Nearly three years after their disbandment, can K-pop boy band Wanna One make a reunion a reality?
Fans in South Korea and other countries felt excited when it was announced that Wanna One members are discussing a possible reunion.
Wanna One was a product of the survival reality TV show “Produce 101” season 2. They debuted in August 2017 with 11 members: Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon, Hwang Min-hyun, Ong Seong-wu, Yoon Ji-sung, Ha Sung-woon, Kim Jae-hwan, Park Woo-jin, Bae Jin-young, Lee Dae-hwi and Lai Kuan-lin.
Company CJ ENM, which owns Mnet channel which broadcast “Produce 101,” said it was in discussion with Wanna One members.
"We are positively discussing various plans such as the 2021 MAMA , concerts and albums with all Wanna One members," it said.
Wanna One gained global popularity during the one and a half years of existence. They went to the Philippines and held the “Wanna Be Loved” fan meeting on Oct. 13, 2017 at Araneta Coliseum.
In addition, they held their “One: The World” concert tour in different countries including the Philippines where the event was held in September 2018.
They disbanded in December 2018 when their contracts expired and had their last concert in January 2019. Some of the members went back to their original groups while others debuted in new boy bands or went solo.
Regarding the reunion, Kang Daniel, during a press conference for his album, said, "I'm also open to it. Wanna One is a very precious memory for me as well. Looking back, there were some aspects of myself that were lacking in skill, but it's a precious and good memory, so I'm thinking positively if there is an opportunity."
Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon, Kim Jae-hwan, Yoon Ji-sung and Ha Sung-woon have solo careers as singers. Lee Dae-hwi and Park Woo-jin are members of boy band AB6IX.
Hwang Min-hyun is a member of boy band NU’EST and Bae Jin-young is in CIX. Ong Seong-wu is an actor while Lai Kuan-lin is active in China.
A Wanna One reunion is a daunting task given that the members have their own careers and they need to adjust their schedules to accommodate activities of Wanna One.