A 16-year-old girl who used to dance alone in a small rural village in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, overcame an astonishing 14,000-to-1 competition ratio. She is Tobi Sakura, the final winner of HYBE and Geffen Records' joint audition 'World Scout: The Final Piece'.
Tobi Sakura was abruptly selected as the final puzzle piece of HYBE-Geffen Records' four-member rookie girl group
In a written interview released through her agency, Tobi Sakura said, "I was so happy that it hardly felt real that I could achieve my dream, but at the same time my first thought was that this is not the end but the beginning," and added, "I will never be complacent in the present and will work harder to show my best to fans around the world." She especially noted about the unfamiliar and intense K-pop style training process, "Everything from mirror practice to synchronizing choreography with others to performing in front of cameras was new, so every moment was a huge test. But within that, we fiercely competed while learning to respect each other and grow together," revealing a more mature inner self.
She cited the final stage 'PARTY b4 the PARTY' performed with the members at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles as the most memorable moment of the audition process. Tobi Sakura will form a team with skilled members from 'The Debut: Dream Academy' who already produced the global girl group KATSEYE — Emily (U.S.), Lexi (Sweden) and Samara (Brazil) — to create synergy. She expressed gratitude for HYBE-Geffen's systematic system, saying, "Thanks to the world-class coaching team who carefully guided me not only to develop my skills but also to find my own charm and individuality, I was able to be reborn as a completely new artist."
Tobi Sakura also said they have been building a deep bond by teaching each other their languages and sharing small snacks from their countries, and whispered that she was truly happy when, upon being selected as a final member, the members welcomed her saying, "We finally found our final piece" and "We're so glad you came," because only then did she truly feel like part of the team.
Her role models who changed her life are LE SSERAFIM, seniors on the HYBE labels, and KATSEYE. She said that after seeing LE SSERAFIM's 'FEARLESS' stage she gained the conviction to seriously pursue this path and that she wants to emulate the seniors' tireless effort and professional attitude.
Finally, Tobi Sakura added the weighty goal that "I want Saint Satine to be remembered as a group that delivers positive energy across the world," and said, "I want to meet global fans as soon as possible on stages in the U.S., including the dream stage Coachella, on stages in my hometown Japan, and on music shows in Korea, the 'home of K-pop.'
[Photo] HYBE-Geffen Records
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