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Japan's JO1 is a boy band known for their hooky, dance, hip-hop, and R&B-influenced pop. They debuted after winning the reality competition show Produce 101 in 2019, hitting number two on the Oricon Albums chart with 2020's The Star. They topped the chart with both 2022's Kizuna and 2023's Equinox, and have scored over six straight number one singles in Japan, including "Protostar," "Stargazer," "Challenger," "Midnight Sun," and "Tropical Night." In 2024 they again reached number one with the single "Hitchhiker."

JO1 were formed in 2019 in Chiba, Japan after winning the reality competition show Produce 101 Japan. Out of the 101 singer/dancers who made it onto the show, the eleven members of JO1 were chosen via online voting. Making the cut were members Issei Mamehara, Ren Kawashiri, Takumi Kawanishi, Shosei Ohira, Shion Tsurubo, Ruki Shiroiwa, Keigo Sato, Syoya Kimata, Junki Kono, Sukai Kinjo, and Sho Yonashiro. Following their win, they made their official debut with 2020's "Protostar," which topped the Oricon Singles Chart. A second single, "Stargazer," followed, with both singles paving the way for their debut full-length album, The Star, which reached number two in Japan. Accolades came their way and they took home the Rising Star Award from the MTV Video Music Awards Japan, as well as the Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Asian Artist.

In 2021, JO1 scored more number one singles with "Challenger," "Stranger," and "Wandering" all making a showing on top of the Japan singles chart. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group's live performances had been curtailed, and in November 2021 they made their first live concert performance with the JO1 Live Open the Door concert at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City. All of this led up to the release of their sophomore album, Kizuna, which arrived in May 2022 and bested the group's debut, hitting the top spot on the Oricon Albums Chart.

The group's sixth consecutive number one single, "Midnight Sun," arrived in October 2022. Released as an EP, it was accompanied by the single "SuperCali," which also hit number one, spending two weeks in the Top Ten of the Japan Hot 100. They finished the year ranked in the Top 25 most popular bands by Billboard Japan and performed on the NHK's New Year's Eve show Kōhaku Uta Gassen. In April 2023, they again hit number one on the Oricon singles chart with both "Tropical Night" and "Tiger." That September, they released their third full-length album, Equinox, which returned them to the top of the Oricon Albums Chart. Also included on the album was the spotlight track "NEWSmile."

They embarked on their second arena tour and followed with a string of non-album singles, including "Eyes on Me" (featuring R3hab), "Hideout," and "Your Key, the latter of which worked as the opening theme of the anime show Four Knights of the Apocalypse. In 2024, they released their eighth consecutive number one single, "Hitchhiker." It also worked as the first song released of JO1's fourth studio album, 2024's Where Do We Go. ~ Matt Collar