&Audition – The Howling

Japanese reality television show &Audition – The Howling.jpg Official poster "The Final Countdown" South KoreaJapan JapaneseKorean 1 8 60 minutes (Youtube, Hulu)30 minutes (Nippon TV) Hulu JapanHybe Labels Japan Hulu Japan and Nippon TV (Japan)YouTube (all other regions) 2022 7 9 2022 9 3 I-Land &Audition – The Howling – is a Japanese and South Korean reality competition program that follows the formation and debut of the first boy group under Hybe Labels Japan.HYBE Labels Japan to begin boy band project show '&Audition - The Howling-' on July 9 Korea JoongAng Daily https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/06/03/entertainment/kpop/korea-HYBE-Labels-Japan-Audition--The-Howling/20220603122306662.html In the live finale on September 3, 2022, the nine members of &TEAM were revealed.「&AUDITION」デビューグループ名は「&TEAM（エンティーム）」 - モデルプレス https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3335905 2022-09-03 モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース 3 September 2022 ja They debuted on December 7, 2022. Program synopsis &Audition – The Howling – A 60-minute, uncut version of the show where 15 trainees move forward together towards their dreams; a documentary-style program where various performances and stories unfold as they aim for debut. Hulu Japan (Japan), Hybe Labels YouTube (Global): every Saturday at 1:30PM JST starting on July 9, 2022 (Episodes 1–7)https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/0fe2ec783f564d9082bd304cbe0aaa38b3f0e670 HYBE「&AUDITION」は"協力型"オーディション、「15人がワンチームで成長する姿に注目して」 July 4, 2022 July 9, 2022 ja July 31, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220731023332/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/0fe2ec783f564d9082bd304cbe0aaa38b3f0e670 dead &Audition – The Howling – Final Round Hybe Labels YouTube (Global), Hulu Japan (Japan): 4PM JST live broadcast from Tokyo on September 3, 2022 (Episode 8);HYBE LABELS JAPANのオーディション番組「&AUDITION - The Howling -」ファイナルラウンドが9月3日に生放送決定 https://news.kstyle.com/article.ksn?articleNo=2199671 21 August 2022 Kstyle 20 August 2022 Frater Patrick 20 August 2022 Scooter Braun Joins Japanese Talent Show '&Audition – The Howling' Variety en-US https://variety.com/2022/music/news/scooter-braun-japanese-audition-1235346493/ https://web.archive.org/web/20220820152657/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/scooter-braun-japanese-audition-1235346493/ 20 August 2022 live two-hour special Nippon TV (Japan): 4-5PM JST; one-hour special &Audition – Live – A shorter 30-minute version of the show, serving as support to the main broadcast, where MCs and an audience watch together with viewers.『&AUDITION－The Howlingー』記者発表会ルポ！(3ページ目) https://more.hpplus.jp/odekake/entame/77896/3/ MORE Magazine 4 July 2022 Japan ja Nippon TV (Japan): 12:59AM every Thursday starting on July 14, 2022 Background On January 1, 2021, it was announced that Big Hit Japan would launch the "Big Hit Japan Global Debut Project" to search for artists to debut as a group in Japan and become active worldwide. Former I-Land contestants K, Nicholas, EJ and Taki were to take part as confirmed members of the group, joined by additional trainees determined through an audition program called "&Audition".Lee Gyu-lee 1 January 2021 Big Hit to launch boy band in Japan with audition show 'I-Land' contestants The Korea Times https://m.koreatimes.co.kr/pages/article.amp.asp?newsIdx=301817 1 January 2021 On March 19, Big Hit Entertainment re-branded and re-structured into Hybe Corporation,BTS Label Big Hit Entertainment Plans Name Change to HYBE Corporation Billboard https://www.billboard.com/pro/bts-label-big-hit-name-change-hybe-corporation/ whereby Hybe Labels Japan would now be involved in the program and group's debut.BTS's HYBE Has a New C-Suite, Including Scooter Braun Rolling Stone https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/hybe-new-ceo-big-hit-1191928/ On the same day, an official Twitter account under the name "&AUDITION Boys" was launched for the four confirmed group members.HYBE LABELS JAPAN、｢&AUDITION boys｣公式Twitter開設...ケイ・ニコラス・ウィジュ・タキの近況公開 https://s.wowkorea.jp/news/read/321716/ wow!korea 5 November 2021 ja On April 26, 2021, K and EJ made a cameo in the music video for Enhypen's "Drunk-Dazed".ENHYPEN's 'Drunk-Dazed': Fans spot I-LAND contestants K and EJ in MV https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/enhypen-s-drunk-dazed-fans-spot-i-land-contestants-k-ej-mv-will-hybe-artists-debut On November 4, Hybe Labels Japan shared that the &Audition program would begin airing in 2022.Hybe says 'boundless' is its future, shares plans for more diversified portfolio The Korea Herald https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20211104000845 On January 18, 2022, Hybe Labels Japan announced the opening of YouTube channel "&Audition Boys",I-LAND出身K・TAKIら「&AUDITION boys」初の動画コンテンツ始動 オーディション番組が今年日本で放送予定 Japanese Modelpress Lifestyle Fashion Entertainment News モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース Japan https://mdpr.jp/music/detail/2981414 and various videos and vlogs were uploaded. On March 9, the program was revealed to be titled &Audition – The Howling, and broadcast would start in July 2022 as the first phase of the Global Debut Project.Boy band audition show by HYBE Labels Japan to air from July Korea JoongAng Daily https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/03/09/entertainment/kpop/audition-japanese-audition-kpop-boy-band/20220309110721826.html On May 30, the program's official website and social media accounts were opened, as well as the details of its broadcast date.HYBE JAPAN初オーディション番組「&AUDITION - The Howling -」公式SNS開設 - モデルプレス https://mdpr.jp/k-enta/detail/3178142 Model Press Japan モデルプレス 9 March 2022 ja On June 4, themed profile photos of the 15 participating trainees were revealed.Trainees for the '&AUDITION – The Howling' HYBE Japan global debut project revealed Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/06/trainees-for-the-audition-the-howling-hybe-japan-global-debut-project-revealed/HYBE LABELS JAPANのオーディション番組「&AUDITION - The Howling -」デビュー組4人と練習生11人の全15人をついに公開！ https://news.kstyle.com/article.ksn?articleNo=2194398 K Style News 5 June 2022 Japanese The signal song for the program, "The Final Countdown", and its music video were released on June 28.2022-06-27 &AUDITION drops signal song, 'The Final Countdown' ahead of their long-awaited show premiere — watch https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/audition-drops-teaser-of-the-highly-anticipated-show-s-signal-song-the-final-countdown--i-land-hybe-labels-japan-global-audition-programme-project-music-video-june-2022 Bandwagon Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. en Producers Special Advisor Bang Si-hyuk Mentors Pdogg Son Sung-deuk Performance Director Sakura Inoue Producer and Sound Director Soma Genda Special Producers Ryosuke Imai Scooter Braun Zico Producer information from the official &Audition website. Special guests Enhypen (Episodes 1 and 8) Tomorrow X Together (Episode 6)Billboard Staff 2022-08-12 BTS & TOMORROW X TOGETHER to Advise Contestants on '&Audition – The Howling' https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bts-tomorrow-x-together-audition-the-howling-episode-1235126406/ 2022-08-21 Billboard en-US Seventeen (Video message; Episodes 3 and 4) BTS (Video message; Episode 6) RM (Episode 8) Contestants Color key: #28F2FF silver Final members of &TEAM#90C0FF silver Eliminated in the final episode 15 contestants K (ケイ) Nicholas (ニコラス) EJ (ウィジュ) Taki (タキ) Jo (ジョウ) Harua (ハルア) Maki (マキ) Yuma (ユウマ) Fuma (フウマ) Gaku (ガク) Hikaru (ヒカル) Junwon (ジュンウォン) Hayate (ハヤテ) Yejun (イェジュン) Minhyung (ミニョン) Profile A total of 15 trainees participated in the show—four confirmed members, who were previously contestants on the South Korean boy group survival reality show I-Land, and 11 new trainees. Trainees for the '&AUDITION - The Howling' HYBE Japan global debut project revealed https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/06/trainees-for-the-audition-the-howling-hybe-japan-global-debut-project-revealed/ Manila Bulletin en-US +NameJapaneseNationalityPrefecture / CityDate of birthAge Before &Audition Debut TraineesKケイJapanTokyo21 October 1997 24 Former marathon athlete and I-Land contestant; trained at EXPG TokyoNicholasニコラスTaiwanTaipei9 July 200219B-boy and former I-Land contestantEJウィジュSouth KoreaGoyang7 September 200219Former Big Hit Music trainee, fencing athlete and I-Land contestantTakiタキJapanKanagawa4 May 200517Background in locking, former I-Land contestantTraineesFumaフウマJapanShizuoka29 June 199823Dancer, backup dancer, former n.cH trainee until 2019, Produce 101 Japan season 2 contestant (withdrew before program aired in early 2021)HayateハヤテJapanHyogo25 January 200121Appeared on JTBC's Stage K in 2019; ModelPress Mr High School Boy contestant in 2017JunwonジュンウォンSouth KoreaJeonju21 April 200319Former Big Hit Music, iMe Korea and Biscuit Entertainment traineeYumaユウマJapanHyogo7 February 2004 18Former Johnny's trainee under Kansai Johnny's Jr from 2012; former Avex traineeGakuガクJapanNagano25 April 200418Dance and dance battle backgroundJoジョウJapanKanagawa8 July 2004 17Junon Superboy Contest 2020 finalist, dropped out before finals presumably to become a trainee; basketball playerHikaru (Haku)ヒカルJapanGunma28 March 200517Ballet background; 2020 Japan Seifuku School Uniform Award winner HaruaハルアJapanNagano1 May 200517Formerly signed to Stardust Promotion new talent divisionMakiマキJapan / GermanyTokyo17 February 200616Musical theatre background; previously part of a musical theatre companyMinhyungミニョンSouth KoreaSeoul27 January 200715Former Big Hit Music traineeYejunイェジュンSouth KoreaSeoul28 