Did you know that these seven Japanese trainees have already debuted before? Here are the J-Group contestants who are competing for a second shot of debuting on Mnet's Girls Planet 999!
1. Kawaguchi Yurina
Kawaguchi Yurina debuted in X21 in April 2016. The group was made up of 21 finalists of the Japan Bishoujo Contest. X21 disbanded on November 30, 2019.
ALSO READ: 'Girls Planet 999' Announces Finale Date: Who's Your Personal 'Top 9' Pick?
2. Nonaka Shana
Before joining MLD Entertainment, Nonoka Shana was a member of SO.ON Project's Fukuoka Team.
ALSO READ: Eliminated 'Girls Planet 999' Contestant Liang Qiao Reveals the Show's Grueling Living and Filming Conditions
3. Kishida Ririka
Kishida Ririka was a member of Orange Latte, a J-pop girl group under JSL Japan, with the stage name Riri. While there has been no mention of disbandment, all the group's social media accounts have been deactivated. Ririka was also a potential member of NiziU, but she did not make the cut.
ALSO READ: These are the 'Girls Planet 999' C-Group Contestants That Have Already Debuted
4. May
May debuted as a member of the K-pop girl group Cherry Bullet on January 21, 2019. She is the group's lead dancer, vocalist, visual, and maknae.
ALSO READ: These are the 'Girls Planet 999' K-Group Contestants That Have Already Debuted
5. Kubo Reina
Kubo Reina debuted as a member of Prizmmy☆ in 2012 and was previously a member of the pre-debut trainee group Prism Mates in 2011. She debuted as the leader of the group after competing in Pretty Rhythm Studio. After promoting for five years, Prizmmy☆ disbanded on March 31, 2017.
ALSO READ: These are the 5 Eliminated Contestants from 'Girls Planet 999' Episode 8 Viewers Were Sad to Go
6. Hayase Hana
Hayase Hana was a member of Orange Latter alongside Kishida Ririka. She was the group's leader. As mentioned previously, all of their social media accounts were deleted in February 2022, and it is assumed the group silently disbanded.
ALSO READ: 'Girls Planet 999' Draws Flack after Only Two Koreans Make Top 9 in Recent Episode
7. Okazaki Momoko
Okazaki Momoko debuted in Sakura Gakuin in 2015 during the Nendo ~Transfer Ceremony~. In 2017, she was appointed as the first Ganbare! Chariman. She graduated from Sakura Gakuin on March 24, 2018. In 2019, she debuted as a support dancer for BABYMETAL with the stage name MOMOMETAL.
ALSO READ: 'Girls Planet 999' Cai Bing Embroiled in Attitude Controversy: Is it Due to Mistranslation or Her Strong Desire to Win?
8. Nagai Minami
While Nagai Minami did not formally debut in an idol group, she was part of a drum band! She was a drummer for the band Nowadaiko, starting at the age of six and working with them for over 12 years until she left in 2021 to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. The drum band was formed by her father, Nagai Hiromichi, who trained Minami to perform traditional Japanese wadaiko drums.
ALSO READ: Exciting DC Releases Top 9 'Girls Planet 999' Participants People Want to Rank No. 1
For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz.
KpopStarz owns This
Written by Alexa Lewis
