Project girl group I.O.I reached for the sky for the final time with the latest single “Downpour” topping local music charts after its release Wednesday.

“Downpour,” the last single for the rookie sensation, stood firmly at No. 1 on Mnet and Genie chart. It slipped to No. 3 on Melon after debuting at the top spot upon its midnight release.

The song’s lyrics depict the sadness of leaving someone, likening it to an abrupt downpour. The 11-member band reportedly decided on their last song through a popular vote.

I.O.I was assembled via 2016 reality show “Produce 101” on Mnet, which picked the 11 singers out of 101 trainees hailing from 46 entertainment agencies. It was set to be a project group with a limited life span, as the bandmates had different agency affiliations.

The group will hold its last concerts from Friday to Sunday in Seoul before returning to their respective agencies in February.

The short-lived I.O.I collected various accolades, namely best new artist awards at the Mnet Asian Music Awards and the Golden Disc Awards.

Right on I.O.I’s heels on the Genie and Mnet chart was Suzy of Miss A, whose solo debut “Pretending to be Happy” notched the No. 2 spot on both charts. It edged out I.O.I’s single on Melon to grab the No. 2 spot, just behind steady performer “I Will Go to You Like the First Snow” by Ailee.

Suzy’s solo debut outperformed rival group Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun, whose “Don’t Say No” was at No. 10 on Mnet, No. 42 on Genie and No. 75 on Melon.

Rain’s recent announcement of his impending nuptials with actress Kim Tae-hee appears to have rejuvenated the public’s interest in the singer, his “Best Present” ranked fourth on the Mnet chart Wednesday.


By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)