Recently, JYJ member Jaejoon started his own idol agency, iNKODE, which is now set to launch its very first group, a girl group named SAY MY NAME. They are reportedly slated for an October debut.
On August 30, KST, iNKODE introduced the very first member of SAY MY NAME, Dohee, through a video teaser. So far, no further details about the other members are known. But some eagle-eyed fans are speculating that former IZ*ONE member Honda Hitomi might be a part of this group as well!
The rumors started after some fans noticed that iNKODE’s CEO, Noh Hyun Tae, had been following Hitomi on Instagram since July. In addition, her account was listed as being based in South Korea, which gave further grounds to the speculations.
The speculations were further fuelled by the fact that Hitomi parted ways with her Japanese management, Mama&Son, in May this year after graduating from AKB48 last year. Since parting ways with her Japanese agency, Hitomi has largely been inactive on social media platforms, leading to suspicions that she might be preparing to return to K-Pop.
Though all of these remain at the level of speculation, many fans are rooting for Hitomi’s return soon.
inkode new girl group… HITOMI YOU WILL COME BACK TO ME!! https://t.co/ayw3E1aIZL
— min (@jigumizu) August 30, 2024
Sooo i think Honda Hitomi is gonna be a part of Inkode’s Say My Name then…
— ️️ ️️️️️️️️️ ️️ ️️ ️️ (@fanifanitifanny) August 30, 2024
[UPDATE] 🔔
Take this with a grain of salt: iNKODE’s CEO and director, recently followed #HITOMI on Instagram. Fans noticed her account is based in South Korea, sparking training or project rumors.#혼다히토미 #本田仁美 #HondaHitomi @hnd_htm__1006 pic.twitter.com/lQWKv53RMD
— for honda hitomi (@hndhtmsocial) July 28, 2024
Meanwhile, SAY MY NAME’s first member, Dohee, has received an explosive reaction from netizens after her teaser’s release. Read more about it here.
