Meet IS:SUE, the rising stars of J-pop
A little more than one year after their debut, these idols are starting to take the global stage
IS:SUE for their latest single “Kó-e.”
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Words by Ethan Huang
K-pop fans might be familiar with Produce 101, the reality show in which prospective idols compete to be selected to join a new K-pop group.
The show ran in South Korea for four seasons and has since expanded, with countries like China, Thailand, and Japan developing their own versions. Japan’s 2023 season ended with the formation of the girl group ME:I, composed of the top 11 contestants from the show.
But we’re not talking about them here. We’re talking about the runner-ups who carved their own path, debuting in June 2024 as their own group, IS:SUE. The name is a play on both the English word “issue” and the Japanese word “ishu,” meaning “a different kind.” The result is the concept of a group seeking to be unique while reaching its fans through topicality. “For me, each person has their own individuality that shines, but when we come together, we generate tremendous energy, and that’s what I see what IS:SUE is,” says Nano, the leader of the group.
She and fellow IS:SUE members, Rino and Yuuki, recently spoke with JoySauce. The group’s fourth member, Rin, is currently taking a break from her musical activities.
IS:SUE for their single “Extreme Diamond."
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It is hard to believe that these women were once fierce competitors, but according to Yuuki, their friendship actually began while they were still on Produce 101. “We were obviously rivals in the show, but then we performed the final song together in the show,” she says. “From that moment on, we got to know each other, and we felt like we were friends who had worked hard together...From our debut until now, we have faced a lot of situations, but we have overcome them together, and that’s how we form a strong bond.”
IS:SUE currently has three singles out, aptly titled 1st IS:SUE, Welcome Strangers: 2nd IS:SUE, and Extreme Diamond: 3rd IS:SUE. One might be surprised if they played a song off one of these singles. Despite being sung in Japanese, the songs embody many of the hallmarks of K-pop, whether it be the distinct dance style, their fashion choices, or the incorporation of rap over upbeat melodies.
According to Nano, this choice is deliberate. “Since our formation, we wanted to perform not only in Japan but overseas,” she says. “So conveying not only the Japanese element, but also K-pop (makes it) easier to (reach) overseas as well.”
That said, their latest song, “Kó-e,” is a radical departure from this. Composed in collaboration with producer Taku Takahashi, the song is more melodic and lyrical. The hard beats of their other work are traded in for a mix of strings, guitar and lighter percussion. “The song structure is very Japanese compared to the other songs we have,” Rino says. “Usually recording takes one to two hours for me, but this song took four hours, the longest ever.” Vulnerability is something idols do not often get to express, whether it be because of the industry, or societal pressure. However, IS:SUE had the opportunity to do it through their art. “Until now, we have been trying to show that we are strong, and that it is okay to be yourself,” she adds. “This time, we were trying to express the beauty of weakness.”
IS:SUE’s artistry is also born from its members' individual influences, many of which are not actually K-pop. For Nano, she was inspired by the now-disbanded girl group E-girls, primarily because it played to its members’ unique strengths, from their vocals to their dancing ability.
Yuuki was inspired by the music her older sister listened to, which includes Beyoncé and Namie Amuro. She was also inspired by the rock band ONE OK ROCK, particularly by its live performances. “But (these inspirations) were more like an idol, a slightly distant figure, but when I found out about K-pop, that’s how I started feeling like I want to be one of them as well,” she says.
IS:SUE currently has three singles out, but they've already established a loyal fanbase.
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Similar to Yuuki, Rino started singing and dancing after hearing the voices of the aforementioned Amuro, as well as Hikaru Utada from when her mother would listen. Today, however, it is BLACKPINK that serves as her biggest inspiration. “It was amazing that they were a group of girls that’s being admired by girls,” Rino says. “I wanted to be like them, so they are basically my role model to be a performer in IS:SUE.”
Like these artists before, IS:SUE strives to be a beacon of inspiration for their fans, known collectively as REBORN. In particular, they hope to resonate with the other women in their audience by reminding them that they are allowed to be real. “I think perfection is wonderful—the looks and the personality and everything—perfection is wonderful, but I think it is also important to be a human being, like naturally true to themselves,” Yuuki says. “By being myself, not lying to myself, and showing my struggles is one key to becoming a role model because you can relate to that.”
Most recently, IS:SUE took the first step in their goal of becoming global. In August, the group performed at KCON in Los Angeles—a dream come true, according to its members. “I wanted to go to L.A. for a long time, so I’m beyond grateful that my first trip to L.A. was as an artist,” Rino says. “The fact that American fans were saying their feelings honestly was something I thought was amazing. I felt like they were genuinely enjoying the music.”
Following their upcoming performance at Rock in Japan 2025 on Sunday, IS:SUE’s next step is headlining their first tour in December, hitting cities across Japan ranging from Yokohama to Osaka. Nano is looking forward to it. “I’m just so happy and excited to be able to go on a tour because this is our first time, and I’m so excited to see fans from different places, and I can’t forget the fact that I’m excited for the food,” she says.
But with the anticipation, there’s also some anxiety, as they seek to pull off an ambitious tour a year and a half after their initial debut. “This time, we are going to visit our fans, not fans coming to us, and I love doing that,” Rino says. “I’m a little bit worried about whether we can maintain the energy throughout this tour, since this is our first time doing a performance every weekend. We know that there are some fans that are coming to the shows, not only once, but twice. So, we want to make sure that every performance feels fresh to them.”
But even beyond December, IS:SUE is still looking to what is next. Whether that looks like a world tour, the discovery of a signature style, or even a performance at Tokyo Dome, the future seems bright.
For REBORN, Nano leaves one last message: “For every fan, every REBORN, thank you for supporting and loving us throughout this year, and we will try our best to give even more love and show the best version of ourselves. Thank you so much for always being there for us.”
Published on September 11, 2025
Words by Ethan Huang
Ethan Huang is a journalist and legal professional based in Los Angeles, CA. His work encompasses everything from film criticism to covering the API community in both writing and audio. He has worked with USC's Annenberg Media, NASA JPL, Proximity Media, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Eastern Standard Times, and more. More at https://ethanhuangweb.