What Happened to I-LAND?
I-LAND was a South Korean reality competition series that aired in 2020, leading to the formation of the globally successful K-pop boy group ENHYPEN. While ENHYPEN continues to thrive as a six-member group following Heeseung's departure in March 2026, the show's legacy also includes numerous eliminated trainees debuting in other prominent K-pop groups and a separate, Mnet-produced 'I-LAND 2' airing in 2024.
Quick Answer
I-LAND was a 2020 South Korean survival show that created the K-pop group ENHYPEN. ENHYPEN debuted with seven members and has since achieved global success with multiple Billboard 200 Top 10 albums and world tours. As of March 2026, Heeseung departed from ENHYPEN to pursue a solo career, making them a six-member group. Separately, Mnet launched its own 'I-LAND 2' in 2024, without HYBE's involvement, to form a new girl group.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
BELIFT LAB Joint Venture Announced
CJ ENM and Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE Corporation) officially launched BELIFT LAB, a joint venture aimed at developing idol groups for the global market.
I-LAND Premieres
The reality competition series I-LAND, produced by Mnet and BELIFT LAB, began airing, featuring 23 male trainees competing for a spot in a new boy group.
ENHYPEN Formed in I-LAND Finale
The I-LAND finale announced the seven members of the debut group ENHYPEN: Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Ni-Ki, Heeseung, Sunghoon, and Sunoo.
ENHYPEN Debuts
ENHYPEN officially debuted with their first extended play (EP) 'Border: Day One', marking the beginning of their career under BELIFT LAB.
HYBE Labels Japan Announces Debut Project for I-LAND Trainees
HYBE Labels Japan announced a global debut project for I-LAND eliminated trainees K, Nicholas, EJ, Kyungmin, and Taki, with plans for a new Japanese group.
Hanbin Leaves BELIFT LAB and Joins Yuehua Entertainment
I-LAND contestant Hanbin departed from BELIFT LAB and signed an exclusive contract with Yuehua Entertainment, later debuting with TEMPEST.
Geonu and Jimin (Siwoo) Debut with JUST B
I-LAND contestants Lee Geonu and Chu Jimin (Siwoo) debuted as members of the boy group JUST B under Bluedot Entertainment.
&TEAM Debuts
I-LAND contestants K, Nicholas, EJ, and Taki, along with new members, debuted as the boy group &TEAM under HYBE Labels Japan.
HYBE Launches 'R U Next?' Forming ILLIT
Instead of the postponed I-LAND 2, HYBE partnered with JTBC to produce 'R U Next?', a survival show that formed the girl group ILLIT, who debuted under BELIFT LAB in 2024.
Mnet Announces Independent 'I-LAND 2'
Mnet officially confirmed plans to air its own 'I-LAND 2' in the first half of 2024 for a new girl group, explicitly stating no involvement from HYBE.
Mnet's 'I-LAND 2' Airs and Forms New Girl Group
Mnet's independently produced 'I-LAND 2' aired, introducing talented female trainees and forming a final lineup that debuted under WakeOne.
ENHYPEN Launches 'WALK THE LINE' World Tour
ENHYPEN commenced their 'WALK THE LINE' world tour in Goyang, South Korea, which included their first-ever dome tour in Japan.
ENHYPEN Performs at Coachella
ENHYPEN made their historic debut at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, becoming one of the fastest K-pop boy groups to perform at the event.
ENHYPEN Releases 'THE SIN : VANISH'
ENHYPEN released their album 'THE SIN : VANISH', which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, showcasing their continued musical output.
Heeseung Departs from ENHYPEN
Heeseung announced his departure from ENHYPEN to pursue a solo career, a decision made after in-depth discussions with BELIFT LAB and the members. ENHYPEN continues as a six-member group.
JUST B Enters Japanese Market
Boy group JUST B, featuring former I-LAND contestants Geonu and Jimin, is set to officially enter the Japanese music market.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
I-LAND was a groundbreaking South Korean reality competition series that premiered on Mnet in June 2020, a joint venture between CJ ENM and HYBE Corporation (then Big Hit Entertainment). The show aimed to discover and debut a new global K-pop boy group. Over 12 episodes, 23 male trainees competed through various challenges, with the final seven members selected by global fan votes and producer choice. The show culminated on September 18, 2020, with the formation of ENHYPEN, consisting of Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Ni-Ki, Heeseung, Sunghoon, and Sunoo.
The success of I-LAND was largely due to its innovative format, high production quality, and the backing of HYBE, which brought significant global attention to the trainees. The show served as a crucial launchpad for ENHYPEN, who officially debuted on November 30, 2020, with their extended play 'Border: Day One' and quickly rose to international fame.
Following I-LAND, many eliminated contestants also found success in the K-pop industry. Notable examples include K, Nicholas, EJ, and Taki, who debuted in the Japanese boy group &TEAM under HYBE Labels Japan in December 2022. Other trainees like Geonu and Jimin (Siwoo) debuted with JUST B in June 2021, while Hanbin joined TEMPEST in March 2022. This demonstrated the show's impact beyond just the winning group, providing a platform for many aspiring idols.
The concept of a second season, 'I-LAND 2,' for female trainees, was initially planned by BELIFT LAB (the agency managing ENHYPEN) and HYBE for 2022 but was postponed. Instead, HYBE partnered with JTBC in 2023 to produce 'R U Next?', which led to the debut of the girl group ILLIT under BELIFT LAB in 2024. Concurrently, Mnet, without HYBE's involvement, announced its own 'I-LAND 2' in July 2023, which aired in the first half of 2024 and formed a new girl group under WakeOne.
As of August 12, 2026, ENHYPEN remains a prominent force in K-pop. The group has continued to release chart-topping albums, including 'ROMANCE : UNTOLD' (2024), 'DESIRE : UNLEASH' (2025), and 'THE SIN : VANISH' (2026), all reaching the top 3 on the Billboard 200. They embarked on extensive world tours, including 'WALK THE LINE' in 2024-2025, and made a historic debut at Coachella in April 2025. A significant development occurred in March 2026 when Heeseung departed from ENHYPEN to pursue a solo career, with BELIFT LAB stating it was the most fulfilling approach for both him and the group. ENHYPEN now promotes as a six-member group, while BELIFT LAB continues to expand its roster, actively seeking new talent through initiatives like the '2025 Next New Creator' auditions.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if I-LAND made different choices?