Just weeks ago, some critics questioned whether I.O.I’s long-awaited reunion had arrived too late. Today, the legendary girl group is proving those doubts wrong with one of the most impressive comeback stories of the year.
I.O.I’s 10th-anniversary reunion has become one of the hottest topics in K-pop. When the group first released its anniversary single, “Suddenly,” the song struggled to gain traction on digital charts, leading many to worry that the public’s interest in the former national girl group had faded after years of inactivity.
However, everything changed after the group’s first round of promotional performances. Strong live stages, undeniable chemistry among the members, and a powerful wave of nostalgia from longtime fans helped propel the song up the charts at an astonishing pace.
As of 8:00 a.m. KST on May 29, “Suddenly” achieved its first Real-time All Kill by reaching No. 1 on all major real-time music charts in South Korea. The song topped Bugs, FLO, VIBE, Genie, and MelOn TOP100, placing I.O.I in direct competition with trending younger acts such as ILLIT and CORTIS.
The momentum continued the following day. By May 30, “Suddenly” had accumulated 26 Real-time All Kills. Even more notably, I.O.I became the first group of 2026 to achieve a “roof hit” on MelOn, a milestone awarded when a song reaches the platform’s maximum real-time listener threshold. Fans are now hopeful that the group can maintain its momentum long enough to secure a Perfect All Kill.
Physical album sales have also shown encouraging signs. Early sales figures for the anniversary album I.O.I: Loop initially sparked concerns, with one day reportedly recording only 195 copies sold. The disappointing start led some online critics to label the group as “past its prime.”
Since then, album sales have surpassed 10,000 copies, helping to silence many of those criticisms. Encouraged by the positive response, the members decided to extend their promotional activities by an additional week beyond the original schedule.
I.O.I also held the first night of its anniversary concert series on May 29 at Jamsil Indoor Stadium. The group performed beloved hits that defined a generation of K-pop fans, including “Very Very Very,” “Downpour,” “In The Same Place,” and “Whatta Man.”
Fan-recorded videos from the concert quickly spread across social media, with many viewers expressing emotional reactions to seeing all the members sharing the stage together again nearly a decade after their disbandment.
Behind the success story is an equally emotional tale of sacrifice and determination.
During a recent television appearance, members Chungha and Yeonjung spoke candidly about the financial realities of organizing the reunion project.
According to Chungha, the anniversary comeback was never expected to generate significant profits. She explained that focusing on individual schedules would have been far more beneficial financially for the members. Nevertheless, everyone agreed that the emotional value of the reunion outweighed any monetary considerations.
Yeonjung echoed the sentiment, revealing that the members understood from the beginning that the project would likely operate at a loss. Even so, they chose to put financial concerns aside in order to stand on stage together once more.
Chungha also revealed that she personally contacted each member to gauge interest in a reunion before approaching the group’s former management team for assistance with organizing the project.
Each member reportedly faced the additional challenge of obtaining approval from their current agencies. Since previous reunion discussions had repeatedly fallen through over the years, Chungha and the members approached this comeback with a heightened sense of commitment and determination.
After hearing these behind-the-scenes stories, many fans expressed admiration for the members’ loyalty to one another and their dedication to preserving the legacy of I.O.I.
The group is scheduled to hold two more anniversary concerts at Jamsil Indoor Stadium on May 30 and 31. Following the Seoul performances, I.O.I is expected to bring its 10th-anniversary tour overseas with planned stops in Thailand and Hong Kong, giving international fans an opportunity to celebrate the milestone reunion alongside the members.
Sources: K14