The first girl group born from "Nippon Girls"! What is 11-member ME:I? Introducing the members!

In Korea, idols are often born through survival audition programs.

In recent years, new idols have been born in Japan as well through Korean audition program format.(^^)♪

On December 16, 2023,Audition programFrom "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS" (commonly known as Nippu Girls), a new 11-member female idol group ME:I was born.✨

 This time,We will introduce you to the Japanese girls' audition and ME:I, who overcame many challenges to make their debut.😊 

◎Click here for ME:I's official website◎

https://thegirls.produce101.jp/

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First of all, what is "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS"?

"PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS" is the third installment of "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN," Japan's largest survival audition program that gave birth to JO1 and INI, and is the program's first girl group audition.😊 

The 101 trainees who gathered to make their debut will grow together through specialized training and overcoming challenges.

It will be distributed on Docomo's video distribution service "Lemino" from October 5, 2023, and the ranking will be determined by voting by national producers (viewers). 

 Photo: (C)PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS

Singer Kaela Kimura served as the host on behalf of National Producers.

Singer Thelma Aoyama, Lee Hong Ki, a member of the Korean rock band FTISLAND who is also active as an actor, dancer Rino Nakasone, K-Pop choreographer YUMEKI, and rapper KEN THE 390 have been working as trainers to instruct the trainees.

The final was broadcast live on TBS on December 16th.

In the end, the top 11 people were selected from 101 people.It has been decided that he will debut as ME:I (^^)♪😊  

Trials given to trainees one after another: Starting from level classification

This time,We will introduce you to the Japanese girls' audition and ME:I, who overcame many challenges to make their debut.😊

101 people selected from a total of 14,000 applicants gathered for the audition (several people declined).

From there, level placement tests, theme song assignments, group battles, position evaluations, and concept evaluations.After many trials, 20 people made it through to the final stage!

In the first level, the trainees were divided into 26 teams and performed songs and dances in front of the trainers!

Students are evaluated and classified on a 5-level scale from A to F.

Trainees who are evaluated as ``not ready'' are given a grade of B or below, and the lowest grade, F, is a harsh evaluation that means ``failing''.(;_;)

In the first level classification, 11 students were selected for class A, followed by 21 for class B, 27 for class C, 24 for class D, and 12 for class F.

Photo: (C)PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS

The trainees received guidance from the trainers in each class,The program's theme song, which is also the assigned song, is ``LEAP HIGH! Tomorrow, full of energy!'' ”I will try.

This theme song evaluation evaluates the basic level, and the songs and choreography are checked again, and the students are divided into classes again.

During the second leveling, some trainees moved up and down the ranks.

Furthermore,The trainees who were placed in the F class during the second level classification were given strict conditions such as not being able to dance on stage during the performance of the assigned song.(;_;)

101 → 50 → 35 people, people were eliminated one after another after two ranking announcements...

After the class division and theme song assignment,Group battles that evaluated teamwork, position evaluations that evaluated the skills of each part, and concept evaluations that evaluated the ability to understand and express original songs.✨assignment was given. 

Photo: (C)PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS

In the group battle, 16 teams will be formed and two teams will perform against each other using the same song.

Teams choose one song from eight challenge songs, including K-POP and Japanese songs, and compete in their performance of the same song.

Voting is an individual battle, but in this group battle, members of the winning team may receive 3000 votes as a benefit.We needed to be conscious of "working together as a team and winning as a team."✨ 

Teams are formed by trainees who are selected by lottery and pull out trainees who they think they would like to work with.

But as a result,There are scenes where we can see the ``harsh reality'' of trainees from low-level classes such as F class being left behind without being selected, and only A class members being brought in to form the strongest team.(ﾟoﾟ;

Also, even if the team is made up of only A-class members, due to the rules of the program, some members will be replaced by higher-level trainees (>-<).

The situation was also broadcast on TV.

After the group battle, the first ranking announcement was held, where the participants were narrowed down from 101 to 50, and the first person was eliminated. 

The next task given to the remaining 50 people was position evaluation.

 Form a team by dividing into three positions: vocal, dance, rap & vocal.✨

Trainees choose the position in which they are most confident, choose a song to perform, and compete to show their skills.

The vocals must be arranged by the team themselves, and the dancers must create their own choreography. In the rap & vocal category, participants write their own rap lyrics.

In this position evaluation,“Only the trainees who came in first place on the team.”will be given 10,000 votes as a benefit,

Further 100,000 votes will be given to the “trainee who placed first overall in each position”There was a big benefit that(ﾟﾛﾟ)! 

In group battles, ``a team victory'' led to your number of votes, but this time, even if you won as a team, ``you don't get votes unless you come first in your team,'' so you were faced with the harsh reality that ``members of the same team will become your rivals.''(;_;)

After the position evaluation, a second ranking announcement was held, at which the candidates were narrowed down from 50 to 35.

The 20 people who will advance to the finals will be determined in the third ranking announcement.

The remaining 35 people will proceed to concept evaluation.

The concept evaluation is an examination in which trainees perform a performance using an original song created for them.

