Hitomi Honda facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hitomi Honda
Honda in December 2023 at the 2023 Melon Music Awards
Born	(2001-10-06) 6 October 2001 (age 23) Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Occupation	Singer actress
Years active	2014–present
Musical career
Genres	J-pop K-pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	iNKODE Mama & Son Off the Record
Korean name
Hangul	혼다 히토미
Revised Romanization	Honda Hitomi
McCune–Reischauer	Honda Hit'omi
Japanese name
Kanji	本田 仁美
Hiragana	ほんだ ひとみ
Romanization	Honda Hitomi

Hitomi Honda (本田 仁美, born 6 October 2001) is a talented Japanese singer and actress. She lives and works in South Korea. Hitomi is currently a member of the South Korean girl group Say My Name. Before this, she was part of the popular South Korean–Japanese group Iz*One and the Japanese group AKB48.

Career

Early Days and Joining AKB48 (2012–2017)

Honda at an AKB48 fan event in 2017

When Hitomi was in elementary school, from 2012 to 2014, she appeared on a local TV show called Kodomojikan in her hometown.

In 2014, when she was 12 years old, Hitomi tried out for AKB48's Team 8. She was accepted into the group and represented her home area, Tochigi Prefecture. Later, in December 2024, she was even named the Tochigi Future Ambassador by the Governor of Tochigi Prefecture. This was a special honor for her.

In 2017, she became the main reporter for a local TV show on Tochigi Television. On this show, she shared interesting facts and news about Tochigi Prefecture.

Becoming Famous with Produce 48 and Iz*One (2018–2021)

Honda in October 2018

In April 2018, Hitomi started hosting her own radio show called Toyota Rental Lease Presents: Honda Hitomi Heat Is On. It was broadcast on Radio Berry.

Later that year, in the AKB48 General Election, which is a big popularity contest for the group, Hitomi ranked 82nd. This was her first time ever making it into the top rankings!

From May to August 2018, Hitomi took part in a TV show called Produce 48. This was a competition to create a new K-pop girl group. Hitomi did very well, finishing in 9th place. Because of this, she became a member of the new Korean-Japanese idol group called Iz*One.

In September, it was announced that Hitomi would be featured on an AKB48 main song for the first time. The song was called "No Way Man" and came out in November. On the same day, she shared that she would take a break from AKB48 for two and a half years. This was so she could focus completely on her activities with Iz*One.

In October, Iz*One officially debuted with their song "La Vie en Rose". Hitomi was a key part of this new group.

In October 2020, Hitomi became a model for the Japanese fashion brand titty&co. She modeled for their Winter 2020 Collection and later became their main model in 2021.

On April 29, 2021, Hitomi's contract with Iz*One ended, and the group finished their activities. In May, she returned to AKB48 and performed in a show for the first time since her break.

On October 8, she launched her very own beauty brand called NOTONE. At the end of 2021, Hitomi changed her management company, moving to DH.

Life After Iz*One (2022–2023)

On February 23, 2022, it was announced that Hitomi would be the main singer and dance center for AKB48's 59th single, "Moto Kare desu". This was a big achievement for her, as it was her first time in both important roles. In March, she became the face of Utena's haircare product, Matomage.

In July, her management company, DH, moved to Mama & Son. That same month, Hitomi made her acting debut with a small role in the TV show Octo: Kanjou Sousakan Shinno Akari. In October, she got her first main acting role in the show Hokuo Kojirase Nikki.

In April 2023, AKB48 Team 8 stopped its activities. Because of this, Hitomi became a member of Team A starting May 1. In July, she played a supporting role as Enami Misato in the TV show The Greatest Teacher. On August 30, 2023, Hitomi announced that she would be leaving AKB48. Her last song with the group was "Idol Nanka Janakattara", which came out on September 27.

In December, she hosted the red carpet event for the 2023 Melon Music Awards. She did this with her friend Nako Yabuki, who was also in Iz*One, and Ha Ji-young.

Graduation from AKB48 and Debut with Say My Name (2024–Present)

Hitomi's special graduation concert from AKB48 was held on January 26, 2024, at Pacifico Yokohama. She had her final performance at the AKB48 Theater on January 28, 2024. After this, she officially left Mama & Son Entertainment on May 1, 2024.

On September 13, 2024, it was announced that Hitomi was the last member to join a new 7-member South Korean girl group called Say My Name. She was chosen as the leader of the group during their debut showcase on October 15. The group officially launched the very next day with their first album, an EP also called Say My Name, and their main song "WaveWay".

Personal Life

Hitomi's family includes her mother, father, and an older brother and sister. She is a big fan of the Utsunomiya Brex basketball team. When she was in elementary school, from 4th to 6th grade, she was part of their cheerleading school.

AKB48 General Election Placements

Hitomi Honda took part in the annual AKB48 General Election several times. This is a special event where fans vote for their favorite members. In 2018, she ranked 82nd, which was her first time being ranked!

Concerts

Hitomi has performed in many concerts throughout her career, including:

• AKB48 Group Tokyo Dome Concert (2014)
• AKB48 Kouhaku Utagassen (2014)
• Team 8 National Tour (2014-2017)
• Kojimatsuri (2017)
• AKB48 Team 8 Senbatsu Concert (2018)
• Iz*One 1st Concert "Eyes On Me" (2019)

Filmography

Television Series

Hitomi has appeared in several TV shows:

Television Shows

She has also been on various TV shows:

Radio Shows

Hitomi has hosted her own radio shows:

See also

In Spanish: Hitomi Honda para niños