SGO48 (short for Saigon 48, read S.G.O. Forty-Eight) was a Vietnamese idol girl group based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the seventh international sister group of AKB48 (after Indonesia's JKT48, China's SNH48 (former), Thailand's BNK48, the Philippines' MNL48, China's TSH48, and Taiwan's TPE48). The group debuted on December 22, 2018 and disbanded on their third anniversary, December 22, 2021.
Originally consisting of 29 first-generation members, SGO48 had 20 as of April 2021, thus becoming the Vietnamese girl group with the most members.
History 2018–2019: formation, recruitment and debut On June 21, 2018, AKS Co. announced the formation of SGO48 through a joint venture between CTCP Tập đoàn Yeah1 (Yeah1 Group) (YEG) and Geo Brain Corporation, and formed the YAG Entertainment company. After the recruitment announcement on August 3 by both the AKB48 and YAG Entertainment team, audition process for the group's first generation on August 10, 2018, consisted of three separate rounds: online registration, interview, and lastly, final round. A concept for a SGO48 theater was brought up to conversation during the first livestream meeting with Japanese investors. Within the first round, candidates had to apply online on the company's website by filling out personal information, with more than 8,000 applications sent and of whom 350 candidates were selected to advance to the interview round. The candidates then performed and answered questions from the judges on the interview round, where 120 candidates were chosen to proceed to the final round. They then had their own talent performance for the training and selection round, where the judges would proceed to select the final members to officially join the group. The label then announced the 29 official members for the first generation of SGO48 on November 17, 2018, followed by their first live performance with AKB48's Team 8 a day after in Vietnam's capital Hanoi as part of the "Kizuna Ekiden 2018" event.
Following the withdrawal of BunnyV on December 13, SGO48 officially debuted on December 22, 2018, through their Dream Performance concert at Crescent Mall, where the group performed a total of four Vietnamese-adapted AKB48 songs, including “Shonichi”, “Aitakatta”, “Shoujotachi Yo”, and “SGO48”. Over 1,500 fans attended the concert, exceeding expectations for the newly formed idol group. Shortly after, the group then had their first international performance at the 2019 Asia Festival, presented by SHANDA GAMES, in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 27, 2019.
2019–2020: line-up changes, first releases and Senbatsu Battle With member Yuumi graduating May 31, 2019, YAG Entertainment announced that SGO48 would release their first single on July 17, 2019, revealing the title to be “Heavy Rotation”. The accompanying music video was later premiered through their official YouTube channel on August 1, 2019, followed by several appearances on their native television programs and events to perform the song live, as well as the group's first reality program Pinker School. On August 19, member Kaycee was announced as the group's first captain at their Hanoi meeting. The group then joined their sister groups at the AKB48 Group Asia Festival in Shanghai on August 24, 2019, where they co-performed “Heavy Rotation”, “Namida Surprise!”, “Kokoro No Placard” in Japanese, “Ponytail to Shushu”, and “365 Nichi no Kamihikouki”. SGO48 then announced their second single to be "Koisuru Fortune Cookie" on December 7, 2019, at the group's Koisuru Xmas Party mini show, where their native label announced the upcoming plan to recruit the second generation for the group. An accompanying music video for the song was premiered during the event, and later released on December 12, 2019. Member Anna then attended the 70th Kōhaku Uta Gassen on December 31, 2019, becoming the first Vietnamese idol member to join the other 48 sister groups for performance.
Following the dismissal of member Sachi on May 24, 2020, as well as the graduation of member Elena and Celia two days later, YAG Ent. announced the premiere of Senbatsu Battle, the group's second reality program on June 8, 2020, focusing on the members' practice process to select the final sixteen members - known as the regular senbatsu line-up for their upcoming third single.
On 22 August 2020, Captain Kaycee told on Kenh14 that there would be an MV featuring 23 members. This is the first time for the first generation to appear fully as a way to thank fans for supporting them since debut. YAG later teased a poster for their MV, Shonichi (Ngày Đầu Tiên - The first day), which is a B-side from the first single, "Heavy Rotation". On 18 September 2020, the MV is released on SGO48's YouTube Channel.
2021: original song and disbandment On April 4, 2021, YAG Entertainment, at the handshake event of single RIVER , announced the 7 members with the highest number of tickets: Anh Sang (750 tickets), Hikari (648 tickets), Mochi (641 tickets), Le Trang (536 tickets), Janie (507 tickets), Ashley (486 tickets) and Trung Duong (468 tickets), and these members will join the group's first original song, which will be released in May. YAG Entertainment also announced their next single to be released in August. The Senbatsu will comprise 7 members who have the largest number of pre-order singles, including first and second generation members. On December 5, 2021, it was announced they will disband after their 3rd anniversary on December 22, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members Final roster Originally debuting with 29 first-generation members on December 22, 2018, the group had a 20-member roster as of April 11, 2021, captained by Kaycee since August 19, 2019.
