May 23 (News On Japan) - The official trailer has been released for JO1 THE MOVIE "Unfinished" -Bon Voyage-, a documentary film chronicling the journey of the 11-member idol group JO1. The trailer opens with a voice saying, "Being able to set one clear goal made me happy," capturing the emotional tone of the group as they reflect on their progress.
The film follows their aspirations, with one member declaring, "I want to take JO1 to the world." Scenes show the group pushing forward with optimism: "We can go global. Yes, believe it. Let’s go!"
The trailer also touches on the ups and downs of their career, including challenges they overcame together. "We’ve shared both hardships and happy moments. That’s why I’m glad we got through it," one member says. As all 11 members gather on stage, another adds, "I feel so happy we’re finally united. I can be here now because of my fellow members."
The trailer ends with cheers and applause, as the group calls out to fans: "Will you keep traveling with us on this amazing journey? Let’s go together from here on!"
In the early days of JO1, the members came together as strangers, each with different backgrounds, levels of experience, and personal reasons for chasing the dream of becoming an idol. What unified them was not just the pursuit of stardom, but the grueling and transformative process of surviving a competitive audition program broadcast to millions. From the outset, their story was one of perseverance—learning new choreography overnight, dealing with online criticism, managing exhaustion, and pushing through physical and mental barriers. Those early months forged a deep bond that would become the foundation of their growth as a group. Yet even after their debut, their path was anything but smooth.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created a uniquely difficult challenge for JO1. Just as they were preparing to promote their first songs and engage with fans through concerts and events, the world shut down. For a group that thrives on live performance and audience energy, the isolation was a severe blow. In the documentary, members reflect on this period with raw honesty. One confesses the frustration of feeling sidelined, questioning why he couldn't stand on the stage where he believed he belonged. Another admits that despite the technical success of their releases, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—an emotional gap left by the inability to connect in person with fans and fully realize their dreams. The inability to perform live didn’t just slow their momentum—it tested their faith in themselves and their mission.
But JO1 is not a group that accepts stagnation. Rather than retreat, they began turning inward, strengthening their craft and relationships. As restrictions gradually lifted, they saw overseas activities as both a goal and a symbol—a tangible way to reclaim what had been lost during the pandemic. One member’s declaration that he wanted to “take JO1 to the world” wasn't just a hopeful statement—it was a mission forged from disappointment and made urgent by time. The group began to focus on building their international presence, learning foreign languages, collaborating with global producers, and delivering performances tailored for audiences outside Japan. With each step, their concept of success evolved, becoming less about fame and more about meaning—about bringing their message of hope and endurance to new places, and proving that Japanese artists could rise on the global stage without compromise.
The emotional depth of JO1’s journey is underscored by their unity. Time and again, the members credit each other for giving them the strength to continue. The trailer for Unfinished includes a moment where one simply states, “I can be here now because of my fellow members.” This sentiment captures the essence of their story: that fame, music, and accolades are meaningful only when shared. Their concerts are no longer just performances but celebrations of survival—testaments to what can be achieved through trust, mutual support, and the refusal to give up. From struggling to book stages to filling major venues, from anonymous trainees to cultural icons, JO1’s journey has been one of transformation built on grit and gratitude.
As JO1 looks ahead, they carry with them the lessons of an unfinished story. The title of their documentary, "Unfinished", is not a weakness—it is a declaration. Their voyage is still unfolding, and rather than pretending to be perfect or complete, they choose to share the process itself with their fans. In doing so, they invite their audience not just to watch, but to walk with them—to believe in the beauty of an ever-evolving dream and the power of togetherness. In an industry often obsessed with polish, JO1 dares to embrace the unfinished, and in doing so, redefines what it means to be an idol.
Source: JO1
