IZ*ONE Spotlight: Honda Hitomi (ranked #9 on “Produce48”)

As we are a little over a month away for the music debut of global pop group, IZ*ONE (pronounced as “Eyes One”, IZ=12 and 12 members make One), we have been spotlighting each member.

IZ*ONE is comprised of 12 trainees who competed among 96 trainees from South Korea and Japan (members of AKB48G).

Last time we spotlighted Lee Chae Yeon (ranked #12) of WM Entertainment, Kim Minjoo (ranked #11) of Urban Works Entertainment and Kim Chaewon (ranked #10) of Stone Music Entertainment.

This time we will spotlight Honda Hitomi of AKB48 and AKB48 Team 8 who ranked #9 and became a member of IZ*ONE!

A former cheerleader, she is also a popular dancer known for busting out with choreography.  Bursting with cuteness and attracting people who enjoy her big cheeks.

When Honda Hitomi promoted herself on “Produce48”, she showcased her cheerleading ability.

And one of the first Korean trainees that she had gotten close to is the super cute Banana Culture Entertainment’s Kim Nayoung.  And both were pair or double cuteness that people look forward to seeing on the show.

When she did her dance performance with two of her fellow AKB48 members, she was given a C.

While it was stressful at first, Honda Hitomi wanted to prove herself for her re-evaluation for the trainers and when many trainees were failing, she came out and sung the Korean version of “Nekkoya” and immediately was given an “A” grade.

While the first three rankings were enough to get her in the Top 58 from a rank to 30-47-22, from then on she has stayed at #12.

She was placed in the I.O.I. “Very Very Very” Team led by Ahn Yujin and when everyone was learning the choreography, Honda picked up the iPad and looked at it and learned the choreography immediately and ended up teaching her team the dance moves.

It was what broke the ice between her and teammates and despite the language barrier, she became instrumental and the team ended up beating Miyawaki Sakura’s “Very Very Very” team which featured the top trainees for the Team Battle.

And when it came to the Position Evaluation, once again Honda Hitomi’s choreography came out strong and she ended up second place for her team.

But yet, her rankings remained consistent at always staying at the #12 position in the elimination round.

And next up was the competition evaluation.  It was not easy for Honda Hitomi because while she remained strong in choreography, she had been wanting to show herself capable as a singer. And sure enough, with a strong performance, National Producers voted Team Rollin’ Rollin that she was part of, the #1 concept evaluation team.

Honda Hitomi has stayed strong with each elimination round, consistent at the #12 spot. and moving up to #9 and then to #11, with the competition tough, she would need to show that she deserved to be in IZ*ONE and in the finale, she was able to take on both singing and choreography roles twice.

But when it came to the final ranking, was she going to be #12?  Will she be part of IZ*ONE?  As #11 and the #10 spot went, would Honda Hitomi be in the running for IZ*ONE?  And sure enough, her name was called at #9 and rooting and crying for her was her friend, Banana Culture Entertainment’s Kim Nayoung and her fellow members of the AKB48G.

We look forward to seeing Honda Hitomi performing as a member of IZ*ONE!

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