Kim Do Yeon and Choi Yoo Jung are two of the 11 former members of the disbanded K-Pop group IOI, which was formed by CJ E&M through the Mnet reality show 'Produce 101' in 2016. (Photo : YouTube/Abiz-Entertainment Buzz)
I.O.I members Choi Yoo Jung and Kim Do Yeon will be leaving South Korea to study in the United States. The two artists, who are currently trainees under Fantagio, will be studying music and English during their trip abroad.
Fantagio confirmed the news in a statement obtained by All Kpop. In its statement, the agency noted that the U.S. visit will not only serve as a learning experience for Choi and Kim but also a trip for relaxation and recuperation.
"We thought that Choi Yoo Jung and Kim Do Yeon, who promoted tireless as members of IOI last year, needed both a time to recharge, as well as time to wide their perspectives," Fantagio told the publictation. "They will hone in new musical skills while preparing for new challenges, by meeting up with different overseas artists and resting in the U.S."
Choi and Kim will be flying out on Feb. 14, Tuesday, and will stay in the U.S. for a duration of two weeks before returning to Korea to fulfill their domestic commitments. During their excursion, they will be undertaking vocal training and dance training sessions and meet American music producers like Lauren Giraldo, Francis, Pitbull, B.O.B, Mac Miller and Jose Iopez among others, as pointed out by Koreaboo.
Both idols will be making several trips to America in the future as part of Fantagio's debut plans of its girl group, "Fantagio Girls." The agency revealed that if everything goes according to plan, "Fantagio Girls" will debut as early as this Summer.
Choi and Kim were both part of the 11-member girl group, "I.O.I." before joining Fantagio. "I.O.I," which was formed through the show, "Produce 101," disbanded as a group in 2016 and said goodbye with the release of their final track, titled "Downpour" in January. For more details on the story, watch the video below:
