Where Is TAKI Now? Status of Idol Trainee Who Almost Debuted In ENHYPEN

After not making it into ENHYPEN, whatever happened to TA-KI, one of the most loved participants of Mnet's "I-LAND"?

TAKI in 2020 to 2021: I-LAND, HYBE Labels Japan's Global Debut Project

Riki, mononymously known as TAKI made his name familiar in the K-pop scene after joining Mnet's survival audition program, " I-LAND." The show was created in collaboration with Big Hit Entertainment (hereinafter HYBE) and CJ ENM through Belift Lab. The show aims to find seven idol aspirants who will debut to connect, discover and grow together.

In the show then, TAKI made an impressive first impression by performing EXO's "Monster" in the first episode. Although he went back and forth between the "I-LAND" and "GROUND" groups in the succeeding episodes, the young participant was able to make it into part 2 of the competition.

Even with just 10 months of training with no initial experience, TAKI was loved for his strong potential to debut as an idol. If he succeeded in making it into the final TOP7, TAKI will be able to debut and join the K-pop group ENHYPEN.

Unfortunately, this wasn't enough for him to secure his spot to continue in the final round and was eliminated after ranking No. 11 in the 8th episode.

His fans were saddened by the results, but TAKI's supporters' broken hearts were once again healed after it was announced that he would be joining HYBE Labels Japan's Global Debut Project boy group, tentatively known as &TEAM.

Where Is TAKI in 2022? Idol Trainee To Finally Debut in December

After a year with little news about his debut, HYBE Labels Japan formally announced TAKI as a participant in "&AUDITION- THE HOWLING" in June this year. The show aired from July to September introducing 15 contestants.

After competing for about two months, the debuting TOP9 lineup was finally unveiled, and TAKI is one of them.

&TEAM will officially debut this December comprising nine members: K, Fuma, Nicholas, EJ, Yuma, Jo, Harua, Taki and Maki.

&TEAM will be a Japanese-based global idol group that will release its debut album "First Howling: ME" on December 7. The group's name contains the will of nine people with different personalities to become a team and connect various worlds.

Taki is particularly attracting attention for his excellent dance skills regardless of genres such as rocking (uprock) and hip-hop.

On November 11, &TEAM showed superior visuals and concept after releasing teaser photos which are all best in quality. They also raised its quantity by releasing 49 photos and 10 videos at once.

Fans around the world expressed great satisfaction with the rich content from the soon-to-debut group while expressing their expectations for &TEAM's next content.

&TEAM will release its second concept photos, videos, and album covers in the following days to target global fans.