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HYBE's Japanese label reveals plans for upcoming boy band

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By Pyo Kyung-min
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The official image for YX Label's audition show, 'Cheer – HIGH ~Dream START LINE~,' currently airing on Japan's Nippon TV / Courtesy of YX Labels

The official image for YX Label's audition show, "Cheer – HIGH ~Dream START LINE~," currently airing on Japan's Nippon TV / Courtesy of YX Labels

HYBE Labels Japan, recently rebranded as YX Labels, has launched a local audition show to form a new Japanese K-pop boy band, aiming to select seven finalists from a pool of contestants.

Premiered on Saturday through Japan's Nippon TV, the new project, titled "Cheer — HIGH ~Dream START LINE~" introduced nine trainees in its first episode — Yuju, Shin, Ruka, Gaku, Haku, Kyosuke, Kaiji, Reo and Narumi. Two more contestants were teased for upcoming episodes, bringing the total to 11, all vying for a spot in the debut lineup.

Captured images from YX Label's latest audition show, 'Cheer – HIGH ~Dream START LINE~' / Courtesy of YX Labels

Captured images from YX Label's latest audition show, "Cheer – HIGH ~Dream START LINE~" / Courtesy of YX Labels

According to YX Labels, only seven of the 11 contestants will make it into the final group. Participants will compete while facing different challenges to bring out their idol potential, including K-pop stage performances and filming different content.

During its first episode, the contestants revealed their dedication to fair play. Gaku, a former participant on "&AUDITION — The Howling —," the show that produced &TEAM, another boy band under the label, said, "I believe I'm standing here today all thanks to my experience back then. I will work hard to debut this time."

The series will span eight episodes, with extended versions including unaired footage streaming on broadcaster Hulu.

"The show will portray the contestants' raw emotions as they push their limits, compete and support one another," YX Labels noted. "Viewers may look forward to their inspiring stories."

This project is part of HYBE's ongoing strategy to develop groups through audition-based formats.

In 2023, HYBE's subsidiary Belift Lab debuted girl group ILLIT via JTBC's audition show "R U Next?" Meanwhile, the U.S.-based K-pop group KATSEYE was formed through HYBE and Geffen Records' collaborative survival show "The Debut: Dream Academy" on YouTube.