. The contract will be retained until February next year, when the project group is set to be disbanded.

I.O.I is comprised of 11 girls who were selected out of 101 trainees from various entertainment agencies during a popular survival show, titled “Produce 101,” aired from January to April. Immediately after their debut on May 4, I.O.I became the talk of the town, with their hook song, titled “Pick Me.” The aggregate sales of their debut album “Chrysalis” surpassed 40,000.

“KB hopes I.O.I’s energetic image will be reflected in the bank’s advertisements,” an official at the bank said.