Stage name Birth name Date of birth (age) Place of birth Ánh Sáng Nguyễn Lê Ngọc Ánh Sáng Ho Chi Minh City Anna Trần Cát Tường Bình Dương Ashley Trần Lý Minh Thư Ho Chi Minh City DONA Nguyễn Thị Nhi Đắk Lắk Hikari Châu Ngọc Đoan Thảo Ho Chi Minh City Janie Nguyễn Trương Tường Vy Ho Chi Minh City Kaycee Võ Phan Kim Khánh Vĩnh Long Lệ Trang Nguyễn Thị Lệ Bắc Ninh Linh Mai Vương Mai Linh Nghệ An Mẫn Nghi Lê Mẫn Nghi An Giang Mochi Nguyễn Thanh Hoàng My Lâm Đồng Mon Huỳnh Ngô Kim Châu Ho Chi Minh City Nini Ngô Thị Cẩm Nhi Hậu Giang Sunny Lê Sunny Ho Chi Minh City Tammy Nguyễn Thị Minh Thư Đồng Nai Thu Nga Lê Thị Thu Nga Ho Chi Minh City Tiên Linh Lê Phạm Thủy Tiên Bình Thuận Trúc Phạm Phạm Lâm Ánh Trúc Ho Chi Minh City Trùng Dương Nguyễn Hồ Trùng Dương Bình Dương Xuân Ca Võ Ngọc Xuân Ca Bình Thuận
Former members Stage name Birth name Date of birth (age) Place of birth Graduation dateNote BunnyV Trần Nguyễn Phương Vy Ho Chi Minh City Dec 18, 2018 Withdrew for personal reasons. Yuumi Yuumi Koseki () Japan May 31, 2019 Graduated to continue her studies in Japan. Gia Nghi Thái Gia Nghi Ho Chi Minh City Dec 7, 2019 Graduated to focus on studies. Sachi Nguyễn Quế Minh Hân Ho Chi Minh City May 26, 2020 Removed from the group due to secret dating.ElenaNguyễn Lê Thùy NgọcĐồng NaiMay 28, 2020 Graduated due to health reasons.CeliaNguyễn Thị Thúy NgaHo Chi Minh CityGraduated to focus on studies. Như Thảo Lê Nguyễn Như Thảo Cần ThơApril 11, 2021Graduated for personal reasons. Minxy Đặng Thị Huỳnh Như Tây Ninh Phụng Nhi Lê Nguyễn Phụng Nhi Long An
Discography Singles Year Name Date of release 2019 Heavy Rotation August 25, 2019Koisuru Fortune Cookie - Thất Tình Tích CựcDecember 12, 20192020RIVERDecember 20, 2020
Music videos Year Title Director 2019 Heavy Rotation Kim Sin Wook Koisuru Fortune Cookie (Thất Tình Tích Cực) Vo Thanh Hoa, Do Vu 2020 Shonichi (Ngày Đầu Tiên) To Buu Phat RIVERKhuong Vu
Filmography TV shows YearNameChannelNo. of episodesMembersDateNote 2018Giọng ải giọng ai (Hidden Singer Vietnam)HTV71 (E14)Tiên LinhFebruary 3Contestant2019Bí mật chuyện sao (Star Secret)HTV91Ánh Sáng, Kaycee, Linh Mai, Lệ Trang, Sachi, Tiên LinhJanuary 21–2IDOLYeah1TV2AllMarch 26–27–Siêu bất ngờHTV71April 21S4 E24Bữa trưa vui vẻ (Happy Lunch)VTV6Lệ Trang, Minxy, Sachi, Thu Nga, Trùng DươngAugust 10–Đại tiệc FAAnna, Dona, Hikari, Janie, Kaycee, Lệ Trang, Linh Mai, Mon, Minxy, Sachi, Sunny, Thu Nga, Tiên Linh, Trúc Phạm, Trùng Dương, Xuân CaAugust 11GuestMột trăm triệu một phút (Million Dollar Minute Vietnam)VTV3Ánh Sáng, Kaycee, Thu NgaDecember 22Contestants
Films YearNameChannelPlatformMembersNote2018Tình đầu đại caDIEN QUAN FilmYouTubeTiên LinhBefore joining SGO482019LaLa School S4: Trại hè âm nhạc (Music Summer Camp)LA LA SchoolYouTubeLinh Mai, Trùng Dương, Thu Nga, Anna, Ánh Sáng, Mochi, Lệ Trang -
Reality shows YearNameChannelNo. of episodesMembersNote2019Pinker SchoolYeah1 TV – VTVCab 17 UM Channel – VTVCab 158E1: Ánh Sáng, Anna, Ashley, Celia, Hikari, Janie, Kaycee, Lệ Trang, Linh Mai, Mochi, Mon, Như Thảo, Sachi, Sunny, Thu Nga, Tiên Linh, Trúc Phạm, Trùng Dương, Xuân Ca E2: Ánh Sáng, Anna, Dona, Gia Nghi, Hikari, Janie, Kaycee, Lệ Trang, Linh Mai, Mochi, Sachi, Sunny, Tammy, Thu Nga, Tiên Linh, Trùng Dương
