[5] Zhou participated in Mnet's survival television show, Produce 101, which aired from January 22 to April 1, 2016.

Five of the participants from Pledis Entertainment were eliminated and only Zhou and Lim Na-young became part of the final line-up for the girl group I.O.I.

They debuted on May 28, 2018, with the single album, Like a V.[10] Zhou released a soundtrack for the television show I Got You, titled "Leave It to Brother".

[11] On August 31, Pledis Entertainment confirmed that Zhou would be making her solo debut in China with digital single, "Why", on September 6.

[14] In October, it was confirmed that Zhou would make her acting debut in the historical mystery drama Miss Truth.

[20] On May 4, 2021, Zhou and the members of I.O.I celebrated their 5th debut anniversary with a reunion live stream show called "Yes, I Love It!".