X1

The summer of 2019 was electric for K-pop fans watching Produce X 101. On July 19, the finale revealed eleven boys who would form X1. Kim Yo-han took the center position with over 1.3 million votes, while Han Seung-woo, already a member of Victon, became the leader. The group's name combined the Roman numeral X (10) with 1, representing their 11 members.

They debuted at Gocheok Sky Dome on August 27, dropping the mini-album Emergency: Quantum Leap with the title track "Flash." The song blended electronic-pop and hip-hop, and the album sold over 500,000 copies in its first month. Within a week, X1 grabbed their first music show win on The Show. They went on to collect 11 wins total for "Flash," a record for a rookie group.

But the ride was short. In November 2019, news broke that Mnet staff had manipulated votes on Produce X 101. Activities halted. Despite a five-year contract, negotiations between agencies fell apart. On January 6, 2020, X1 officially disbanded. Fans, known as ONE ITs, mounted campaigns like #WingsForX1 to keep the group's spirit alive, but the members went their separate ways. All 11 have since redebuted in new groups or as soloists, carrying forward the legacy of a group that burned bright and fast. [edit]

X1 was born from Mnet's Produce X 101, the fourth season of the survival show franchise. 101 trainees from various agencies competed over 12 episodes, performing missions and building fan bases. Viewers voted to decide the final lineup.

The finale aired live on July 19, 2019. The top 10 were chosen from the remaining 20, with the 11th spot (rank X) going to the eliminated trainee with the highest cumulative votes. That was Nam Do-hyon, then just 14 years old. Kim Yo-han topped the final vote, while Han Seung-woo and Kim Woo-seok brought experience from already-debuted groups. The final roster spanned ages 14 to 24, creating a dynamic mix of seasoned performers and raw talent. [edit]

X1's only release, Emergency: Quantum Leap, showcased a versatile pop sound. The title track "Flash" was a synth-driven electronic-pop anthem with a powerful chorus. B-sides explored hip-hop on "U Got It" (produced by Flow Blow) and "Move" (produced by Zico), while ballads like "I'm Here for You" and "Like Always" highlighted the members' vocal range. Cho Seung-youn (WOODZ) contributed to songwriting, adding a personal touch. Though limited to one album, the group demonstrated potential for genre fluidity. [edit]

X1's brief existence had outsized effects. Their debut album became the 4th best-selling of 2019 in Korea, proving the power of survival show fandom. The vote manipulation scandal that ended them led to increased scrutiny of Mnet's voting systems and prison sentences for producers. All 11 members successfully redebuted or launched solo careers, showing the resilience of survival show talent. Groups like CRAVITY, DRIPPIN, MIRAE, and BAE173 all trace roots to X1 members. The disbandment also sparked a conversation about the sustainability of project groups in K-pop. [edit]

ONE ITs, the official fandom name announced on August 19, 2019, are known for their fierce loyalty. Despite the group's disbandment, fans maintain active social media accounts and organize projects to support all 11 members. The greeting "Fly High!" became a rallying cry. ONE ITs have run subway ads in Seoul, international streaming parties, and the #WingsForX1 campaign on Twitter, which gathered nearly 20,000 followers. Their dedication turned into a case study in fan persistence. [edit]

X1's name combines X (Roman numeral 10) and 1, totaling 11 members. Han Seung-woo and Kim Woo-seok had already debuted with Victon and UP10TION before joining. Cho Seung-youn was a known solo artist as WOODZ. The group earned their first music show win just 7 days after debut. Nam Do-hyon, the youngest, was 14 at debut. X1 was originally contracted for 5 years but lasted only 5 months. Despite disbandment, all 11 members remain active in the industry. [edit]