IZ*ONE, a project group made up of the 12 finalists of Mnet’s competition show “Produce 48,” is set to debut in October.

The group members were spotted Tuesday at Incheon Airport on their way to Japan to carry out their first official schedule in Japan.

(Mnet)

IZ*ONE will engage in promotional activities in Japan and prepare for its planned debut.

The group’s name refers to how the 12 female members became a group with the support of global fans. It is the first Korean-Japanese group formed through an audition program, which invited 96 contestants including members from the J-pop group AKB48 and its sister groups.

(Mnet)

(Mnet)

The group is set to run for 2 1/2 years -- longer than the official activity periods of previous project groups, I.O.I and Wanna One.

By Kim Hye-soo (clairek@heraldcorp.com)