The I-LAND K-pop reality show applicants ended up greeting global fans on New year's Eve to debut this year as released by HYBE LABELS JAPAN.

On December 31st, 2020, fans were so excited when Big Hit Japan (now HYBE LABELS JAPAN) uploaded a video and announced that five I-Land contestants - EJ, Kyungmin, K, Taki, and Nicholas - will be soon globally debuting after recruiting more members through an audition.

Adding to the excitement, are the well-known figures of the K-pop music industry as the mentors for this group. The main mentor is none other than Mr. Bang PDnim (HYBE's Chairman & CEO, Producer) himself. Bang is joined by BIGHIT MUSIC‘s Pdogg (Producer), and Son Sung-Deuk (Performance Director), Sakura Inoue (Performance Director), and Soma Genda(Producer & Sound Director) from Japan will be joining as a collaborative project. Along with these Mentors, Ryosuke Imai and UTA will participate in the project as Special Advisors directly from the Japanese music industry.

A timeline was being presented but not enough to suffice fans' curiosity and thirst regardless of the debut group's appearance.

Unexpectedly, one member, Kyungmin, left the group earlier this month. This confused supporters on what happened, which was later clarified by a statement. 

It was also stated that there are changes on the plans due to COVID, saying the group will debut in South Korea instead. This rumor was fueled when Sakura Inoue had flown to South Korea, as shown on her Twitter account.

Rumors circulated that the group's debut was supposedly on April 12 this year, but no evidence backed it up. Moreover, desperate fans are now doubtful if the boys will debut this year since the lack of news. We are well aware that the plans are well hidden, knowing Bang's tactics (remember V was hidden until BTS debut). 

Fans are growing impatient. Will HYBE's Japanese debut group make their debut this year?