JO1

JO1 is a Japanese boy group formed through Produce 101 Japan Season 1, the reality competition that aired in 2019. The show selected its final eleven through viewer votes, and the group officially debuted under LAPONE Entertainment on March 4, 2020. Their debut single album, Protostar, reached number one on Oricon's weekly singles chart, establishing an immediate commercial milestone in Japan. JO1's early releases carried songs such as "Infinite," "Oh-Eh-Oh," and "Shine A Light"; these tracks helped define a performance style built around synchronized choreography and rapidly alternating vocal parts. During 2020 pandemic restrictions, the members continued appearing on Japanese television and streaming programs while developing their first full-length album, The Star. Released in November 2020, The Star included "Starlight," "Safety Zone," and "Monstar," and gave the group an album-format showcase beyond its singles. In 2021, JO1 released the singles Stranger and Wandering; "Real" and "Prologue" showed the group's move between forceful dance numbers and more melodic material. "Prologue" was used as the opening theme for the anime adaptation of Fanfare of Adolescence, connecting JO1's music with a television production. Their second album, Kizuna, arrived in May 2022 and topped the Oricon weekly album chart; its title means "bonds" in Japanese, reflecting a stated theme of connection. The record included "SuperCali," a song whose title refers to a phrase from the musical Pippin, as well as "With Us," the opening theme for the anime adaptation of Ya Boy Kongming! In 2023, the group released the album Equinox and the singles "Tiger" and "Venus," continuing its practice of pairing Japanese and English. Equinox included "Tiger," "Venus," and "RadioVision," while "Tiger" became one of JO1's recognized stage songs through its sharp choreography. In addition to recordings, JO1 has built a live presence through concerts including 2022's Kizuna arena tour and 2023's Beyond the Dark tour. JO1 has appeared at KCON events in Japan, Thailand, Korea, and Los Angeles, giving the group international festival exposure. The group won Best New Asian Artist at the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards and later received Japan Gold Disc Award honors for its releases. Its fans are officially called JAM, a name formed from "JO1" and "me," emphasizing the relationship between performers and supporters. From a televised formation to chart-topping singles and arena tours, JO1's record is rooted in Japan's audition era. Its success has also made it one of the era's defining acts nationally.