Me:I (Japanese: ミーアイ, Hepburn: Mīai, stylized in all caps) is a Japanese girl group formed through the reality competition show Produce 101 Japan The Girls. The group is composed of eleven members: Momona Kasahara, Rinon Murakami, Ayane Takami, Miu Sakurai, Suzu Yamamoto, Kokona Sasaki, Shizuku Iida, Keiko Shimizu, Ran Ishii, Tsuzumi Ebihara, and Cocoro Kato. Like the previous winners of Produce 101 Japan, Me:I is intended to be a permanent group.[3] Debuted with the single Mirai on April 17, 2024, the group is managed by Lapone Girls, a subsidiary of Lapone Entertainment.[4]

Me:I
Me:I's official logo
Me:I's official logo
Background information
OriginAichi, Japan[1]
Genres
Years active2023 (2023)–present
LabelsLapone Girls
Members
  • Tsuzumi Ebihara
  • Shizuku Iida
  • Ran Ishii
  • Momona Kasahara
  • Cocoro Kato
  • Rinon Murakami
  • Miu Sakurai
  • Kokona Sasaki
  • Keiko Shimizu
  • Ayane Takami
  • Suzu Yamamoto
Websiteme-i.jp

Name

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The group's name, "Me:I", means "an idol who is loved by everyone, an idol of the future, moving forward together towards the future". When spoken, it sounds like the Japanese word 未来 (mirai, "future"). The name was revealed in the final episode of Produce 101 Japan The Girls.[5]

History

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2023: Formation through Produce 101 Japan The Girls

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Me:I was formed through the reality competition show Produce 101 Japan The Girls, which was aired primarily on the streaming service Lemino from October 5 to December 16, 2023.[6][7] A total of 14,000 participants auditioned for the show, ranging in age from 15 to 25 and not affiliated with any talent agency.[7][8] The final 11 trainees were picked by viewers from the original 101 trainees through online voting and announced during a live television broadcast on TBS.[1][6] Like the previous winners of Produce 101 Japan, there was no intention of restricting the group's activity after its debut.[3]

Several members of Me:I had experience in the entertainment industry before the show. Momona Kasahara was a member of the Hello! Project girl group Angerme from 2016 to 2021.[6][9] Ran Ishii was a member of the girl group Girls² and appeared in the Japanese drama Secret × Heroine Phantomirage!.[10][11] Cocoro Kato was a member of the South Korean girl group Cherry Bullet under FNC Entertainment.[6][10] Miu Sakurai was a contestant on Nizi Project and Girls Planet 999,[10] while Suzu Yamamoto spent six months as a trainee at a South Korean agency.[12]

2024–present: Debut with Mirai

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Me:I gave their first performance as a group ahead of debut at the 38th Tokyo Girls Collection 2024 Spring/Summer on March 2, 2024.[13] On April 14, the group concluded their first fan concert, 2024 Me:I Launching Show Me:Iconic, which was held in two cities and attracted approximately 65,000 people.[14] Me:I officially debuted with the single Mirai on April 17,[15] topping the Oricon Singles Chart with over 232,000 copies sold.[16] Its lead track, "Click", peaked at second place on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.[17] On July 1, Lapone announced that Ebihara would be temporarily absent from the group's activities due to "poor health".[18] Me:I released their second single Hi-Five on August 28, 2024;[19] the title track topped the Japan Hot 100.[20] On November 25, Me:I released the Japanese version of "Beyond" (End Credit Version) from Moana 2 on digital platforms.[21]

Members

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  • Tsuzumi Ebihara (海老原 鼓, Ebihara Tsuzumi)
  • Shizuku Iida (飯田 栞月, Iida Shizuku)
  • Ran Ishii (石井 蘭, Ishii Ran) – sub-leader[22]
  • Momona Kasahara (笠原 桃奈, Kasahara Momona) – leader[22]
  • Cocoro Kato (加藤 心, Katō Kokoro)
  • Rinon Murakami (村上 璃杏, Murakami Rinon)
  • Miu Sakurai (櫻井 美羽, Sakurai Miu)
  • Kokona Sasaki (佐々木 心菜, Sasaki Kokona)
  • Keiko Shimizu (清水 恵子, Shimizu Keiko)
  • Ayane Takami (高見 文寧, Takami Ayane)
  • Suzu Yamamoto (山本 すず, Yamamoto Suzu)

Discography

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Singles

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and sales, showing year released, certification and album name
Title[A] Year Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Album
JPN
[23]
JPN
Comb.

[24]
Mirai 2024 1 1
  • RIAJ: Platinum (phy.)[26]
Non-album singles
Hi-Five[19] 2 2
  • RIAJ: Platinum (phy.)[28]

Promotional singles

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List of promotional singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
JPN
Comb.

[24]
JPN
Hot

[29]
"Click" 2024 1 2 Mirai (single)
"Sugar Bomb" 79
"Hi-Five"[19] 2 1 Hi-Five (single)
"Tomorrow" 92 Sweetie (single)

Music videos

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List of music videos, showing year released, and name of the director(s)
Title Year Director(s) Ref.
"Click" 2024 Woogie Kim (Mother Media) [33]
"Hi-Five" Naive Creative Production [34]

Filmography

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List of television programs, with broadcast year, role and note
Year Title Role Note Ref.
English Original
2024 Me:I no Yume Mitai! ME:Iの夢みたい! Themselves Variety series [35]
About Me:I ABOUT ME:I Themselves Special [36]

Awards and nominations

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Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Japan Record Award 2024 Newcomer Award Me:I Won [37]
Korea Grand Music Awards 2024 K-pop Global Rookie Award Won [38]
MAMA Awards 2024 Favorite New Asian Artist Won [39]

Notes

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  1. ^ A maxi single release that has a different title from any songs in it will be considered as a "EP single" with its title being italicized. Its respective lead track is categorized under promotional single.

