MIDZYs, we need to talk about ITZY’s debut. It was a huge deal in K-pop! Everyone was excited about JYP Entertainment’s new girl group (their first since TWICE). We knew they would be good, but we were all surprised by the awesome confidence and energy these five members had right from the start.
The day that started it all was February 12, 2019. The instant their music video for “DALLA DALLA” came out, they became a top group. This song was more than just music; it was a bold message about loving yourself that quickly defined the new era of the 4th Generation of K-pop. Their main idea was new, brave, and truly original.
In this piece, we’ll dig into that major debut day. We’ll cover the crazy records they smashed (like winning a music show faster than anyone), their first single album, and get to know the members better: Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. Get ready to review a piece of K-pop history!
When Did ITZY Debut?
ITZY debuted on February 12, 2019, when JYP Entertainment released their first single album, It’z Different. Their main song, “DALLA DALLA” (which means ‘Different’), immediately became a massive hit and a popular song about loving yourself as you are.
Their start was so successful that they won their first music show award on M Countdown only nine days later. This broke the record for the fastest music show win ever for a K-pop girl group. This amazing launch instantly made the five-member group a leading force in the new 4th Generation of K-pop.
| Debut Date | February 12, 2019 |
| Debut Album | It’z Different (Digital Single Album) |
| Title Track | “DALLA DALLA” (달라달라) |
| Label | JYP Entertainment |
| First Win | February 21, 2019 (M Countdown) |
| Fandom Name | MIDZY (믿지, meaning ‘Trust’) |
| Generation | 4th Gen K-pop |
Who Are The ITZY Members?
The K-pop world received its next set of queens when ITZY officially debuted. Let’s take a quick look at the ITZY girls:
1. Yeji (Leader)
Yeji is the leader and the best overall performer. She owns the stage with her strong, “cat-like” look and is a great Main Dancer and Lead Vocalist. She is often called ITZY’s “hidden weapon” because of her fierce, all-around stage power.
2. Lia (Main Vocalist)
Lia brings a fancy, graceful style to the group; she is the sophisticated icon of the older members. Her clear, special, and powerful singing voice is the steady base for all of ITZY’s upbeat and energetic music.
3. Ryujin (Center/Main Rapper)
The ultimate “Girl Crush” idol. Ryujin is known for her smooth rapping, iconic shoulder moves, and unapologetic swagger. She is the official Center, always commanding attention whether she is performing or just talking.
4. Chaeryeong (Main Dancer)
She is a dance expert. Her movements are smooth, graceful, and technically perfect. She is powerful when performing on stage. Off-stage, Chaeryeong is shy but funny and kind. This makes her excellent on TV variety shows.
5. Yuna (Maknae/Visual)
She is the youngest member (maknae). Yuna is tall, bright, and an immediate visual focus. Her high energy, strong dancing, and pretty smile quickly made her a fan favorite. She is the perfect powerful performer to complete the group’s lineup.
What Was ITZY Debut Song and Album?
ITZY’s first single album was named It’z Different. It was released online on February 12, 2019. The title was a great prediction of their sound! The album only included two songs. These were the famous main track “DALLA DALLA” (‘Different Different’) and the B-side song, “WANT IT?”.
Many debut albums start slowly. However, It’z Different became an instant hit. The producers, Galactika!, blended several styles. They mixed electronic dance music (EDM), hip-hop, and house music. They created a messy but brilliant sound. This sound perfectly fit the strong, encouraging lyrics.
The key message was: “I love myself! Something’s different about me, yeah!” This confident, powerful idea quickly became the signature anthem. It defined the new 4th Generation of K-pop. It immediately captured everyone’s interest.
Why the Hype Was So Real For JYPE’s New Girl Group in 2019
The excitement around ITZY was not normal K-pop buzz. It was huge! JYP Entertainment is famous for making successful girl groups. This includes first-generation groups like Wonder Girls, global stars like Miss A, and the massive group TWICE.
In 2019, JYPE announced a new girl group. It was their first one in four years since TWICE. The music business immediately knew it would be a top-tier debut. I remember being very curious. We knew JYPE would only release something excellent.
