PremiumI-LAND2 N/a - Ahead of new season, a look at where the I-LAND boys who did not debut with ENHYPEN are
This list will exclude the 7 boys - Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki - who made their debut on the show.
Last Updated: 05.39 PM, Apr 13, 2024
After a successful season one, which saw the rise of the now K-pop sensation ENHYPEN, Mnet is scheduled to premiere the sequel to 'I-Land' called 'I-Land2: N/a'. The new season aims to debut a girl group under CJ ENM, Wakeone, and THEBLACKLABEL.
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Ahead of the release of the new season on April 18, let's revisit the boys from the first season and see where they are now. The first edition was created by BigHit Entertainment and CJ E&M Entertainment's joint company, BELIF+ Lab, which saw 23 contestants participate, with only 7 making their debut with ENHYPEN.
This list will exclude the 7 boys - Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki - who made their debut on the show.
K
Birth Name: Koga Yudai
Rank in I-Land: 8
This dancer and vocalist from Japan was born on October 21, 1997. He made it to the Final 12 before he was eliminated.
However, his dreams did not end there as he made his debut with HYBE's Japanese Boy Group &TEAM. For that, he had to once again become a participant in HYBE Labels Japan's survival show '&AUDITION – The Howling'. He made his debut on December 7, 2022, with the mini album 'First Howling: ME'.
Daniel
Birth Name: Daniel Kim
Rank in I-Land: 9
This Korean-American vocalist, born on March 26, 2006, also made it to the final round but was eliminated just before his debut.
Later, he left BE:LIFT Lab and signed with PLEDIS Entertainment under HYBE Labels as a trainee, nearly debuting with the new group TWS. However, he left the agency and is now an independent soloist.
Hanbin
Birth Name: Ngô Ngọc Hưng
Rank in I-Land: 10
This dancer and vocalist from Vietnam was born on January 19, 1998. He reached the semi-final before being eliminated by the producers.
To make his dream of debut come true, Hanbin left BE: LIFT Lab and joined Yuehua Entertainment on June 1, 2021. He went on to make his debut in the company's boy group TEMPEST on March 2, 2022.
TA-KI
Birth Name: Takayma Riki
Rank in I-Land: 11
This dancer from Japan was born on May 4, 2005. He made it to the Final 12 but was eliminated before reaching the semi-finals after global votes did not favour him.
However, TA-KI continued to dream of his debut and was later confirmed to be in the lineup for HYBE's Japanese Boy Group &Team. He made his debut on December 7, 2022, with the mini album 'First Howling: ME'.
Geonu
Birth Name: Lee Geon Woo
Rank in I-Land: 12
This vocalist from Korea celebrates his birthday on February 2, 2001. He was the first participant to be eliminated after reaching the Final 12 by the producers. His elimination came as a shock to him, as he was ranked 11th while TA-KI was ranked 12th. However, his teammate got saved as his group won the advantage after topping the BTS mission and Geonu had to depart.
After his stint in I-LAND, he left BE:LIFT Lab to make his debut dream a reality and went on to sign under Bluedot Entertainment. He got the opportunity and became the first member to debut in the group JUST B.
EJ
Birth Name: Byun Eui Joo
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
This singer from Korea was born on September 7, 2002. He did not make it to Part 2 of I-Land after losing in global votes.
However, he still made his debut, but with another group, as he was confirmed to be in the lineup for HYBE's Japanese Boy Group &TEAM. He made his debut on December 7, 2022, with the mini album 'First Howling: ME' and was even made the leader of the group.
Kyungmin
Birth Name: Jo Kyung Min
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
This Korean singer, born on October 28, 2004, also failed to secure a spot in the Final 12 of I-Land. On December 31, 2020, he was unveiled as a member of the HYBE Labels Japan Global Debut Project - &Team. However, he parted ways with the company due to disagreements over the envisioned direction.
