&Audition – The Howling

&Audition – The Howling – is a Japanese and South Korean reality competition program that follows the formation and debut of the first boy group under Hybe Labels Japan.[1]

In the live finale on September 3, 2022, the nine members of &Team were revealed.[2] They debuted on December 7, 2022.[2]

Program synopsis

&Audition – The Howling – A 60-minute, uncut version of the show where 15 trainees move forward together towards their dreams; a documentary-style program where various performances and stories unfold as they aim for debut.

&Audition – The Howling – Final Round

&Audition – Live – A shorter 30-minute version of the show, serving as support to the main broadcast, where MCs and an audience watch together with viewers.[6]

• Hulu Japan (Japan), Hybe Labels YouTube (Global): every Saturday at 1:30PM JST starting on July 9, 2022 (Episodes 1–7)[3]

• Hybe Labels YouTube (Global), Hulu Japan (Japan): 4PM JST live broadcast from Tokyo on September 3, 2022 (Episode 8);[4][5] two-hour special
• Nippon TV (Japan): 4-5PM JST; one-hour special

• Nippon TV (Japan): 12:59AM every Thursday starting on July 14, 2022

Background

On January 1, 2021, it was announced that Big Hit Japan would launch the "Big Hit Japan Global Debut Project" to search for artists to debut as a group in Japan and become active worldwide. Former I-Land contestants K, Nicholas, EJ and Taki were to take part as confirmed members of the group, joined by additional trainees determined through an audition program called "&Audition".[7]

On March 19, Big Hit Entertainment re-branded and re-structured into Hybe Corporation,[8] whereby Hybe Labels Japan would now be involved in the program and group's debut.[9] On the same day, an official Twitter account under the name "&AUDITION Boys" was launched for the four confirmed group members.[10] On April 26, 2021, K and EJ made a cameo in the music video for Enhypen's "Drunk-Dazed".[11] On November 4, Hybe Labels Japan shared that the &Audition program would begin airing in 2022.[12]

On January 18, 2022, Hybe Labels Japan announced the opening of YouTube channel "&Audition Boys",[13] and various videos and vlogs were uploaded. On March 9, the program was revealed to be titled &Audition – The Howling, and broadcast would start in July 2022 as the first phase of the Global Debut Project.[14] On May 30, the program's official website and social media accounts were opened, as well as the details of its broadcast date.[15] On June 4, themed profile photos of the 15 participating trainees were revealed.[16][17] The signal song for the program, "The Final Countdown", and its music video were released on June 28.[18]

Producers

Special Advisor

Mentors

Performance Director

Producer and Sound Director

Special Producers

Producer information from the official &Audition website.

• Bang Si-hyuk

• Pdogg
• Son Sung-deuk

• Sakura Inoue

• Soma Genda

• Ryosuke Imai
• Scooter Braun
• Zico

Contestants

Color key:

Profile

A total of 15 trainees participated in the show—four confirmed members, who were previously contestants on the South Korean boy group survival reality show I-Land, and 11 new trainees.[20] Note: Profile information from the official &Audition website, and ages based on the international age system and date of release (June 2022).

Concept

Each round has a mission involving both an interim check and a performance. The trainees will be judged on vocal ability, performance and a special criteria that will change with each round. Based on evaluations of their performances, the trainees earn a certain number of &BALLs to fill the &RING. Only if they fill the &RING after four rounds can everyone advance to the final round; if they fail to fill the &RING, the planned group's debut may be cancelled.[21]

Episodes

Missions

Final results

K, Nicholas, EJ and Taki's debut was officially confirmed after Round 4. The remaining five members were decided by a combination of criteria: producer evaluation (40%), special producer evaluation (30%), preliminary global voting (20%), and final live voting (10%).

Discography

Related content and spin-offs

Note: All content was released on the HYBE LABELS+ YouTube channel, unless otherwise stated, while shorter content was re-posted on multiple social media platforms.

Aftermath

• &TEAM officially debuted on December 7, 2022, with the extended play First Howling: Me.[22]
• On November 21, 2022, &Team released their debut song, "Under the Skin" and released their debut extended play on December 7, 2022.

• Some trainees participated in other survival shows:
• Yoo Jun-won participated in MBC's Fantasy Boys ranked 1st at the finals, and was expected to debut as a member of Fantasy Boys in late 2023 under PocketDol Studio. However, he left the debut lineup on August 23, 2023, following several disagreements Junwon and his parents had with PocketDol Studio regarding his contract.
• Hikaru & Gaku participated in Oen-High (HYBE Japan Survival Show) as contestants with 9 other members. Hikaru ranked 5 as a fixed member, making him a debut member of aoen, and Gaku ended up making the final lineup ranking 6. [23][24]
• Some trainees debuted in new groups:
• Hayate debuted in YK Entertainment under their boy group called Wild Blue.
• Hikaru & Gaku debuted in JCONIC to their boy group aoen making them &Team's little brothers.
• Some trainees opened social media accounts:
• Yu Junwon reactivated his Instagram account.

External links

• &AUDITION - The Howling - Official Website
• Hybe Labels Japan Official Website
• HYBE LABELS+ Official Youtube Channel