- E3:
Team A: Gia Nghi, Janie, Linh Mai, Tien Linh
Team B: Anh Sang, Anna, Hikari, Sunny
Team C: Dona, Le Trang, Thu Nga and Trung Duong
Team D: Kaycee, Mochi, Sachi, Tammy
- E4:
Team 1: Man Nghi, Tammy, Tien Linh and Trung Duong
Team 2: Ashley, Hikari, Le Trang and Sunny
Team 3: Linh Mai, Mochi, Sachi, Thu Nga
Team 4: Anh Sang, Anna, Janie, Truc Pham
Team 5: Dona, Gia Nghi, Ni Ni
Team 6: Elena, Minxy, Phung Nhi
- E5: Anh Sang, Anna, Ashley, Celia, Dona, Gia Nghi, Hikari, Janie, Kaycee, Le Trang, Linh Mai, Mochi, Mon, Minxy, Nhu Thao, Sachi, Sunny, Tammy, Thu Nga, Tien Linh, Trúc Phạm, Trùng Dương, Xuân Ca
- E6: Ashley, Celia, Dona, Elena, Gia Nghi, Hikari, Le Trang, Minxy, Mon, Nhu Thao, Ni Ni, Phung Nhi, Sunny, Truc Pham, Trung Duong, Xuan Ca
- E7:
Team 1: Kaycee (Team Leader), Hikari, Minxy, Tien Linh
Team 2: Sachi (Team Leader), Ashley, Mochi, Thu Nga
Team 3: Anna (Team Leader), Tien Linh, Trung Duong, Truc Pham, Sunny
Team 4: Anh Sang (Team Leader), Janie, Le Trang, Linh Mai, Xuan Ca
- E8:
Team 1: Anh Sang, Janie, Sachi, Xuan Ca
Team 2: Anna, Ashley, Mochi, Trung Duong
Team 3: Hikari, Minxy, Thu Nga, Truc Pham, Sunny
Team 4: Kaycee, Le Trang, Linh Mai and Tien Linh–2020Senbatsu BattleYeah1 TV – VTVCab 17 SGO48 YouTube9E1: Ánh Sáng, Anna, Ashley, Dona, Hikari, Janie, Kaycee, Lệ Trang, Linh Mai, Mẫn Nghi, Minxy, Mochi, Mon, Như Thảo, Nini, Phụng Nhi E2: Sachi, Sunny, Tammy, Thu Nga, Trúc Phạm, Trùng Dương, Tiên Linh, Xuân Ca
E3:
Team A: Xuân Ca(Leader), DONA, Linh Mai, Mẫn Nghi, Như Thảo, Sunny Team Baby Queen: Sachi (Leader), Ánh Sáng, Hikari, Mon, Thu Nga, Trùng Dương Team Eyeliner: Minxy(Leader), Ashley, Janie, Kaycee, Tammy, Trúc Phạm Team Mỡ: Anna(Leader), Lệ Trang, Mochi, Ni Ni, Phụng Nhi, Tiên Linh E4:
Team A: Xuân Ca(Leader), DONA, Linh Mai, Mẫn Nghi, Như Thảo, Sunny Team Baby Queen: Trùng Dương(Leader), Ánh Sáng, Hikari, Mon, Thu Nga Team Eyeliner: Minxy(Leader), Ashley, Janie, Kaycee, Tammy, Trúc Phạm Team Mỡ: Anna(Leader), Lệ Trang, Mochi, Ni Ni, Phụng Nhi, Tiên Linh E5:
Team A: Xuân Ca(Leader), Dona, Linh Mai, Mẫn Nghi, Như Thảo, Sunny Team Baby Queen: Trùng Dương(Leader), Ánh Sáng, Hikari, Mon, Thu Nga Team Eyeliner: Minxy(Leader), Ashley, Janie, Kaycee, Tammy, Trúc Phạm Team Mỡ: Anna(Leader), Lệ Trang, Mochi, Ni Ni, Tiên Linh Guest: Phụng Nhi E6:
Team A: Xuân Ca(Leader), Dona, Linh Mai, Mẫn Nghi, Như Thảo, Sunny Team Baby Queen: Trùng Dương(Leader), Ánh Sáng, Hikari, Mon, Thu Nga Team Eyeliner: Minxy(Leader), Ashley, Janie, Kaycee, Tammy, Trúc Phạm Team Mỡ: Anna(Leader), Lệ Trang, Mochi, Ni Ni, Phụng Nhi, Tiên Linh E7: All members E8: Team A: Xuân Ca(Leader), DONA, Linh Mai, Mẫn Nghi, Sunny Team Baby Queen: Trùng Dương(Leader), Ánh Sáng, Hikari, Mon, Thu Nga Team Eyeliner: Minxy(Leader), Ashley, Janie, Kaycee, Tammy, Trúc Phạm Team Mỡ: Anna(Leader), Lệ Trang, Mochi, Ni Ni, Tiên Linh Guest: Như Thảo E9+E10: