Former members of the Korean band Iz*One include Nako and Wonyung. In South Korea, the Stone Music subsidiary “Off the Record” and Swing Entertainment as a sub-agency managed the group. AKS managed the group in Japan.
They released two studio albums, one in Korean and one in Japanese, and seven extended plays throughout the group’s active years. Soon after a few years, they quit their band, Iz*One, and pursued other interests and jobs.
Both Nako and Wonyung are Korean sweethearts; Nako is the smallest and lightest of the group, while Wonyoung is the tallest and has the broadest build.
While Nako hopes to become an actress in the near future, Wonyoung has also acted as the model for Suecomma Bonnie, a South Korean shoe company owned by Kolon Industries.
Keep reading to know more about Nako and Wonyoung’s music journey, their height differences, as well as their history with Iz*One.
Korean Pop Culture
The term “Korean Wave” (Hallyu) describes the global appeal of South Korea’s exports of popular culture, entertainment, music, TV dramas, and motion pictures.
During his state visit to Korea in March 2012, former president Barack Obama made mention of the Korean Wave, which the government had declared to be its top goal.
In the 2000s, “K-pop” gained popularity, particularly on a global scale.
Along with its roots in traditional Korean music, global music styles and genres such as pop, reggae, electronic dance, folk, country, hip-hop, R&B, rock, jazz, gospel, disco, and classical are incorporated into it.
Through their involvement in numerous international events, where Korean singers perform, as well as general event participation, Korean pop is expanding rather quickly abroad.
Meanwhile, Exo is undoubtedly one of the top two or three K-Pop successes at the moment. The band was a natural choice for the Olympics because they were founded with the goal of playing in Mandarin, Japanese, and South Korean in addition to their other languages.
PSY Gangnam Style
Psy’s “Gangnam Style” is seen by many Westerners as humorous relief with a catchy chorus and hip dance. However, “Gangnam Style” was the first song to officially launch K-pop outside of Korea.
Many Koreans were truly surprised by this development because they had assumed Psy’s future success would be minimal at best (mostly for flimsy justifications).
Psy, though, had become well-known in the US. Psy’s “underdog” success story and his unusual, easygoing personality could appeal to many Americans.
What Is Iz*One?
The South Korean-Japanese girl group IZ*ONE () () was created by MNET’s Produce48, the third season of Produce 101.
On October 29, 2018, IzOne released their first extended play (EP), ColorIz, marking their formal debut.
When the EP was first released, it was a commercial success, selling over 225,000 units and reaching its highest point at number two on the South Korean Gaon Album Chart. Moreover, the EP and its lead song “La Vie en Rose” also appeared on the Billboard World Albums and World Digital Songs charts.
Due to their early success, they were later named New Artist of the Year at various award shows, including the Seoul Music Awards and Golden Disc Awards.
The members of Iz*One consist of:
- Jang Wonyoung
- Miyawaki Sakura
- Jo Yuri
- Choi Yena
- Ahn Yujin
- Yabuki Nako
- Kwon Eunbi
- Kang Hyewon
- Honda Hitomi
- Kim Chaewon
- Kim Minjoo
- Lee Chaeyeon
Disbandment Of Iz*One
On April 21, 2021, IzOne’s official fandom, WizOne, launched a project named Parallel Universe in an effort to stop the group’s impending breakup.
It was decided to call the band “Parallel Universe” in honor of a song with the same name that was made public during the One, the Story concert. The project reached its financial goal of 1,000,000,000 (about $900,000 US), yet Iz*One was dissolved on April 29, 2021, as scheduled.
Iz*One member agencies were in discussion to possibly relaunch the group on June 19, according to CJ ENM.
The group’s reunion was ultimately postponed after negotiations ultimately failed in July.
Who Is Jang Won-Young?
Singer and model Jang Won-young, also referred to simply as Wonyoung, hails from South Korea. She is a part of the Starship Entertainment group “Ive” and was formerly a member of the project girl group Iz*On.
She was born in Seoul, South Korea, on August 31, 2004. Her mother, father, and older sister make up her family.
Her father teaches music. She speaks English really well as she attended an English-speaking kindergarten and subsequently earned outstanding ratings as well.
On the way to a ceremony at her sister’s school, Wonyoung was approached by a member of the Starship Entertainment staff; she spent a year and two months working out.
