I.O.I Returns After 9 Years and Tops K-POP's Domestic Power Index

Nine years after going their separate ways, I.O.I has returned, and the reunion is doing more than triggering nostalgia. Music show stages and fancam clips from the group's comeback are spreading fast online, pulling in longtime fans and a new audience at the same time.

According to the K-POP analytics platform K-POPiT BOARD on May 28, I.O.I ranked No. 1 on the domestic Power Index (PWR_KR) with a score of 68.7. The Power Index combines global music chart performance, social media activity, and news coverage into a single figure.

As of that day, I.O.I sat at No. 1 on Melon, one of South Korea's largest streaming services, and TikTok mentions of the group had doubled. The Momentum Index (MOM), which tracks this week's buzz, came in at 71.2. The D-tier growth rate, which measures interest from general listeners outside the core fandom, jumped 477 percent. In short, online conversation about the group spiked sharply in the days after the comeback.

A message from member Kang Mina on a fan communication platform also helped push the numbers up. I.O.I returned as a nine-member lineup. Kang Mina and Zhou Jieqiong sat out due to prior scheduling, but some online users floated rumors of internal conflict. Kang Mina addressed the talk directly through the fan messaging app. "We told each other we missed each other and said congratulations today too. We basically text every day, so why is everyone so tired with this feud talk. Use that time to congratulate I.O.I on No. 1 instead," she wrote, shutting down the rumor.

I.O.I was active for only nine months before disbanding, and the gap since has stretched nearly a decade. Even so, public interest has held. The group reunited to mark its 10th debut anniversary, releasing its third mini-album "I.O.I : LOOP" on May 19 and returning to music shows and TV appearances. Stage videos and fancams from the comeback have been moving quickly through social media and online communities.

Part of what's keeping the buzz going is the strength of the individual members. I.O.I was originally formed from 101 contestants on the survival show "Produce 101," and the eleven who made the final lineup were the ones who left the strongest impression on viewers. Each member came in with a proven personal following and on-camera presence. Since the comeback, the members have made the rounds on variety shows, where their name recognition and quick humor have landed well with audiences. K-POPiT BOARD reflects that, with notable gains in both buzz and momentum metrics.

The reunion is also moving onto the live stage. I.O.I held "2026 I.O.I Concert Tour: LOOP in SEOUL" at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa, Seoul, from May 29 to 31. After opening the tour at home, the group will travel to Bangkok and Hong Kong to meet international fans.