HYBE-Geffen Records' audition program 'World Scout: The Final Piece' drew viewers in with its relentless progression. Of 14,000 applicants, 300 took the stage, and early mass eliminations left only 19 contestants standing.
'World Scout: The Final Piece' (hereafter "Worspa") premiered on the Japanese OTT platform Abema (ABEMA) on the 24th. Because it is an audition to select only one member, the journey was fierce from the start. Alongside KATSEYE, the bar was set high for the final member of a new group destined to dominate the global stage. Contestants' fortunes quickly diverged, with tears and cheers alternating.
Son Seong-deuk, HxG chief creator, who served as a judge, cited "star quality" as the key element of this audition. He said, "You must be able to shine instantly among many people. To do that, you must put everything into your performance on stage," and added, "I want to find a contestant with outstanding skills as well as an overwhelming presence."
Another judge, choreographer Nosuke (NOSUKE), emphasized harmony with the team. He said the winner would need to sync with Emily Kelavos, Lexie Levin and Samara Siqueira, who are already set as the debut group. He said, "You have to find a member who fits with the three. No matter how talented someone is, if they don't blend with the team, they fail."
Few candidates met the judges' strict standards. Of 127 dance contestants, four passed the first round, and of 173 vocal contestants, only two achieved passing marks in round one. But it was too harsh to give such potentially limitless talent only one chance to perform. After discussion, the judges selected 13 additional contestants, bringing the total to 19 advancing to the next round.
The desperate stories of the contestants who advanced to round two also moved viewers. Seria (18), born to an American father and a Japanese mother, said, "After my parents divorced, my mother raised three children alone and supported my dream. I want to pass and make her happy," and chose a jazz-funk routine for her stage.
Zaila (19), who appeared on 'Universe Ticket' on SBS in 2024, said through tears in an interview, "This time I won't have regrets." Her powerful hip-hop dance that followed instantly raised the energy, and producer In Jeong-hyun praised, "Her facial acting is excellent. You can see she is genuinely enjoying the stage."
Ayana (18), who appeared on the 2021 Mnet survival audition 'Girls Planet 999,' also caught attention when she appeared. She displayed top-level skills with a performance that highlighted her feminine charm. However, Son Seong-deuk, the chief creator, regretted, "There are many talented people. To stand out among them you need a unique weapon, but she seemed to make a somewhat safe choice."
Episode 1 ended before round two concluded. The announcement of round two results was postponed to the next episode, and anticipation rose as the remaining contestants' performances were teased. 'World Scout: The Final Piece' airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. on the Japanese OTT platform Abema (ABEMA).
[Photo] Provided by HYBE
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