A K-pop-inspired girl group in Japan is garnering much attention and quickly rising in popularity after one of their songs went viral.
Debuting earlier this year through an audition program, HANA is produced by Korean-Japanese rapper Chanmina and has been praised for its fresh concept, stylish image, and undeniable talent. In particular, the group is gaining much popularity among Gen Z listeners as they embrace the group's style, helping them gain traction further.
One of the appeals of the group is their inclusive beginnings as the audition did not take age, weight, or appearance into consideration, according to one fan. The fan explained that the audition sought out "anyone passionate about music and wants to debut as a group." Thanks to the open audition process, different people from all corners of the world participated. Among them is Jisoo, the Korean member with blue hair.
Fans even noted the supportive atmosphere during the program, where constructive feedback replaced harsh criticism. One fan explained, "From the start, when they were recruiting members, they said they wouldn’t look at age, weight, or appearance, which was really surprising. They only said, 'If you want to do music and want to be in a group, apply.' That’s how Jisoo ended up coming from Korea to Japan, and another member even auditioned remotely from New York and passed. Even when they had to eliminate contestants, they never said anything harsh. Instead, they gave feedback that truly helped and always ended with, 'You’re doing well, you can make it, stay strong, I’ll help you.' In the beginning, the trainees were all negative and lacked confidence, but through this process, they became more positive. People around them even said their personalities had changed."
Korean netizens are also directing their attention to the group and sharing their thoughts in a popular online community. They commented:
"It’s a mild audition. I was watching the MV and reading comments, and when I heard the voice, I got surprised and scrolled up to see who it was. The red-haired member’s tone is nice."
"Is the agency’s CEO Sky-Hi? Isn’t he anti-Korean…?"
"I also saw it because of the algorithm. Basically, all the members are talented—they sing well live and dance well. The songs are good too, and Chanmina’s producing is amazing. I like 'Blue Jeans,' but 'Rose' is really good."
"The agency CEO is anti-Korean lol."
"If it’s a Sky-Hi group, can people not hype it up? That guy is always anti-Korean and complains that only Korea does well, saying it’s national policy or something, yet people still praise him."
"Chanmina, who’s Korean-Japanese, produces it, so what does the CEO have to do with it? The trainees didn’t join because they’re anti-Korean. They applied because they really wanted to. People don’t insult BLACKPINK or BTS just because of Yang Hyun Suk or Bang Si Hyuk."
"Leaving that aside, the song is good."
"I also like the song."
"Is the Korean member the main? She appears a lot."
"Not my taste, but having diverse body types is refreshing and nice to see."
"Is there proof that the CEO is anti-Korean? The idols are innocent."
"Their body looks natural, I like that."
"Red-haired member has a nice tone."
SEE ALSO: From Tiger and Magpie to the Grim Reaper: Korean Symbolism in ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’
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