Jo Kyungmin is one of the trainees who competed in Mnet's "I-LAND," the boy group survival show that formed ENHYPEN. Unfortunately, he didn't make it to the final episode, but he was chosen to debut under HYBE Labels Japan. But he ultimately left the agency.
Wanna know where former "I-LAND" contestant Kyungmin is now? Keep on reading!
About Former "I-LAND" Contestant Kyungmin
On June 2, 2020, Kyungmin was introduced as a contestant in "I-LAND," a survival show jointly produced by CJ ENM and Big Hit Entertainment (now called HYBE). Before participating in the program, he trained for one year and 11 months under Big Hit.
During his time in the program, he earned himself lots of fans, and his fandom is called Kyungminice (which the fans themselves created).
Jo Kyungmin's Journey on Mnet's "I-LAND"
On "I-LAND," Jo Kyungmin is one of the four contestants aged 15, having been born on Oct. 28, 2004. This makes him among the youngest trainees taking part in the show.
In Episode 1 of "I-LAND," he performed VIXX's "Chained Up," together with Jaeho and Geonu. But he was unfortunately sent to the Ground, hence, he was unable to enter I-LAND.
In Episode 4, he managed to enter I-LAND following the "Ground" team's performance of BTS' "Fire." However, he returned to the Ground as a total of 11 people voted him back.
ALSO READ: Where Is Former 'I-LAND' Contestant Echan Now? Here's What We Know
In Episode 7, Kyungmin was eventually eliminated from the survival show. Therefore, he was unable to participate in Part 2.
Three months after "I-LAND" ended (September 2020), HYBE Labels Japan announced that Kyungmin will debut in Japan as a member of its upcoming boy group (along with the other eliminated "I-LAND" contestants EJ, Nicholas, Taki, and K).
But on May 31, the company released a notice, announcing Kyungmin's departure from the group and the agency. HYBE Labels Japan explained that they have determined certain differences in the directions being sought between him and the label.
Where Is Former "I-LAND" Contestant Kyungmin Now? Trainee's Status After Leaving HYBE Labels Japan
On the same day as HYBE Labels Japan announced Kyungmin's departure from the company, the former "I-LAND" contestant opened his Instagram account. However, his account is currently set to private and he seemed to have deleted or archived all of his posts just recently.
There has been no announcement about him debuting to date, but it is said that Jo Kyungmin is currently a trainee under MNH Entertainment (the management agency of female soloist Kim Chungha).
READ MORE: Where Is Former 'I-LAND' Contestant Daniel Now? Here's His Current Whereabouts
MNH Entertainment has a pre-debut boy group called BOM (an acronym for Boys of MNH). The company launched an Instagram account for them on March 4 this year. The pre-debut team also has a TikTok account and the trainees often upload videos of them dancing to various songs.
Fans who saw the TikTok videos are certain that former "I-LAND" contestant Kyungmin is one of those trainees under MNH Entertainment. The latest TikTok video of BOM features a total of 12 boys. It is uncertain whether all of them will debut, but it is said that the boys are said to debut in 2023.
BOM also created a YouTube channel called "Boys of MNH." Subscribe here to be updated on their latest videos.
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Written by Maria Scott
