Big Hit Entertainment will be debuting a new boy group, with some of the members known for being previous contestants from "I-LAND."
On Jan. 1, it was announced that Big Hit Japan, a Japanese subsidiary of Big Hit Entertainment, is launching a project called "Big Hit Japan Global Debut Project" to produce artists who will kick off their journey in the entertainment industry of Japan before going on to take over the global stage.
Previously-eliminated contestants of "I-LAND," K, Nicholas, EJ, Ta-Ki, and Kyungmin, will be part of the upcoming boy group. These five members were revealed through a video released by the company's official YouTube channel, Big Hit Labels. In the video, boys introduced themselves one by one and asked viewers to look forward to their nearing debut.
For those who don't know, "I-LAND" is a South Korean survival reality show that was organized by Belift Lab, a record label jointly established by Big Hit Entertainment and CJ E&M. The program aired from June to September last year and featured a total of 23 competitors. The winning trainees debuted as the boy group, ENHYPEN - these boys are Lee Heeseung, Yang Jungwon, Park Sunghoon, Kim Sunoo, Ni-Ki, Jay, and Jake.
In the caption of the video, it has been further unveiled that Big Hit's new boy group will not only consist of the five former "I-LAND" participants. The company will launch an audition called "&AUDITION," which will be specially held to look for the additional members. It has already kicked off on Jan. 1 and will conclude on Jan. 17. Males born in 1998 through 2009 can participate in the audition. The final number of members is not yet announced, and the boy band is set to make its debut sometime this year.
The "Big Hit Japan Global Debut Project" will have a group of mentors that includes Big Hit Entertainment's chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Bang Si Hyuk, producer Pdogg, and performance director Son Sung Deok, together with producer and sound director Soma Genda and performance director Sakura Inoue. In addition, composer and producer Ryosuke Imai and producer UTA will take part in the project as special advisors.
The new boy group is the very first act to be formed and to debut under Big Hit Japan. They will be the second rookie band to be launched by a subsidiary of Big Hit Entertainment, following ENHYPEN that made its debut under Belift Lab in November last year with the extended play titled "Border: Day One."
So far, in the five members of Big Hit's upcoming boy band, the oldest member is K, being born in October 1997 and the youngest is Ta-Ki, being in May 2005. The other two members were born in 2002, while the other one in 2004.
For those who wish to participate in the audition, details can be found on Big Hit Japan's official website and social media. Are you excited for Big Hit's new boy group?
For the meantime, watch the message from the five members below!
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Written by Mhaliya Scott
