10 Years Later, I.O.I Finally Lands in Hong Kong

For the tens of thousands of fans who have been following I.O.I since they first formed on a reality competition stage a decade ago, a single piece of news has been enough to send the fandom into a frenzy: the group is going to Hong Kong — and it will be the first time they've ever performed there.

The iconic K-pop project group has officially added Hong Kong to their 2026 Concert Tour: LOOP, with two shows confirmed at AsiaWorld-Expo Hall 10 on June 20 and 21. The announcement caps off what is already one of the most emotionally significant comebacks in recent K-pop memory — a 10th anniversary reunion that has brought nine of the original eleven members back together on stage.

A Tour Built on a Decade of Waiting

The LOOP tour is both a celebration and a full-circle moment. I.O.I debuted in May 2016 after being formed through Mnet's groundbreaking survival program Produce 101, where 101 trainees from dozens of entertainment companies competed for a spot in a limited-run project group determined entirely by public vote. The show was a cultural phenomenon, and the group that emerged from it — eleven members united under the name I.O.I, short for "Ideal of Idol" — became an instant sensation.

Their run together was brief by design. From the beginning, I.O.I was structured as a temporary group, with each member contracted to return to their respective agencies after approximately one year. They disbanded in January 2017, leaving behind a catalog of songs and a fanbase that never quite stopped hoping for a reunion.

That reunion finally came in full form in early 2026, when Swing Entertainment officially confirmed on February 23 that nine of the eleven original members would reunite for a 10th anniversary project — including a new album set for May 2026 and the multi-city LOOP tour. The name itself carries weight: it nods both to the idea of coming full circle and to the group's renewed connection with their fans, picking up a thread that was never fully set down.

Who's Coming Back — and Who Won't Be There

Nine of I.O.I's eleven members are participating in the 2026 reunion, making it the largest gathering of the group since they officially disbanded. The lineup includes some of K-pop's most recognizable names: Jeon Somi, who became a major solo artist after leaving the group; Kim Chungha, now one of South Korea's biggest solo performers; Kim Sejeong, who has successfully built a dual career as a singer and actress; and Yoo Yeonjung, who first hinted at the reunion during a December 2025 radio appearance.

Two members are unable to participate. Kang Mina, who transitioned into acting, could not clear her schedule due to overlapping drama commitments. Zhou Jieqiong — known as Kyulkyung, the group's Chinese member — also faces scheduling conflicts that prevented her from joining. Their absence is a reminder of the logistical challenges that reunion projects inevitably face, but the nine members present represent a remarkable alignment of schedules and intentions across a group that has spent a decade pursuing separate careers.

The Full Tour Schedule

The LOOP tour opens in Seoul, the group's home base, with three shows at Jamsil Indoor Stadium from May 29 to 31. From there, the tour moves to Bangkok, Thailand on June 6, followed by the Hong Kong finale on June 20 and 21.

The tour is notably limited in scale — three cities, six nights — which has only amplified the urgency fans feel about securing tickets. Each stop is being treated as a major event in its own right, and Hong Kong's designation as the closing leg carries particular significance: it is the first time I.O.I has ever scheduled a performance in the city, making the two shows a genuine first for both the group and their Hong Kong fanbase.

Tickets for the Hong Kong shows will go on presale through Trip.com on April 15 (10:00 AM – 11:59 PM), with general sale beginning April 16 via Cityline and Damai. Pricing ranges from HKD $899 for Standard C seats up to HKD $1,799 for Premium packages, which include either a Sound Check experience or a Hi-Bye meet and greet, along with Hong Kong-exclusive photocards, a lanyard, and a badge. One hundred posters from the Premium tier will be randomly signed by members.

Why This Moment Matters

To understand why the I.O.I reunion resonates so deeply, it helps to look at where many of these members have ended up. Several of the original eleven went on to have careers that exceeded even the considerable expectations set by the show that created them.

Kim Chungha developed into one of K-pop's most respected solo acts, earning praise for her technical skill and stage presence. Jeon Somi became a YG Entertainment solo artist with a global following. Kim Sejeong has headlined K-dramas and built a devoted fanbase across multiple platforms. Other members built steady careers within K-pop groups — Jung Chaeyeon with DIA, Choi Yoojung and Kim Doyeon with Weki Meki, Lim Nayoung with Pristin, and Yoo Yeonjung with WJSN.

Seeing all of these paths converge again, even briefly, is precisely what makes the LOOP tour feel significant beyond its concert dates. It is a reminder that for many K-pop fans who came of age watching Produce 101, I.O.I represents not just a group but a specific chapter of their lives. The group debuted when many of those fans were teenagers. They're returning when those same fans are adults — and the emotion of that gap is woven into every aspect of how the tour has been received.

What Comes Next

Alongside the tour, I.O.I is preparing a new album for May 2026 release — their first new music in nearly ten years. Details remain limited, but its arrival ahead of the Seoul opening shows is clearly designed to give fans something new to connect with before the concerts begin. The combination of new music and live performances is the full reunion experience the fandom has been hoping for, and the May-to-June timeline makes it one of the most anticipated K-pop events of the year.

For Hong Kong fans specifically, June 20 and 21 represent the culmination of a very long wait — not just for this reunion, but for any I.O.I performance in their city at all. That distinction is not lost on the group's organizers, who have positioned the Hong Kong stop as the "meaningful finale" of the entire tour. It is, in the most literal sense, the last chance to see this particular lineup together on stage under this particular banner — and tickets are likely to move fast.

Presale opens April 15 for Trip.com members. General ticket sales begin April 16 at Cityline and Damai.