Even if you didn’t watch the show, if you’ve payed any attention to kpop then you’ve probably heard of Produce 101 and the resulting group I.O.I. Such a large scale show has resulted in a large amount of interest in upcoming trainees and the appearance of many new girl groups. Right now most attention is on I.O.I and groups like DIA and gugudan. Now, p101 fans are getting ready for the debut of the newest group resulting from p101 - the project group I.B.I!

What is I.B.I? 

I.B.I was originally just a concept created by produce 101 fans for fun. The five members of IBI all came close to making it into IOI despite Mnets evil editing and lack of screentime. I.B.I stans for il ban in, basically meaning “ordinary person”. 

In July, it was announced that I.B.I would become a reality, as a project group managed by Loen. 

They will be releasing two digital singles and an M/V for the title track “Stealthily” on August 18th. They also will be having a showcase and will be appearing on SNL. 

Who are I.B.I?

“General” Lee Haein (22) - Unsigned 

- Recently left SS Entertainment

•  Ebonyhill - I Had a Man Cover
  
• Wonder Girls - Irony Cover
  
•  Gfriend - Me Gustas Tu Cover
  
• P101 Concept - Don’t Matter
  
• Don’t Matter Fancam
• SNSD - Beginning Cover 
• Younha - 첫눈에 Cover

“Quick” Kim Sohee (21) - Music Works 

- Member of Parody group “C.I.V.A”

• Mamamoo - Piano Man Cover
  
• Sistar - Push Push Cover 
• EXO - Call Me Baby Cover
•  P101 Concept - At The Same Place
• C.I.V.A - Why 
• C.I.V.A - Why Live / Radio
• Let’s Fight Ghost OST - Coincidence 
• IU - Let’s Meet on Friday Cover 
• eSNa - A Little Loving Cover
• All For You/Let’s Meet on Friday

“Light” Yoon Chaekyung (20) - DSP Media 

- Member of parody group “C.I.V.A”

- Former member of shortlived group “Puretty”, Kara Project contestant

• Baek Yerin - Bye Bye My Blue Cover
• SNSD - Into the New World Cover 
  
• Zion.T - Yangwha Bridge Cover 
  
• P101 Concept - At The Same Place
• C.I.V.A - Why
• C.I.V.A - Why Live / Radio
  
• Clock
• Yangwha Bridge Cover (Radio)

“Idiot” Lee Suhyun (20) - Unsigned

- Recently left SS Entertainment

• Miss A - Stuck Cover
  
• 4minute - Hot Issue Cover 
• Big Bang - Monster Cover
• P101 Concept - Don’t Matter 
• Hong Ji Young - Love Battery Cover
• Davichi - Love and War Cover

“Jjaek/Twitting” Han Hyeri (19) - Star Empire 

- Confirmed member of Star Empire’s new girl group (along with p101 contestants Kang Sihyeon and Kim Yunji: together known as OMZM) 

• Hong Ji Young - Love Battery Cover 
  
• 4minute - Hot Issue Cover
• Gfriend - Me Gustas Tu Cover
• P101 Concept - In The Same Place 
• OMZM: Cinderella 
• OMZM: Nine Muses Mashup ( Drama + Dolls) 
• OMZM: Gfriend - Me Gustas Tu Cover
• OMZM: IKON - Rhythm Ta Dance Cover 
• OMZM: Jewelry - I Really Like You Cover

I.B.I: Jewelry - I Really Like You Cover

Although they haven’t been getting much attention from English speaking kpop fans, they have been getting a lot of attention from Korean fans. They have managed to gain over 10,000 fans on Melon and managed to be in the top 5 girl groups on Melon along with Black Pink, I.O.I, Gfriend and Twice. They’ve managed this before debuting. A popular webtoon artist is even releasing webtoons about the members.

I.B.I is a great opportunity for them all to get a chance to debut and develop a more solid standing in entertainment. As of now the only member confirmed to be debuting in an official group from their own company is Hyeri. Please support I.B.I so that one day they all can get their chance at success.

Watch out for their debut on August 18th!