ITZY

ITZY is a South Korean girl group from Seoul, signed to JYP Entertainment and active since 2019. The group consists of YEJI, LIA, RYUJIN, CHAERYEONG and YUNA. It performs k-pop and is known in Korean as 있지, with Katakana spelling イッチ.

Formation and debut

The group debuts on 12 February 2019 with the title track “달라달라 (DALLA DALLA)”, taken from the debut single album IT'z Different. Itzy’s official fandom name is MIDZY, written in Hangul as 믿지, and the name means “trust” in Korean.

Early releases

ITZY’s first release after debut is the EP IT'z ICY, which arrives in July 2019 and presents a summer teen-crush concept. Its promotional single is “ICY”. In March 2020, the group releases its second EP, IT'z Me, led by “WANNABE”, which becomes widely known for its choreography and the “Ryujin shoulder dance”.

The third EP, Not Shy, follows in August 2020. An all-English version of “Not Shy” is later released alongside English versions of the previous three title tracks. In March 2021, ITZY releases “Trust Me (MIDZY)”, a fan song for MIDZY issued in two versions, including an English version.

2019 to 2022: expanding releases

GUESS WHO, the fourth EP, is released in April 2021 and features “마.피.아. IN THE MORNING”. An English version of the title track follows in May 2021. In September 2021, ITZY releases its first full-length album, Crazy In Love, with the title track “LOCO”. The album also includes an English version of “LOCO” and instrumental versions of all of the group’s title tracks.

The fifth EP, Checkmate, arrives in July 2022 with “Sneakers”. It becomes the group’s fourth number-one album, its first million-selling release, and its first top-ten album on the Billboard 200, debuting at number eight. Later in 2022, ITZY releases Cheshire and then Kill My Doubt, both of which reach number one on the Circle Album Chart, enter the top 25 of the Billboard 200, and sell more than a million copies.

Japanese releases and further albums

ITZY’s first Japanese studio album, Ringo, is released in October and reaches the top ten of the Oricon Albums Chart. It is preceded by the singles “Voltage” and “Blah Blah Blah”, both of which peak at number three on the Oricon, and includes the title track “Ringo”.

The group then continues with BORN TO BE, issued in January 2024 as its eighth mini album through JYP Entertainment, Republic Records and Dreamus. It is promoted while LIA is on hiatus, with the group appearing as a quartet. The release is preceded by individual solo tracks for each member: “BLOSSOM” by LIA, “CROWN ON MY HEAD” by YEJI, “RUN AWAY” by RYUJIN, “MINE” by CHAERYEONG and “YET, BUT” by YUNA. The album campaign also includes the pre-release single “Mr. Vampire” and the title track “UNTOUCHABLE”.

Tours and later activity

With BORN TO BE, ITZY announces the BORN TO BE World Tour, beginning with two shows at Jamsil Arena in Seoul before continuing across Asia, North America, Europe, South America and Oceania. The tour concludes in Hong Kong in August 2024. During the tour, the group also releases its third Japanese single, “Algorhythm”, with “No Biggie” as a B-side.

LIA returns to group activities in July 2024. The group later releases the mini album GOLD in 2024.