In the competitive world of K-pop survival shows, success is often elusive, and setbacks can be disheartening. Japanese rapper Keita's story is a testament to resilience and determination, culminating in a well-deserved victory on January 31, 2024.
From YG Treasure Box to CIIPHER: A Rocky Start
Keita first entered the spotlight as a participant in YG Treasure Box, the survival show that shaped the group TREASURE.
However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he was eliminated in the second-to-last episode on January 11, 2019.
Undeterred, Keita left YG Entertainment, joining Rain's company and debuting with CIIPHER on March 15, 2021.
Despite their talent, CIIPHER faced challenges, failing to secure music show wins and achieving modest album sales. The group's highest album sales reached just 24,264 with "Blind," prompting Keita to seek a new opportunity.
Boys Planet: A Chance at Redemption
Undeterred by past setbacks, Keita participated in the Mnet survival program Boys Planet, even though he was one of the few contestants with prior debuts.
Throughout the show, he consistently garnered support, only to narrowly miss his debut in ZEROBASEONE by three spots.
EVNNE's Debut and Redemption
Keita's persistence paid off when he was announced as a member of EVNNE, a group formed with contestants from Boys Planet. Their debut on September 19, 2023, with "TROUBLE," marked a fresh start for Keita and his fellow members.
Breaking the Losing Streak: EVNNE's First Music Show Win
On January 31, 2024, EVNNE achieved a significant milestone by winning their first-ever music show award with the track "UGLY."
ENNVE congratulations, we did it π₯Ήπ
— EVNNE GLOBAL FANBASE (@GlobalEVNNE) January 31, 2024
Our EVNNE won 1st place on Show Champion today, rewarding both EVNNE & ENNVE for their hard work π#EVNNE1stWin #UGLY1stWin
Thank you again for your participation on the pre-voteπ#EVNNE #μ΄λΈ #UGLY pic.twitter.com/kycVLcNTJZ
The victory on Show Champion was a momentous occasion for Keita and the entire group, ending a streak of disappointments and reaffirming their talent and perseverance.
Fans Celebrate: Emotional Reactions on Social Media
As news of EVNNE's win spread, fans flooded social media with heartfelt congratulations. The emotional resonance was particularly poignant for Keita, who had faced numerous challenges throughout his career.
my dearest keita boy, u went through so much and gave it your all in this industry for over 10 years and iβm so happy u are finally getting ur flowers as u deserve π iβm so proud of u and congrats to evnne!!! #EVNNE1stWin #Ugly1stWin https://t.co/PDFN2mmLUg
— 건μ±λ§ (@bbopgw) January 31, 2024
and i thank you for believing in & trusting yourself these past years, keita :( you won't be right there standing in front of many people winning a trophy if it also weren't for your determination to reach this big milestone. I'M CRYING I CAN'T CONTINUE πhttps://t.co/WDzmQXKGR1
— zea (@keitaracha) January 31, 2024
KEITA YOU DID IT!! YOUR FIRST EVER 1ST WIN ππ»ππ» ππ CONGRATULATIONS EVNNE & ENNVE!! #EVNNE #μ΄λΈ @EVNNE_official #UGLY1stWin #EVNNE1stWin pic.twitter.com/xsvK23fLVj
— μμ€.. (@1andkeita) January 31, 2024
"did we make it?" "yes we did" pic.twitter.com/AwlA1KbAyU
— λ©μ΄ π (@O5KEITA) January 31, 2024
In conclusion, Keita's journey from initial setbacks to his triumphant moment with EVNNE's music show win stands as a testament to the unpredictable and demanding nature of the K-pop industry. Congratulations poured in from fans, marking a well-deserved victory for Keita and the dedicated members of EVNNE.
Witness their entire encore stage in the video provided below!
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Written by Cassidy Jones.
