(Minami Minegishi's Twitter)

The Mnet Asian Music Awards, an annual K-pop awards ceremony, will feature a special collaboration between I.O.I and Japanese girl group AKB48 for its Japan show, the organizer said.

“(AKB48) decided to have a collaboration performance with the (former) members of I.O.I, who are now back in their original groups,” said Kim Ki-woong, head of the Mnet division, during a press conference held in Sangam-dong, Seoul, Monday.

“(AKB48) is also an idol group produced by the nation (Japan),” said Kim, comparing the band to the Korean group formed via fan votes on Mnet’s “Produce 101.” I.O.I was a project girl group set to last for about a year. It disbanded in January.

“They also agreed to perform I.O.I’s song without hesitation,” Kim added.

(YMC Entertainment)

This year’s MAMA will take place at Hoa Binh Theater in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Saturday, then head to Yokohama Arena, Japan, on Nov. 29, and finally to Hong Kong for two events, at W Hotel Hong Kong on Nov. 30 and at AsiaWorld-Expo on Dec. 1.

By Kim So-yeon (syk19372@heraldcorp.com)