THIS idol trainee, who is currently competing in the Japanese spin-off of "Produce 101," drew attention as she revealed that she was actually going to debut with NewJeans, but eventually failed.
Ex-'Girls Planet 999' Trainee Sakurai Miu Reveals She's Original NewJeans Pre-Debut Member
Ahead of the premiere episode of "Produce 101 Japan The Girls" on October 5, a teaser video was posted on its official YouTube channel, featuring the 101 trainees and the highlights that viewers should anticipate.
The Japanese spin-off of CJ ENM x Mnet's popular reality audition show is now on its third season and will embark on a journey to find 11 talented trainees who will work in a new girl group.
Unlike the Korean version where the members only work for a maximum of three years, this will be a permanent Japanese idol group.
In the video, it hinted at the show's main theme song performed by 101 participants and also showed them entering the venue while introducing themselves.
Just then, a familiar face caught the attention of viewers, especially K-pop fans, and it is none other than Sakurai Miu.
When she entered the audition proper, a voice-over was added and she surprised viewers after confessing:
"I was originally in NewJeans' debut group. We practiced together."
Who Is Sakurai Miu? Trainee's Visuals, Background Draw Attention
When this information spread online, she immediately became a hot topic among netizens and fans.
After revealing that she was supposed to debut in NewJeans, fans wondered why she wasn't able to debut in the group.
Looking at her visuals, people praised her beauty and thought that she would be a perfect fit for the team. NewJeans is a girl group known for not having a visual hole, and it wouldn't have been a problem since Miu has a stunning face.
In a new episode of PRODUCE101 JAPAN, Sakurai Miu (who was also on Girls Planet 999 & Nizi Project) revealed that she was originally a debut member of NewJeans and practiced with the members
— nugu promoter (@nugupromoter) September 27, 2023
pic.twitter.com/zGCxeB7SUT
In fact, when she joined other audition survival programs other than Produce 101 Japan, such as Mnet's "Girls Planet 999," Sakurai Miu was selected as one of the most beautiful trainees among Japanese contestants.
When it comes to skills and talent, fans are also sure she would have rocked being a NewJeans member, considering her performance in previous audition programs she initially participated in, such as JYP Entertainment's "NiZi Project" and Mnet's "Girls Planet 999."
During her time in both shows, she was praised for her sweet vocals, and even J.Y. Park, the founder of JYP, praised her for showing huge improvement when it comes to singing.
this is Sakurai Miu, she is a contestant in produce 101 japan, she appeared in nizi project and girls planet, and also trained at hybe and almost debuted with NewJeans, please vote for her🥹#櫻井美羽 #SAKURAIMIU #PRODUCE101JPTHEGIRLS
— ricardo (@qnereeler) September 27, 2023
pic.twitter.com/gj4bj9OqW0
She's also still young, as she was only 20 years old when NewJeans debuted.
Fans are now curious if it would be revealed in the show the real reason her supposed debut with the current largest fourth-gen girl group didn't take off.
READ MORE: Former Trainees of SM and JYP Rumored To Debut in Big Hit x Source Music's New Girl Group
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Written by Eunice Dawson.
