She said, “Mom, come get me, this is weird!”
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On May 18, 2026 (KST), I.O.I members Chungha, Yoo Yeonjung, Choi Yoojung, and Jeon Somi appeared together on the YouTube show “Zzanbro” with Shin Dong Yup for a reunion special. During the episode, the members reflected on their time on Mnet’s survival program Produce 101, which formed their project girl group.
| @ioi_10th/X
For Jeon Somi, however, her first reaction to the show was not exactly positive. She revealed that before the program began, rumors circulated about an audition show featuring 101 trainees from different agencies—and Somi thought the concept sounded like a disaster.
At the time, there were rumors going around that there would be an audition program with 101 trainees from different companies.
Back then, I said, ‘Wow, who would go on that? Trainees are supposed to promote as one team, but if they’re all from different agencies, it’s going to flop.’ I wondered what would happen, but in the end, I ended up going on it!
— Jeon Somi
The show, of course, became a massive success and ultimately paved the way for Somi’s debut as the center of I.O.I. Still, Somi admitted that the beginning was overwhelming. She recalled entering the first recording as the final trainee while the other 100 contestants were already seated on the show’s now-famous triangle-shaped set.
I was the very last one to come out. I really missed my mom. I thought, ‘Mom, I think this place is weird.’ Since I was last, that meant 100 people had been waiting for me. Having 100 people look at me was so overwhelming.
— Jeon Somi
Yoo Yeonjung pointed out that Somi’s reputation at the time likely made the attention even more intense. Before appearing on Produce 101, Somi was already known as a JYP Entertainment trainee who had competed on SIXTEEN, the survival show that created TWICE. Somi agreed, admitting that because she entered the show with some public recognition, she felt the other contestants viewed her differently.
Because I entered the competition when people already knew who I was, I did get on people’s bad side a bit.
— Jeon Somi
Despite her initial doubts, Produce 101 became the turning point in Somi’s career, leading to her debut with I.O.I and, eventually, her solo career!
Watch the full episode here: