Honda Hitomi: From AKB48 to IZ*ONE - The Untold Story of a Cross-Cultural Idol Journey

At just 12 years old, Honda Hitomi embarked on her journey with AKB48's Team 8, representing Tochigi Prefecture. Her early start in the Japanese idol industry would eventually pave the way for an extraordinary cross-cultural career spanning multiple successful groups.

Subsequently, Honda's path took an unexpected turn when she participated in the 2018 survival show Produce 48, securing 9th place and debuting with IZ*ONE. During her time with the Korean-Japanese group, she showcased her talents through activities like lyric writing for songs including "Merry-Go-Round" and "La Vie en Rose."

This comprehensive guide explores Honda Hitomi's remarkable evolution from her AKB48 beginnings to her IZ*ONE success, and her latest venture as the leader of the South Korean girl group Say My Name.

Early Life and AKB48 Beginnings

Born in Tochigi Prefecture, Honda Hitomi grew up in a close-knit family environment. Her household included:

Her parents
Older sister Erii
Older brother Mitsu
Family dog Pome

From her earliest years, Hitomi displayed remarkable resilience and strength of character. Her parents noted that she rarely cried as a child. Furthermore, her signature chubby cheeks became a distinguishing feature that would later endear her to fans.

Notably, Hitomi's academic dedication shone through despite her busy schedule, as she maintained excellent grades throughout her school years. Between 2012 and 2014, she gained her first taste of entertainment through appearances on "Kodomojikan," a local television program in her hometown.

Her passion for performance primarily emerged through athletic pursuits. As a student, Hitomi joined her school's cheerleading team and additionally became part of the cheerleading academy for the J-league professional basketball team, Utsunomiya Brex. This early exposure to dance and performance sparked her interest in the entertainment industry.

The pivotal moment in young Hitomi's journey arrived in 2014. After discovering her love for dance, she made the bold decision to audition for AKB48's Team 8. At just 12 years old, she successfully secured her position as the representative for Tochigi Prefecture. This achievement marked the beginning of what would become a decade-long career with the group.

The Produce 48 Journey

In June 2018, Honda Hitomi joined 95 other contestants in the groundbreaking Korean-Japanese collaboration show Produce 48. The program marked an unprecedented venture, combining Korea's trainee system with Japan's idol culture.

Taking the Leap into Korean Entertainment

The show presented a unique challenge, as contestants competed for 12 spots in a Korean-Japanese hybrid group. Rather than following the speculated format of equal representation, the final lineup would be determined solely by Korean viewers' votes. This decision stemmed from concerns about the vast popularity gap between established AKB48 members and Korean trainees.

Language and Cultural Challenges

The cultural differences between Korean and Japanese idol systems became immediately apparent. Primarily, Japanese idols focused on entertainment value rather than technical proficiency. As one contestant noted, "In Japan, being an idol is more about having fun and showing that".

Honda's determination shone through these challenges. Specifically, she tackled the language barrier head-on, achieving remarkable results:

Passed the TOPIK II (Intermediate-Advanced Level) test
Completed her Korean driver's license exam in Korean
Became one of the most proficient foreign idols in Korean language

Rising from F to A Class

Altogether, Honda's journey through the show's ranking system demonstrated her exceptional growth. Her re-evaluation impressed the judges with both dance and vocal abilities. Her fast-learning capabilities earned recognition when she became the first member to master the "Very Very Very" team choreography.

IZ*ONE Success Story

October 2018 marked the beginning of Honda Hitomi's remarkable journey with IZONE, as the group released their debut EP "ColorIz". The EP achieved extraordinary success, selling over 225,000 units and securing the second position on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart.

Adapting to Korean Idol Life

Honda demonstrated exceptional versatility by contributing to both Korean and Japanese releases. Her linguistic abilities shone through as she wrote lyrics for multiple songs, including "Merry-Go-Round" and the Japanese version of "La Vie en Rose".

Building Cross-Cultural Relationships

The group's success extended beyond borders with their Japanese debut single "Suki to Iwasetai" in February 2019. The single peaked at second position on the Oricon Singles Chart and earned platinum certification after surpassing 250,000 unit sales.

Notable Achievements with IZ*ONE

Under Honda's participation, IZ*ONE secured several groundbreaking achievements:

Their debut EP "Color*Iz" set a new record for first-day sales among girl group debuts
"Bloom*Iz" became the first girl group album to exceed 300,000 copies in Hanteo history
"Oneiric Diary" earned double platinum certification from KMCA

The group's influence extended beyond music, as they became the first guest performers to participate in Tokyo Girls Collection events across three cities. Their commercial impact was so significant that they emerged as Oricon's best-selling new artist for the first half of 2019, generating approximately ¥510 million in total sales.

Post-IZ*ONE Evolution

After IZ*ONE's disbandment in 2021, Honda Hitomi returned to her roots in Japanese entertainment, continuing her journey with AKB48. Her final theater performance at the AKB48 Theater took place on January 28, 2024, marking the end of her decade-long association with the group.

Return to Japanese Entertainment

Upon returning to Japan, Honda primarily focused on expanding her portfolio. In October 2021, she launched her own cosmetic beauty brand named NOTON. Her acting career also flourished as she secured a main role in "Hokuo Kojirase Nikki" as Ootori Shimako.

Weight Loss and Image Transformation

Honda's physical transformation garnered significant attention. On a Japanese variety program "Conkura Be," she revealed her motivation for weight loss: "I was quite chubby before going to Korea. But when I actually went to Korea and saw other girl group members who were very slim and had pretty figures, I was shocked and lost 10kg". Consequently, she incorporated regular exercise into her routine, attending Pilates or gym sessions 2-3 times weekly.

Plans with SAY MY NAME

Ultimately, Honda's career took an unexpected turn as she was announced as the final member and leader of the South Korean girl group SAY MY NAME. The group, produced by Kim Jaejoong under iNKODE, consists of seven members:

Dohee
Kanny
Mei
Junhwi
Soha
Seungjoo
Honda Hitomi

The group made their official debut on October 16, 2024, with an eponymous EP featuring "WaveWay" as the lead single. Presently, this new chapter represents Honda's return to the K-pop industry, now in a leadership role that builds upon her extensive experience in both Japanese and Korean entertainment sectors.

FAQS

Fans frequently ask questions about Honda Hitomi's experiences and preferences. Here are some of the most common queries:

What Korean foods do you miss most? "Honey Combo Chicken and Cheese Balls are my favorites. Moreover, I particularly enjoy rosé tteokbokki and Greek yogurt. Indeed, Korean Greek yogurt's thick texture is unmatched in Japan".

What memorable experiences did you have in Korea? "My trip to Jeju Island with Kim Min Ju and our manager stands out. After our final concert, we had about a month in Korea. This was my first real vacation, filled with good food and leisure time".

How has your personality evolved? "My MBTI type shifted from INFJ to ES-. The change surprised me significantly".

What are your current activities in Japan? "Besides group promotions, I work on individual projects including magazine shoots, CF shoots, and acting roles. My activities extend beyond idol work".

What are your future career aspirations? "While performing as an idol in Japan, I hope to utilize my Korean language skills more extensively. I aim to reach a broader global audience. Primarily, I'm interested in acting opportunities, including roles in Korean projects".

Do you follow Korean entertainment? "The drama 'Signal' is among my favorites. Essentially, I love acting and would welcome opportunities in Korean productions, even as a foreign character".