He later signed with MNH Entertainment, where he debuted as part of the boy group 8TURN on January 30, 2023, with the mini album '8TURNRISE'.
Taeyong
Birth Name: Kim Tae Yong
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
Born on August 20, 2004, this Korean singer also fell short of making it to the Final 12 of I-Land due to global votes.
While others were aspiring to debut as idols, Taeyong revealed his intention to refocus on pursuing his acting dreams. He has an active Instagram page - taeyong_0820.
Nicholas
Birth Name: Wang Yixiang
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
This rapper and dancer from Taiwan was born on July 9, 2002. He also fell short of making it to the Final 12 of I-Land due to global votes.
However, he got a chance to debut in the HYBE Labels Japan group &TEAM. He made his debut on December 7, 2022, with the mini album 'First Howling: ME'.
Jaebeom
Birth Name: Jung Jae Beom, but legalized it to Jung Echan
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
Born on May 17, 2001, this Korean vocalist failed to secure a spot in the Final 12. However, he departed from BE:LIFT Lab and went on to join HYPLE Entertainment as a singer-songwriter and producer. He made his solo debut on June 23, 2022, with the single 'Eternal Summer'.
He later participated in MNET's survival show Boys Planet but was eliminated in Episode 8, ranking 49th. He also frequently shares updates on his Instagram - j.echan.
Jimin
Birth Name: Chu Ji Min
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
Born on October 11, 2001, this singer failed to secure a spot in the Final 12. But soon enough, he departed from BE: LIFT Lab and joined BlueDot Entertainment, where he debuted as JM under the group JUST B.
He debuted as a JUST B member on June 30, 2021, with the mini-album 'Just Burn'.
Sungchul
Birth Name: Noh Sung Chul
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
This vocalist from Korea, born on December 11, 2003, didn't secure a spot in the Final 12, but he garnered attention during his time on the show.
After leaving BE: LIFT Lab, he went on and signed with Fantagio where he made his debut on April 2, 2023, in the company's new boy group LUN8. He first appeared in the group's debut mini-album 'Continue?' under the stage name IAN.
Youngbin
Birth Name: Lee Young Bin
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
Born on November 23, 2001, this singer from Korea also missed out on making it to the Final 12. However, his dreams of debuting did come true, only to be shattered by a scandal.
He departed from BE:LIFT Lab and signed with Keystone Entertainment, where he was unveiled as the first member of the boy group BLANK2Y. He made his debut on May 24, 2022, with the mini album 'K2Y I: Confidence [Thumbs Up]'.
However, it all came crashing down on February 25, 2023, when an anonymous individual came forward accusing idol 'Y' of dating violence, later confirmed to be Youngbin. Later the agency confirmed the rumors and announced the idol's departure.
Seon
Birth Name: Choi Seung Hyuk, but legalized it to Choi Se On
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
This vocalist from Korea, born on December 14, 1999, was always among the contestants who did not make it to the Ground for most of the 1st part. However, he couldn't impress the producers enough to make it to the Final 12.
Soon afterwards, he began working as a member of the producing team 'CIELOGROOVE' under the names ON & SEON.
On March 14, 2022, he released his first SoundCloud exclusive, 'Die For You'. On November 20, 2022, he made his solo debut with the digital single '24/7'. He is also active on his Instagram account - @seonxs.
Jaeho
Birth Name: Choi Jae Ho
Rank in I-Land: Eliminated in Round 1
This vocalist and dancer from Korea, born on April 10, 2001, did not make it to the Final 12. Following that, he opened an Instagram account, leading fans to speculate that he left BE: LIFT Lab.
He was very active on his Insta with the handle itsmeho, but it has been long since he posted anything and many also believe he could have returned to the trainee days.
Yoonwon
Birth Name: Kim Yoon Won
Rank in I-Land: Withdrawn
Born on April 16, 2005, this Korean vocalist had to withdraw from the show due to an injury.
Yoonwon is rumoured to be training again after his leg incident on I-LAND.