Last week it was announced that the 11-member Japanese boy group JO1 would be having their first ever appearance in Europe at KCON GERMANY hosted in Frankfurt from September 28th to 29th 2024.
KCON is a global K-pop festival that had its first edition back in 2012 in the US, and has since then spread and had events all over the world (including its online editions KCON:TACT in 2020-2021 during the worldwide covid-19 lockdowns). This time KCON coming to Germany and Frankfurt for the first time in September this year.
Their 1st lineup was teased and later released on July 17th, and the Japanese 11 member boy group JO1 is announced to be appearing, making it their first official appearance in Europe since their debut in 2020!
Who are JO1?🚀
JO1 (pronounced Jay-Oh-One) is the lineup consisting of the top 11 trainees during the very first edition of Produce 101 Japan (2019).
The eleven members forming the group are Yonashiro Sho (leader), Kawashiri Ren, Shiroiwa Ruki, Kono Junki, Sato Keigo, Kawanishi Takumi, Kimata Syoya, Ohira Shosei, Kinjo Sukai, Tsurubo Shion, and Mamehara Issei.
You can read more about Produce 101 Japan in this blog post from our official partner Swedish-Japanese Performer Association.
Differing from the original South Korean versions, all trainees that participated in Produce 101 Japan were individual trainees not signed under an agency. This not only made JO1 the first ever group to come out of a Produce 101 series without a set disbandment date, but also attracted trainees from all levels of experience, creating an entertaining show where the viewers could watch trainees work hard to catch up to their experienced peers. This is reflected in the JO1 member lineup as well, with having members with background as professional dancers, a former underground idol, and former K-pop trainee, but also those who had absolutely experience in the entertainment industry. Since debuting in 2020 with their single PROTOSTAR and the title track INFINITY (無限大; mugendai), they have shown steady improvement both individually and as a performance group alike, earing their spot on larger stages such as the Kyocera Dome in during their 2nd tour in 2023. The group has also taken South-East Asia by storm, and had a successful Asia tour ‘BEYOND THE DARK’ LIMITED EDITION last year as well.
Their music style and performance reminds a lot of K-pop, and it’s no wonder as they are a product of an adaptation of a South Korean idol survival show. The group is active under LAPONE Entertainment, a company owned by the South Korean entertainment giant CJN ENM and the Japanese entertainment company that houses many of the most popular Japanese comedians Yoshimoto Kogyo Co. Ltd. The majority of JO1 (and their little brother group from the second season of Produce 101 Japan; INI) songs are written, produced, and choreographed by famous K-pop talents from the K-pop industry. They have performed at popular music shows such as MCountdown, THE SHOW, Music Bank, and Inkigayo in South Korea, as well as won awards at the MAMA Awards. Despite this strong influence from K-pop in their look, feel, and sound, this group is uniquely Japanese in a way as well. All the members are born and raised in Japan, promote and are mostly active in Japan, release their music in Japan; all targeting the Japanese music industry and the massive and loyal Japanese music audience. They also have a focus on interacting with fans (if you compare fairly generally with similar South Korean K-pop acts), and have the unique ‘watching your idols grow‘ aspect which is typical for J-pop idols. It is said by some that by combining and balancing these K-pop and J-pop aspects, JO1 has created a new genre of idols.✨
Whilst they might not be very known among the general public outside of Japan and Asia as of yet, thanks to their huge success with their various activities in Japan, they have received their first chance to perform in Europe at KCON Germany which will take place at Messe Frankfurt on September 28th and 29th 2024. We hope that this appearance will give them the chance to show off their incredible performance, their various individual talents and personalities, to truly be able reach their dream of becoming a group that is famous all over the world! 🌍🌟
FOLLOW JO1
Official Site & Fanclub: https://jo1.jp/
X: @official_jo1
YouTube: JO1
Instagram: @official_jo1
TikTok: @jo1_gotothetop
Weibo: JO1_GototheTop
FOLLOW KCON GERMANY
X: @kcon_germany
Instagram: @kcon_germany