April 200715Former Big Hit Music trainee, child actor; appeared in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and Arthdal Chronicles Note: Profile information from the official &Audition website, and ages based on the international age system and date of release (June 2022). Concept Each round has a mission involving both an interim check and a performance. The trainees will be judged on vocal ability, performance and a special criteria that will change with each round. Based on evaluations of their performances, the trainees earn a certain number of &BALLs to fill the &RING. Only if they fill the &RING after four rounds can everyone advance to the final round; if they fail to fill the &RING, the planned group's debut may be cancelled.「&AUDITION」"デビュー白紙"の可能性も...コンセプトミッション開始でEJチームに厳しい評価、本番結果は？ - モデルプレス https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3257193 2022-08-11 モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース 16 July 2022 ja Episodes 1 Episode 1 2022 07 09 &Audition – The Howling is first introduced by Bang Si-hyuk as a project in which debut trainees K, Nicholas, EJ and Taki will be joined by newly selected members to debut as Hybe Labels Japan's first boy group. The show begins with the four meeting Enhypen and then the other 11 trainees. All are then presented with their first task, the "Signal Song Mission". The meanings of &BALL and &RING are revealed and the episode documents the trials and hardships the trainees face while practicing for their first performance as a group. 2 Episode 2 2022 07 16 The second mission is the "Concept Mission". The songs are revealed and the trainees are divided into different teams, each group being led by one debut trainee. EJ's team receives a disappointing feedback in the interim check; they also travel to Busan and go to a seiro-mushi restaurant before their performance to spend time off and discuss ways to improve. 3 Episode 3 2022 07 23 Team Nicholas re-charge at an ocean-side grilled eel restaurant while K's team visit a night market in Busan and try various street food. Team K meets a hurdle as a member is unable to participate and they must re-practice with new formations and positions days before the final performance. Nicholas' team show a powerful performance, while Taki's team challenge a performance involving modern dance. Seventeen makes an appearance to reveal the trainees' third mission. 4 Episode 4 2022 07 30 After the mission for Round 3 is revealed, the 15 trainees get together in their teams to practice. They must pick a leader and choose a team name. The groups work together through practice and interim checks while getting closer. Seventeen delivers a special mission to the trainees where there will be a "variety contest" to give them a chance to earn additional &BALLs. The trainees go outdoors to a lodge where they open up to each other and talk about what has been on their minds. They also receive surprise special messages from afar. 5 Episode 5 2022 08 06 Round 3 shows the trainee teams as they make their through an interim check at a special venue, rehearsals and a final performance, set on a stage that is larger than they anticipated. The trainees are tasked with completing the Seventeen Legendary Mission, covering three songs which they must also self-choreograph. In contrast to other rounds, the trainees learn that the number of &BALLs they receive will be announced live after each performance in the presence of the producers and other trainees. 6 Episode 6 2022 08 13 The trainees learn about their progress filling &RING and the mission for Round 4, the BTS mission. They look over the songs at their dorm, which is shown for the first time. Days later, a surprise mission is announced, and only the winning team will receive a benefit. Tomorrow X Together visits with advice for the winning team, and the trainees have a meal together. After the interim check, the trainees hear a shocking announcement about the &BALLs they will receive. On the day of performances, BTS sends a special message of support. 7 Episode 7 2022 08 20 Round 4 begins, and unlike previous missions, each team must prepare two performances; one focused on vocals, and the other on dance. If they cannot earn enough &BALLs in this round, the trainees will not be able advance to the final round. The trainees practice and receive interim evaluations before performing. They discover whether they can completely fill the &RING. At the end, they find out how many members will be in the final lineup. There is an announcement about how the debut group will be decided and the live broadcast details for the final episode. 