TO1[1] (Korean: 티오원; formerly known as TOO[a]) (stylized in all caps) was a South Korean boy band formed by Mnet's 2019 reality show To Be World Klass.[2] The group debuted on April 1, 2020, with their first mini albumReason For Being: Benevolence with "Magnolia" serving as the title track.
History
2020: Debut and Road to Kingdom
On March 20, it was announced that the group will join Mnet's reality television competition Road to Kingdom.[3] They were the second group eliminated in the seventh episode.
The group debuted with their first mini albumReason For Being: Benevolence on April 1, with the title track "Magnolia".[4]
On July 15, the group released their second mini album Running TOOgether, with the title track "Count 1, 2."[5]
On August 13, at the 2020 Soribada Awards, TOO won the "New Artist Award", their first rookie award since debut.[6]
2021: Reformation, Re:Born, and Re:Alize
On January 13, CJ ENM and n.CH Entertainment were involved in management disputes, where CJ ENM reportedly terminated their management contract with n.CH Entertainment.[7] One day later, n.CH Entertainment responded to the disputes by stating that their contract was not formally signed for months, and that no expenses were paid since August 2020.[8]
It was announced on March 28 that the group had changed its name from TOO to TO1.[9][1]
TO1 made their re-debut with their first EP Re:Born on May 20, with the title track "Son of Beast".[10][11] The group will be managed under CJ ENM's music label, WakeOne.[12]
On November 4, TO1 released their second EP Re:Alize, with the title track "No More X".[13]
On December 28, Wake One announced that Woonggi would be taking a break from the group due to an anxiety disorder, and thus TO1 would temporarily continue with the remaining members.
2022-2023: Line-up changes, Why Not??, UP2U, Renta's departure and departure from WakeOne
On April 30, WakeOne released an official statement via TO1's fan cafe, announcing member Chihoon's departure from the group.[14] On June 17, Wake One announced members Minsu, Jerome, and Woonggi's departure from TO1. They also announced that Daigo, Renta, and Yeojeong will be joining TO1 as new members.[15] Renta and Daigo participated in Produce 101 Japan Season 2, placing 13th and 16th respectively.
On July 28, TO1 released their third EP Why Not??, with the title track "Drummin'".[16]
On November 23, TO1 released their fourth EP UP2U, with the title track "Freeze Tag'".[18]
On September 22, 2023, Renta announced through an Instagram post containing a letter in both Korean and Japanese that he would be leaving the group.[19]
On December 17, 2023, it was announced through a Fancafé post that the group's contract with WakeOne would be terminated officially on December 31, 2023.[20]
"2021년 45주차 Album Chart (Re:alize)" [Gaon Album Chart Week 45, Year 2021]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea. October 31 – November 6, 2021. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
^"Why Not??". September 5, 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-08-31. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
^"2020년 06월 Album Chart" [Gaon Album Chart June Year 2020 (see #52)]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
^"2020년 09월 Album Chart" [Gaon Album Chart September Year 2020 (see #22)]. Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
^Jin, Ju-hee (December 20, 2022). "TO1, 'Mnet Japan HOT ICON' 선정...日 인기 돌풍 예고" [TO1 Selected as ‘Mnet Japan HOT ICON’... Notice of Popularity in Japan]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022 – via Naver.
