Arab News Japan

TOKYO: 14-year old Hinari, 15-year-old UA, and 17-year-old Mei are the Japanese contestants who were chosen out of 120,000 participants to compete alongside 17 women in an upcoming Netflix series premiering in 2024 to be part of a global girl group. 

The show is created by South Korean entertainment company HYBE, the record label of K-pop sensation BTS, and American record label Universal Music Group’s Geffen Records.

The documentary series will be directed by Nadia Hallgren, who directed the Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama’s 2020 Netflix documentary Becoming. 

Produced by HYBE, Interscope Films, and Boardwalk Pictures, the X-Factor-style show will showcase how the multinational girls are trained as well as the final formation of the group. 

Before the show debuts in 2024, fans can watch an audition program weekly on YouTube or Japan’s ABEMA, which will be titled The Debut: Dream Academy. Premiering on September 1, the 12-week program will allow fans to vote for who they want in the group.

The Japanese contestant Hinari is the youngest participant in the show, joining at only 14 years old.

@dreamacademyhq

Hinari’s Intro Video will debut 9.5 8AM PT / 9.6 12AM KST. #DREAMACADEMYHQ #HYBEGEFFEN #HYBE #GEFFEN

♬ original sound – Dream Academy HQ

15-year-old UA is one of the most popular contestant so far, as she is receiving praise for her exceptional dance skills on social media. She is also the also the only active Japanese contestant on social media, with more than 47,000 followers on Instagram. 

@dreamacademyhq

Replying to @Kayla~♡ It’s Ua’s world, and we are just living in it 🌎#HYBEGEFFEN #HYBE #GEFFEN #UA #DREAMACADEMYHQ

♬ original sound – Dream Academy HQ

Fans are also rooting for 17-year-old Japanese contestant Mei as they anticipate her performance.

@dreamacademyhq

Mei’s Intro Video will debut 9.3 8AM PT / 9.4 12AM KST. #DREAMACADEMYHQ #HYBEGEFFEN #HYBE #GEFFEN

♬ original sound – Dream Academy HQ