'Produce 48' finalists soon to make official debut as IZ*ONE

Jang Won-young of IZ*ONE. Yonhap

By Lee Min-young

A Korea-Japan mixed girl band, composed of finalists in the Mnet Idol survival show "Produce 48," is set to make its debut under the name "IZ*ONE."

According to its management agency Off-The-Record Entertainment, Monday, the group's first album COLOR*IZ will be released on Oct. 29, making its official debut after a fierce three-month competition among more than 100 would-be idols ended early last month.

The debut album will be available from 6 p.m., Oct. 29, on major online music streaming services.

The agency said it would also run an idea contest on its SNS through Oct. 18 to name the group's fan club.

The name "IZ*ONE" was chosen by online public vote during the show. It embodies the hopes of fans that the 12 members will always shine bright like the stars and stay united.

12 member act IZ*ONE. Yonhap

The Korean finalists were Lee Chae-yeon, Kim Min-ju, Kim Chae-won, Kang Hye-won, Kwon Eun-bi, Ahn Yoo-jin, Choi Yena, Jo Yuri and Jang Won-young. The three Japanese participants, who have already made their debut in Japan, are Miyawaki Sakura and Honda Hitomi of AKB48, and Yabuki Nako of HKT48.

The 12-member IZ*ONE has been formed through “Produce 48,” the third season of Mnet's popular idol “Produce 101.”

The show has drawn considerable attention because it was the nation's first joint-project with Japanese entertainment agency AKS, inviting members of popular Japanese girl group AKB48 to compete with Korean girls for the top 12.