[INTERVIEW] Rising from survival show, izna aims to conquer with new music 'SIGN'

By Pyo Kyung-min

K-pop survival audition shows are everywhere, but even after enduring the intense competition, making a lasting impact as a group is a whole other battle.

One act that has defied the odds is izna, a girl group formed in November 2024 through the second season of Mnet's hit audition franchise, "I-LAND2: N/a."

In an interview with The Korea Times on Wednesday, the group, composed of Mai, Bang Jee-min, Yoon Ji-yoon, Koko, Ryu Sa-rang, Choi Jung-eun and Jeong Sae-bi, reflected on their journey to debut, each forging their own path to the final lineup under much pressure. Yoon was absent from the interview as she was on a temporary hiatus for health reasons.

"Because we all took different routes to debut, we had to figure out how to blend each of our own unique styles," Bang said. "At first, it took time to adjust, but now we're so in sync that we can understand each other just by looking into each other's eyes."

The group bonded quickly, finding common ground through small moments from "late-night conversations about their trainee days" to "friendly little games during practice," according to the members.

"We've now learned so much about each other," Ryu added. "Now, even the smallest details bring us closer."

The girl group's official debut track, "IZNA," was what particularly propelled the girl group into the limelight.

Produced by Teddy Park — former YG Entertainment songwriter known for his work with BLACKPINK, the song's catchy chorus about self-affirmation, hummable melody and easy-to-follow choreography secured izna an early start in the competitive K-pop scene.

Sharing that they hadn't expected such immediate success, the members recalled how overwhelming it felt to see their own music videos and performances gain traction.

"Watching our debut stage at MAMA Awards was surreal," Japanese member Mai said in fluent Korean.

"I'd always been in the audience, so standing on that stage was both nerve-wracking and incredible ... Seeing our fans wave their official light sticks in the dark dome felt almost like stargazing — it's a moment I'll never forget."

Now, just four months later, the group is back with a new digital single, "SIGN," eager to showcase their evolution.

"Some might call it a quick comeback, but for us, it felt like a long wait," Mai said. "We wanted to return as soon as possible to show how much we've grown."

Their latest single, according to the members, is a heartfelt song about love and self-discovery, highlighting the group's softer side while maintaining their signature confidence.

"We focused on emotional expression this time," Choi, the group's most prominent vocalist, said. "Even during recording, we asked to redo parts to make sure every nuance came through."

The members sought inspiration from classic films like "Titanic" (1997) to modern rom-com dramas such as the 2024 hit show "My Lovely Runner" to better convey emotions in their performance.

"This song isn’t just about love — it's about pursuing dreams that really matter to us," Ryu said. "We approached it with that same passion."

Performing as a six-member unit for this comeback due to Yoon's temporary absence, the group remains steadfast. "We really miss her, but we're making sure her presence is still felt. We've grown stronger as a team," Mai said.

Beyond music, izna has their sights set on broader horizons. They hope to expand globally, perform at major festivals worldwide and explore opportunities in fashion and even entertainment.

"We'd love to go on a world tour and perform at global festivals, just like BLACKPINK did at Coachella," Jeong said, with Ryu quickly adding, "I've also dreamed of appearing on variety shows like tvN's 'Amazing Saturday' with our members."

Their ultimate goal? A rookie award and a lasting legacy.

"We want people to think of izna when they think of K-pop," Jeong said. "We want to create something timeless."