Also, the members were already known! We had seen Ryujin on MIXNINE. Chaeryeong was on Sixteen and K-pop Star 3. And Yeji had appeared on The Fan.
JYPE has an amazing history of success. Plus, the members were confirmed to be very talented. This mix created a pre-debut buzz that was extremely loud. It prepared the ground for their record-breaking arrival.
The Pre-Debut Story: Where Did We See The ITZY Members Before?
For many fans (MIDZYs), ITZY didn’t just suddenly appear on February 12, 2019. They were already familiar faces that we had watched and cheered for over time, which really added to the excitement before the debut!
JYP truly put together a dream team of trainees. These members had already proven their skills on national TV shows.
The most well-known was definitely Ryujin. She was a big star on the survival show MIXNINE. She always impressed the judges, even famous ones like YG’s Yang Hyun-suk, and she ended up placing first among all the girl competitors.
Then there is Chaeryeong. She is well-known in K-pop, first appearing on K-pop Star 3 with her sister (Chaeyeon). She later competed on JYP’s 2015 show, Sixteen, which was the show that created the group TWICE.
We also have Yeji! She impressed everyone during her time on the TV competition, The Fan. She showed her great, raw talent as a performer who could do many things well.
This history meant that when the final group lineup was announced, fans knew they were getting a group full of proven talents. Expectations were very high even before the song “DALLA DALLA” was released.
How Fast Did ITZY Get Their First Win?
This event officially made ITZY “monster rookies.” They did not just win quickly; they broke a long-standing record! ITZY released “DALLA DALLA” and held their debut show on February 12, 2019.
Only nine days later, on February 21, 2019, they won their very first music show award on M Countdown.
I remember seeing the video clip. The surprise on their faces was amazing! This success gave them the title of the fastest girl group ever to win first place on a major South Korean music show.
This incredible speed proved two things. First, it showed that “DALLA DALLA” was a guaranteed hit. Second, it proved that the fans (MIDZY) were ready to fully support the girls right away. This quick win was a huge achievement. It was the perfect beginning for their legendary career.
The Debut Era Legacy: “Dalla Dalla” and The Rookie Grand Slam
The “DALLA DALLA” era was more than just a successful start. It began a strong history for ITZY, sometimes called the “Rookie Grand Slam.” The song and the album It’z Different had a message and sound that fans immediately loved. ITZY became the main group leading the 4th Generation of girl groups.
Their achievements are central to this history. They got the fastest music show win for a girl group. Then, ITZY continued to win. They won nine trophies total for “DALLA DALLA” on various music shows. This was a massive success for a debut song!
These wins, along with high first-week album sales and global success, proved ITZY was serious. They were not a short-term trend; they were here to be a major group. They delivered what JYP promised: a confident, strong team that was brave enough to be different. Their debut set a very high bar for all new groups that debuted later.
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Conclusion: ITZY Debuted On February 12, 2019
That single day, February 12, 2019, launched one of the best K-pop groups ever. ITZY released “DALLA DALLA.” They were much better than anyone expected. They quickly broke the record for the fastest music show win!
Their debut proved that JYP Entertainment is excellent at spotting talent. They found stars like Ryujin and Chaeryeong, who were already known from television. ITZY’s first message was about being yourself and self-love.
This built the confident, strong image that fans (MIDZYs) now rely on and love. It was more than just a new kind of start. It was the ideal beginning for the great 4th Generation of K-pop.
FAQs
They are promoting as four members. Lia is on a temporary break. JYP stated she needs to focus on her health as she had high stress and anxiety.
Yes, ITZY debuted after Stray Kids (SKZ). Stray Kids debuted in March 2018. ITZY debuted later, in February 2019. SKZ is the older group (sunbae) at JYP.
Their first award was for their song “DALLA DALLA.” They won on the M Countdown show on February 21, 2019. They won only nine days after their debut. This was the fastest girl group win ever!
ITZY is officially a five-member group. The members are Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna. Lia is taking a rest now; however, she is still a member. Fans await her return.
It is a concern for fans. It happens when a K-pop group hits its seven-year contract end date. Groups often split up when the contract ends. They may lose a member or switch companies.
