ex-IZ*ONE Honda Hitomi rumoredly joins TripleS as a member

On March 24th, the official YouTube channel of the TripleS music group made a significant impact by uploading a video containing a special message: the introduction of 4 new members who will join the group. This has caused a stir among the fan community, sparking waves of speculation about the identities of these new members. However, one of them has received particular attention, and that is member “S”.

In the uploaded video, the current 20 members of the TripleS group appeared, creating excitement and anticipation for the fans. When member “S” was introduced, the attention of the fans focused on a particular detail: a scar on her left leg. This led many to believe that this new member could be Honda Hitomi, a former member of IZ*ONE and AKB48.

Born in 2001, Honda Hitomi participated in Mnet’s survival program “Produce 48” in 2018, marking her debut in the Korean music scene as a member of the girl group IZONE. Alongside members like Jang Won Young, Miyawaki Sakura, Ahn Yu Jin, and Choi Ye Na, Hitomi showcased her refreshing and endearing charm, earning her the affectionate nickname “Human Peach” from fans. Following the disbandment of IZ*ONE in April 2021, Hitomi returned to Japan and resumed her activities with AKB48, where she currently serves as the group’s center.

On August 30th, 2023, Honda Hitomi announced her graduation from AKB48 through the official AKB48 YouTube channel. The 62nd Single of AKB48 was the last single in which she participated as a member of AKB48. Since then, there have been lots of rumors showing that she will come back to Korea and redebut as a girlgroup member.