Itzy

ITZY is a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment in Seoul, South Korea. The five-member group consists of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. The quintet officially debuted on February 12, 2019, with the release of their debut single album It'z Different, featuring the hit lead single Dalla Dalla. Recognized for their energetic choreography, empowering lyrics, and distinct visual concept centered around self-love and individuality, ITZY quickly established themselves as one of the leading pop acts of their generation, earning widespread international acclaim and numerous industry accolades since their launch.

Formation and Debut

JYP Entertainment began revealing details about their new girl group in early 2019, marking the agency's first girl group debut since TWICE in 2015. Prior to joining the ensemble, several members had already gained public exposure through various television survival programs and media appearances. Yeji appeared as a contestant on SBS's reality competition show The Fan in 2018, while Ryujin competed on JTBC's survival show Mix Nine in 2017, placing first among female contestants. Chaeryeong had previously appeared on SBS's K-pop Star 3 in 2013 and JYP's 2015 reality competition show Sixteen, which formed TWICE. Yuna had also appeared in promotional videos alongside labelmates Stray Kids in 2017.

Upon debuting in February 2019, the group achieved immediate commercial and critical success. The video for Dalla Dalla amassed over 14 million views within 24 hours on YouTube, setting a record at the time for a debut K-pop music video. The single charted prominently on domestic platforms, reaching the top positions on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart, and secured a entry on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. Shortly after, the release earned a platinum certification from the Korea Music Content Association, establishing ITZY as a major new force in the music industry.

Members and Roles

The lineup of ITZY features five distinct performers, each contributing specific skills to the group's dynamic stage presentations:

Yeji serves as the leader, main dancer, and lead vocalist. Known for her powerful execution and sharp dance movements, she frequently leads the group's performances and acts as a central spokesperson during public engagements.

Lia is the main vocalist of the group. Her soulful vocal tone provides emotional depth and melodic stability to the group's signature bass-heavy pop tracks.

Ryujin holds the roles of main rapper, lead dancer, and center. Her charismatic stage presence and versatile vocal style have made her a standout figure in performance routines.

Chaeryeong serves as a main dancer, sub-vocalist, and sub-rapper. Her fluid dance technique and expressive choreography work play an integral role in maintaining the complex performance standards for which the group is widely praised.

Yuna is the youngest member of the group, performing as a lead rapper, lead dancer, sub-vocalist, and visual. Her bright energy and distinctive charisma contribute significantly to the group's overall visual and musical identity.

Discography and Key Releases

Following their debut, ITZY established a consistent pattern of high-charting releases. Their first mini-album, It'z Icy, arrived in July 2019 led by the single Icy, followed by It'z Me in March 2020, which yielded the breakout international hit Wannabe. Wannabe gained extensive popularity for its iconic shoulder-dance choreography and strong self-empowerment themes, gaining music video views in the hundreds of millions and expanding their international fanbase.

In August 2020, the group released the mini-album Not Shy, followed by Guess Who in April 2021, featuring the title track In the Morning. Guess Who marked the group's first entry on the United States Billboard 200 chart. In September 2021, ITZY released their full-length studio album Crazy in Love, which debuted inside the top fifteen of the Billboard 200 and topped the World Albums chart. Subsequent mini-albums, including Checkmate in 2022 and Cheshire in late 2022, continued their strong chart presence globally.

The group has maintained an active release schedule in recent years. In late 2024, ITZY released the mini-album GOLD, which reunited all five members following a temporary health hiatus by Lia. In June 2025, they released the mini-album Girls Will Be Girls, followed by the EP Tunnel Vision in November 2025. In May 2026, ITZY released the album Motto, featuring solo compositions and group tracks that showcased their evolving musical versatility.

Concert Tours and International Presence

ITZY's live performance capabilities have been showcased through major international touring projects. Their inaugural global tour, the Checkmate World Tour, spanned 2022 and 2023, featuring sold-out arena shows across Asia and North America. In 2024, the group embarked on their second world tour, titled Born to Be, performing 32 concerts across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.

Beginning in February 2026, ITZY launched their third major concert tour, the Tunnel Vision World Tour. Commencing with multi-night performances at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, the tour scheduled performances across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines, demonstrating their sustained worldwide audience demand.

Awards and Cultural Impact

Throughout their career, ITZY has earned numerous major Korean music industry awards. During their debut year, they achieved a historic Rookie Grand Slam by sweeping the Best New Female Artist awards across major end-of-year ceremonies, including the Mnet Asian Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, Melon Music Awards, Seoul Music Awards, and Asia Artist Awards.

Beyond music chart performance, ITZY has been credited with popularizing teen-crush aesthetic concepts in K-pop, encouraging young audiences to embrace confidence and self-acceptance. Their influential brand presence has resulted in global endorsement partnerships with prominent international brands in fashion, cosmetics, and electronics.