8 Final Round 2022 09 03 The trainees perform two newly revealed songs for the final round, as well as "The Final Countdown" together for the last time. Producers, special producers and guests give encouragement and advice. The debut members are announced, and their group name is revealed by Bang Si-hyuk. Title Missions Round 1: Group signal song mission Episode 1 All trainees perform the theme song "The Final Countdown" together. The special criterion is teamwork. Minhyung was unable to participate. Round 2: Concept mission Episodes 2 and 3 K, EJ, Nicholas and Taki all become leaders to four teams and prepare performances with four different concepts. The special criterion is each team's chemistry. Junwon was unable to participate for health reasons. +EpisodeSongTeam LeaderTeam Members2TXT－"Blue Hour (Japanese ver.)"EJFuma, Harua, Yejun3Monsta X－"Hero (Japanese ver.)"NicholasGaku, HayateTVXQ－"Something (Japanese ver.)"KJo, MinhyungTaemin－"Sayonara Hitori"TakiMaki, Hikaru, Yuma Round 3: Seventeen legendary mission Episodes 4 and 5 The trainees split into three teams and perform songs by Seventeen. They are tasked with creating original choreography, interpreting the songs in their own styles, and contributing to the design of their stage outfits. The special criterion is creativity. +EpisodeSongGroup NameTeam LeaderTeam Members5"Call Call Call!"C RidersFumaNicholas, Junwon, Minhyung, Yejun"Home;Run (Japanese Ver.)"Full CountGakuEJ, Jo, Harua, Maki"Oh My! (Japanese Ver.)"Wang WangHayateK, Taki, Hikaru, Yuma Round 4: BTS mission Episodes 6 and 7 The trainees are divided into two teams. Each team is tasked with performing two BTS songs, one of which is a different arrangement to the original. The fourth round has two evaluations: one centered on vocals, and another solely on performance. +EpisodeVocal SongPerformance Song RemixTeamTrainees7"Film Out""Run"ANicholas, EJ, Harua, Hayate, Jo, Junwon, Yuma"Lights""Black Swan"BK, Taki, Fuma, Gaku, Hikaru, Maki, Minhyung, Yejun Final round Episode 8 Junwon performed "Running with the Pack" while seated due to injury. +EpisodeOriginal SongDebut TraineesTrainees8"Melody"K, Nicholas, EJ, TakiGaku, Yejun, Harua, Hayate, Hikaru"Running with the Pack"Fuma, Jo, Junwon, Maki, Minhyung, Yuma Final results K, Nicholas, EJ and Taki's debut was officially confirmed after Round 4. The remaining five members were decided by a combination of criteria: producer evaluation (40%), special producer evaluation (30%), preliminary global voting (20%), and final live voting (10%). Result The finale was broadcast live on September 3, 2022, from Tokyo. Bang Si-hyuk announced the name of the newly formed boy group to be &Team. Episode 8#NameNationalityN/AK N/ANicholasN/AEJN/ATaki1Jo2Harua3Maki / 4Yuma5Fuma Discography Singles Title Year Peak positionsAlbumJPN "The Final Countdown" 2022 — rowspan="3" Non-album single "Melody" — "Running with the Pack" — Aftermath &TEAM officially debuted on December 7, 2022, with the extended play First Howling: Me.2022-12-02 HYBE's first Japanese boy band &Team to hold debut showcase in Tokyo on Dec. 8 https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2022/12/02/entertainment/kpop/korea-team-hybe/20221202164431910.html 2022-12-13 Korea JoongAng Daily en On November 21, 2022, &Team released their debut song, "Under the Skin" and released their debut extended play on December 7, 2022. Other contestants background:#D8D8D8; Some trainees participated in other survival shows: Yoo Jun-won participated in MBC's Fantasy Boys ranked 1st at the finals, and was expected to debut as a member of Fantasy Boys in late 2023 under PocketDol Studio. However, he left the debut lineup on August 23, 2023, following several disagreements Junwon and his parents had with PocketDol Studio regarding his contract. Hikaru & Gaku participated in Oen-High (HYBE Japan Survival Show) as contestants with 9 other members. Hikaru ranked 5 as a fixed member, making him a debut member of aoen, and Gaku ended up making the final lineup ranking 6.HYBE発・新J-POPグループ「aoen（アオエン）」メンバー7人が確定「&AUDITION」出身・GAKUが悲願のデビュー【プロフィール一覧／応援-HIGH】 https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4550142 モデルプレス Netnative 8 December 2025 japanese 2025-04-23HYBE新グループaoenメンバー、デビュー日に改名発表 ハク（HAKU）が輝（HIKARU）に活動名変更 https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4585148 モデルプレス Netnative 8 December 2025 2025-06-11 Some trainees debuted in new groups: Hayate debuted in YK Entertainment under their boy group called Wild Blue. Hikaru & Gaku debuted in JCONIC to their boy group aoen making them &Team's little brothers. Junwon is set to debut in CONTI Inc’s boy group X_ON. Some trainees opened social media accounts: Yu Junwon reactivated his Instagram account. References External links &AUDITION - The Howling - Official Website Hybe Labels Japan Official Website HYBE LABELS+ Official Youtube Channel Category:Hybe Category:Japanese music television series Category:Reality competition television series Category:Hulu Japan original programming Category:South Korean reality competition television series