A five-member South Korean girl group under JYP Entertainment, debuted on February 12, 2019. Members are Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. Their fandom is called MIDZY.
ITZY stands for “있지” — roughly, “you already have it.” The name reflects the group’s core message: you don’t need to look for anything outside yourself.
JYP’s answer to a new generation
ITZY arrived as JYP Entertainment’s first girl group since TWICE debuted in 2015. That alone made them one of the most anticipated debuts of the year. But what actually landed wasn’t the hype — it was the message.
“Dalla Dalla,” their debut single, told listeners to stop trying to fit in and start embracing who they already are. It hit 14 million YouTube views within 24 hours and won nine music show trophies. For a debut song, that kind of immediate resonance is rare. It set the tone for everything that followed.
What they stand for
Most K-pop groups in 2019 were still working within a familiar playbook — aspirational, polished, designed to be admired. ITZY went a different direction. Their early run of singles — “Dalla Dalla,” “ICY,” “WANNABE” — built a consistent identity around self-confidence and not caring what others think. It was direct in a way that connected with a younger audience quickly.
That message hasn’t shifted much over the years. The sound has evolved and the concepts have gotten more complex, but the underlying attitude is still recognizable.
Where they stand now
Six years in, ITZY have a catalog that spans nine mini albums and two studio albums. They’ve toured extensively, launched in Japan, and maintained a steady presence in the Korean music scene. Member Lia took a break from activities in 2023 and returned with the group’s ninth mini album GOLD in late 2024.
In 2025, Yeji is set to release her first solo album — the first solo debut from any ITZY member.
Where to start listening
“Dalla Dalla” (2019) — The debut. Still the clearest statement of who they are.
“WANNABE” (2020) — Probably their most widely known song internationally, and the one that best captures the group’s energy.
“마.피.아. In the Morning” (2021) — A harder, darker concept that showed the group could pull off something more intense without losing their identity.
Photo Credit: ITZY’s Official SNS