References

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  1. ^ a b "「PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS」デビューメンバー11人が決定". Natalie (in Japanese). December 16, 2023. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  2. ^ "From J-pop to K-pop and back to J-pop once more". Korea JoongAng Daily. August 26, 2001. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "韓国の人気オーディション番組 吉本と組んで日本上陸". Nikkei Style (in Japanese). September 22, 2019. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "JO1&INI所属事務所の新法人「株式会社LAPONE GIRLS」がME:Iと専属契約、設立の目的は". Natalie (in Japanese). February 15, 2024. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  5. ^ "【日プガールズ】『日プ』発ガールズグループ名が「ME:I(ミーアイ)」に決定". Oricon (in Japanese). December 16, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d "NewJeans候補生や元ハロメン参加「日プガールズ」予告が公開、クラス分けテスト課題曲も一部明らかに". Natalie (in Japanese). September 27, 2023. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "「日プガールズ」練習生が集結!見どころは「経験者多数でハイレベル」フリーダムな仲宗根梨乃も健在". Natalie (in Japanese). September 26, 2023. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "「PRODUCE 101 JAPAN」シーズン3の詳細明らかに、8月~12月に合宿&収録を実施". Natalie (in Japanese). April 24, 2023. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "卒業アンジュルム笠原桃奈「この先どう生きようと大好き」感謝の手紙全文". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). November 15, 2021. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Jung Joo-young (September 4, 2023). 元Cherry Bullet ココロから「虹プロ」「ガルプラ」出演者も!「PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS」の練習生が話題 [From former Cherry Bullet member Cocoro to "Niji Project" and "Girls Planet" participants! "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS" trainees are a hot topic]. Kstyle (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  11. ^ "『プリ☆チャン』『ファントミラージュ!』がコラボ 7・28放送". Oricon (in Japanese). June 13, 2019. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  12. ^ "「日プガールズ」山本すず、"半年で契約切れ"韓国での練習生時代明らかに". Modelpress (in Japanese). November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "【TGC2024S/S】デビュー控えるME:I、初パフォーマンス 個性生かしたハイクオリティで魅了【セットリストあり】". Oricon (in Japanese). March 2, 2024. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  14. ^ "ME:I、結成からデビューまでの苦労思い出し涙止まらず TSUZUMI「おばあちゃんになるまで一緒」<2024 ME:I LAUNCHING SHOW ME:ICONICファイナル>". Modelpress (in Japanese). April 14, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  15. ^ "ME:Iデビューシングルは「MIRAI」、カップリングに「&ME」「CHOPPY CHOPPY」". Natalie (in Japanese). February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  16. ^ オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2024年04月15日~2024年04月21日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking April 15, 2024 – April 21, 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  17. ^ "Hot 100 April 29, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). April 24, 2024. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024.
  18. ^ "ME:IのTSUZUMI、体調不良のため少しだけ活動休止". Natalie (in Japanese). July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c "ME:Iと過ごす夏は最高にHOT、最新アーティスト写真&ジャケ写が到着". Natalie (in Japanese). July 1, 2024. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  20. ^ "September 4, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). September 4, 2024. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  21. ^ "ME:Iがディズニー映画「モアナと伝説の海2」日本版エンドソング担当、世界で唯一のグループ歌唱". Natalie (in Japanese). November 21, 2024. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "ME:I、リーダー&サブリーダー発表". Modelpress [ja] (in Japanese). February 27, 2024. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  23. ^ "ME:Iのメンバー、プロフィール" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 22, 2023. Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  24. ^ a b ME:Iの合算シングル売上TOP1作品 [Me:I's Top 1 Combined Single Sales] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  25. ^ Physical sales of Mirai as of November 2024:
  26. ^ "Japanese single certifications – Me:i – Mirai" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved May 10, 2024. Select 2024年4月 on the drop-down menu
  27. ^ Physical sales of Hi-Five as of November 2024:
  28. ^ "Japanese single certifications – Me:i – Hi-Five" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 10, 2024. Select 2024年8月 on the drop-down menu
  29. ^ Peaks on the Billboard Japan Hot 100:
  30. ^ Total digital sales of "Click":
  31. ^ Total digital sales of "Hi-Five":
  32. ^ "週間 デジタルシングル(単曲)ランキング 2024年12月02日付". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  33. ^ @mother.media (April 1, 2024). "Congratulations to ME:I on their debut!". Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via Instagram.
  34. ^ @crois.sance (July 30, 2024). "ME:I (ミーアイ) ⊹ 'Hi-Five' Official MV". Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024 – via Instagram.
  35. ^ "ME:I初の冠番組「ME:Iの夢みたい!」無料配信、1人ひとりのデビュー公約を実行". Natalie (in Japanese). February 27, 2024. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  36. ^ "ME:I初の冠番組「ME:Iの夢みたい!」無料配信、1人ひとりのデビュー公約を実行". PR Times (in Japanese). March 14, 2024. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  37. ^ "『レコ大』各賞発表 大賞候補にJO1、NewJeans、新しい学校のリーダーズ、Adoら10組 YOASOBIは特別国際音楽賞". Oricon (in Japanese). November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  38. ^ Jang, Ju-yeon (November 18, 2024). "JO1-ME:I, 2024 KGMA 수상 영예...문화 경계 허무는 글로벌 아이돌". Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  39. ^ Shim, Seon-ah (November 22, 2024). "(LEAD) BTS' Jimin wins main category at 2024 MAMA Awards". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved November 22, 2024 – via Naver.
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