On Monday, 1 July, it was announced that K-Pop girl group, I.O.I (also known as Ideal Of Idol) will be reuniting this coming October. The group disbanded in 2017, but it was revealed via an Instagram statement by Studio Blu that the Produce 101 alumni will be regrouping with 9 out of 11 of its original members on board. 

The members confirmed to be in the I.O.I reboot are Chung Ha, Kim Sejeong, Choi Yoojung, Kim Sohye, Zhou Jieqiong, Jung Chaeyeon, Kim Doyeon, Kang Mina and Im Nayoung. No reason was given as to why Jeon Somi and Yoo Yeonjung are not part of the reunion, but they will still be "cheering [them] on and giving [them] strength from close by". 

The full statement is as follows, as translated by Soompi:

Hello, this is I.O.I.

At our last concert, we promised to meet again. We have each been working hard in our own fields, always dreaming of a reunion like our fans.

We have now decided that in October 2019, Kim Sejeong, Choi Yoojung, Chungha, Kim Sohye, Zhou Jieqiong (Kyulkyung), Jung Chaeyeon, Kim Doyeon, Kang Mina, and Im Nayoung will be standing in front of you again under the name I.O.I.

We wanted to meet the fans who have been waiting for us as soon as possible. Although Jeon Somi and Yoo Yeonjung were not able to join us this time, they will be cheering us on and giving us strength from close by.

We will continue to communicate about I.O.I’s preparations and promotion schedule. Once again, we’re happy to be able to give good news to the fans who have waited for us.

Check out the original Instagram statement by Studio Blu below.