Third Time’s the Charm? ✨ K-Pop’s Hitomi Breaks the Mold with SAY MY NAME’s First Win! 🚀
In the fiercely competitive, rapidly evolving landscape of K-pop, certain milestones transcend mere chart success, signaling a powerful testament to strategic resilience and unwavering vision. We at Hello Korea are witnessing one such pivotal moment as **SAY MY NAME**’s leader, **Hitomi**, achieves her group’s first music show victory, a triumph that underscores an extraordinary, multi-faceted career trajectory in a globalized industry.
The **SAY MY NAME** member recently took to her personal SNS, penning a heartfelt, lengthy message accompanied by crying emojis, expressing her profound emotions following their historic win. This emotional outpouring came after the group secured their debut #1 trophy on **KBS2’s ‘Music Bank’** with their new track, **‘UFO’ (ATTENT!ON)**, on **January 9th**. The sheer elation was palpable, with **Hitomi** and her fellow members openly shedding tears of joy on stage.
**Hitomi** revealed thoughts she couldn’t express during the broadcast, stating, “After one year since debut, when the moment I had always dreamed of became a reality, I simply couldn’t believe it.” She candidly admitted to the struggles of embarking on a new path, even with prior experience in Korea. “Although I had experience promoting in Korea before, there were many first-time experiences that led to days filled with worry and concern,” she confessed, highlighting the inherent challenges of adapting to new industry dynamics.
As the leader of **SAY MY NAME**, **Hitomi** delved into the profound weight of her role. “Feeling how important and difficult the role of a leader is, I questioned if I was doing well in an unfamiliar environment, compared myself to my past self, and often worried. I also hit walls several times that were hard to overcome alone.” Despite these hurdles, she acknowledged the unwavering support of her team and fans, emphasizing that this #1 achievement was “a dream that I could never have accomplished with my own strength alone.” She extended her heartfelt gratitude to **iNKODE** staff, including **PD Kim Jaejoong**, the dedicated **ROMIs** (SAY MY NAME’s fandom), and even **PD Kim Jaejoong**’s fans, the **BABYS**, for making this beautiful moment possible.
Beyond the collective thanks, **Hitomi** shared a touching message to her fellow members: “I also want to always thank my precious seven younger sisters who trusted and followed an imperfect unnie.” True to her leadership, she also delivered a resolute statement on the group’s future, asserting, “Now is just the beginning!” She concluded with an inspiring declaration of her unwavering belief that “if I never give up, always believe positively, and move forward, there is no dream I cannot achieve.”
This victory marks a significant chapter in **Hitomi’s** remarkable career, which includes stints in top-tier girl groups in both Japan and Korea. Her journey began with a debut in Japanese girl group **AKB48** in **2014**. After reaching the pinnacle of the Japanese music scene, she strategically pivoted in **2018** to challenge herself in the Korea-Japan joint audition program **‘Produce48’**. Demonstrating exceptional talent, she secured a spot in the project girl group **IZ*ONE**, actively promoting for approximately three years and dominating music charts across both countries. Following her official graduation from **AKB48** in **2024**, **Hitomi** made a decisive third debut in **October 2024** by joining the new K-pop girl group **SAY MY NAME**, ultimately leading them to their first music show win with **‘UFO’**.
Hitomi’s journey isn’t just a personal story; it’s a blueprint for adaptability and persistence in a volatile entertainment sector. Her success reinforces the idea that strategic re-entry and embracing new challenges can unlock unprecedented growth.
We eagerly anticipate more beautiful and unforgettable moments from **SAY MY NAME** as they continue their journey, promising to reward their dedicated audience with future achievements.
Editor: Alex Kim 💻