Following the official announcement of the girl group on November 2, 2021, a Naver story was posted indicating that Wonyoung will be making her comeback in IVE. The single album “Eleven” from the group’s debut took place on December 1, 2021, and marked the occasion.
Who Is Nako Yabuki?
Yabuki Nako is a previous member of the South Korean-Japanese girl group IZ*ONE under Off The Record Entertainment. She is a current member of the Japanese-South Korean girl group HKT48 Team H under EMI Records.
She was raised by her mother, her younger sister, and her older sister. She was born in Tokyo, Japan.
She is the shortest K-pop idol to have ever made a debut (child groups excluded). She enjoys playing card games, particularly daifugou, and enjoys karaoke and viewing films as pastimes.
Young Minami Asakura, played by Yabuki, had her acting debut in the 2005 coming-of-age movie Touch. She made appearances in JCB and Dainichi (ja) ads two years later.
She announced her departure from the group with a graduation concert on October 16, 2022, during HKT48’s 11th-anniversary concert.
Some Photos That Show Nako And Wonyoung’s Height Differences
WonYoung, the maknae of IZ*ONE, is renowned for being the tallest member of the group despite her youth. Kpopmap has already covered both her extraordinary beauty and stunning body.
Fans saw a nice interaction between WonYoung and member Nako when IZ*ONE held their fan sign in the past.
Fans could not help but smile when they saw Nako, the group’s shortest member, standing next to WonYoung.
Fans are gushing over how lovely the size difference is between Nako and WonYoung, whose shoulders Nako’s small height touches.
Let’s look at some common physical information about Nako and Wonyoung to better understand their height differences, as well as other physical-feature differences.
| Differences | Nako | Wonyoung |
| Birthday | June 18, 2001 | August 31, 2004 |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini | Virgo |
| Weight | 40 kg | 47 kg |
| Height | 150 cm (4’9″) | 173 cm (5’8″) |
| Born (Country) | Tokyo, Japan | Seoul, South Korea |
Let’s look at some of the pictures that clearly show the height difference between Nako and Wonyoung.
Other Members Of Iz*One
Kim Chae Won
South Korean singer-songwriter Kim Chaewon is now signed to Source Music. She was a former member of the project girl group IZ*ONE and is currently the leader of the female group LE SSERAFIM.
On May 11, 2018, it was announced that Chaewon would be a competitor on Produce 48 and represent Woollim Entertainment. She finished the competition in tenth place overall, joining IZ*ONE in the process.
As Chaewon still desired to make her acting debut in a new group, she was given the opportunity to move agencies.
The official announcement that Chaewon had joined Source Music and would make her debut in their future girl group came on March 14, 2022.
Sakura Miyawaki
A former member of the Japanese idol girl group HKT48, Miyawaki Sakura is a singer from Japan.
She is presently a part of Source Music’s LE SSERAFIM. She was formerly a member of IZ*ONE and competed in Produce 48, placing second overall and joining the project group.
She was formerly a member of AKB48‘s Team A as well as the co-captain of HKT48’s Team KIV.
Sakura announced her departure from the group and her graduation concert, which took place on June 19, 2021, at an HKT48 live stream on May 15, 2021.
Conclusion
- A South Korean-Japanese girl group called IZ*ONE was created by Produce48 on MNET, which was the third season of Produce 101. Korean trainees from other labels joined Japanese trainees from AKB48 and their sister groups in Produce48.
- The group’s members were Lee Chaeyeon, Jang Wonyoung, Miyawaki Sakura, Jo Yuri, Choi Yena, Ahn Yujin, Yabuki Nako, Kwon Eunbi, Kang Hyewon, and Honda Hitomi.
- “Jang Won Young” is a former member of IZ*ONE who is now the center and Maknae. She is an employee of Starship Entertainment’s IVE and joined the group as its focal point after competing in Produce 48 and taking first place in the standings.
- Since her official Japanese debut on November 11, 2013, Yabuki Nako has been a part of HKT48’s Team H. After April 1, her contract with HKT48’s management business Vernalassom will expire. She intends to change careers and pursue acting later this year.
- Wonyoung and Nako have diverse physical characteristics and personalities. While Wonyoung is the taller one, with broad shoulders and a typically Korean appearance, Nako is relatively the shorter one with a light-slim frame and a Japanese appearance.