A team of seven people will perform five original songs of different genres: "A to Z," "Baddie," "Popcorn," "TOXIC," and "&ME."✨

In the concept evaluation, benefit votes were given only to the members of the team that placed first among the five teams.

However, even for the 1st place team, benefits are given to trainees from 1st to 6th place. No benefits were given to the 7th place trainee who was the lowest among the 1st place team.(>-<)

In the final debut evaluation, the participants were divided into two teams of 10 people each and performed the assigned songs “CHOPPY CHOPPY” and “Imaginable”!

Voting resumed during the final performance, and 1 vote cast during the live broadcast counted as 2 votes.✨

 Photo: (C)PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS

After the performance, the names of the top 11 debuting members were read out and the debuting members were decided! 

It was also announced that the group name has been changed to "ME:I", which means "to become a new generation of idols" (^-^) 

Who are the selected 11 ME:I?

The final was decided based on the 4th national referendum and the total number of votes cast during the live broadcast.

The total number of votes was a whopping 10,830,673 votes!✨You can see how popular Japanese girls are!

As a result of the voting, the following 11 people became ME:I members.💜 😊 

 Photo: (C) LAPONE Entertainment

○Debut members (final ranking)
*() is the 3rd ranking
1st place: Momona Kasahara / 1,116,716 votes (1st place) *Debut song center
2nd place: Rian Murakami / 700,305 votes (3rd place)
3rd place: Bunnei Takami / 686,868 votes (5th place)
4th place: Miu Sakurai / 655,210 votes (2nd place)
5th place: Suzu Yamamoto / 631,708 votes (14th place)
6th place: Kokona Sasaki / 593,913 votes (7th place)
7th place: Shigetsu Iida / 593,457 votes (10th place)
8th place: Keiko Shimizu / 591,650 votes (11th place)
9th place: Ran Ishii / 588,173 votes (4th place)
10th place: Ebihara Drum / 577,903 votes (6th place)
11th place: Shin Kato / 552,603 votes (8th place)

ME:I member introduction

1st place: Momona Kasahara: Always in the top 3! An experienced idol from Hello! Project ``Angerme''

Born on October 22, 2003, 21 years old. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Momona is a former member of Hello Project's ``Angerme'' and has experience as an idol.💜

Based on his extensive stage experience, he delivers a highly complete performance that pays close attention to even the smallest details, such as facial expression management and appearance.

In terms of class classification, it is an undisputed A class! It was always at the top of the polls.

In particular, in the first ranking announcement when the members were narrowed down to 50, they came in first place.

In the second ranking announcement, which was narrowed down to 35 people, they came in 3rd place.

At the third ranking announcement, where the 20 people who will advance to the finals are decided, they came in first place again.

Popularity that continues to reign in the top 3!

FIn the final, we secured first place with an overwhelming number of votes exceeding 1.11 million votes.✨ 

 During the class division, YOASOBI's ``Idol'' performance was performed in costumes with cute ribbons, showing off their accomplishments as ``former idols'' and ``idol-likeness.''

In the group battle, they performed Perfume's "TOKYO GIRL" with a precise and reliable performance even though there were few movements.

On the other hand, in the position battle, he dared to take on the challenge of rapping, proving his versatility. She served as the main vocalist in the final and debuted in first place.✨

2nd place: Rian Murakami: Showing off her talent in a rap battle! An inexperienced person who is “out of the debut range” is a proud 2nd place!

Born on September 30, 2006, 18 years old. Born in Okayama Prefecture.

Rian's trademark is her cat-like sharp eyes and thick bangs.

Although she had no experience in dancing or singing, she performed ``Otona Blue'' by the new school leaders during a class division, and the trainers called her ``eye-catching'' and drew attention.

After that, I was always out of the debut range, but my fate changed depending on my position evaluation!

Vocalist Rian-chan chose rap and vocals based on position evaluation, and decided to perform an arrangement of rapper Chanmina's song ``Bijin.''

However, in the same group are Keiko Shimizu, who is good at rapping, and Tsukushi Sasaki, who competed on "America's Got Talent" and is also a professional dancer!

Surprisingly, the one who saved Rian-chan, who was worried about the difference in ability between the two of them, was Chanmin himself.✨

Everyone who appeared as a guest to directly teach ``Beauty'' instantly grasped Rian's atmosphere and characteristics.

「When I told him directly, ``I don't think I'll get any better in the past week or so,'' he suggested, ``Then come up with your own character!''

Fanning her fan like a princess, she said, ``Rianha-chan is cat-like and princess-like.

“A strong character like that doesn’t suit me! “Why don’t you rap like that?” ”, giving advice on how to perform cutely without raising your voice.

Rian-chan quickly took everyone's advice and developed her own rap route with her cute singing style, facial expressions, and behavior!

 

In the 3rd ranking announcement, she surpassed Ishii Ran-chan, who came in 1st place in the 2nd ranking announcement, and came in 3rd place despite being out of the debut range!

In the finals, he improved his ranking further and secured his debut in 2nd place. 

 3rd place・Bunnei Takami: Captivates with his outstanding singing ability! Shocking at the gap between real expression and performance!

Born on May 15, 2005, 19 years old. Born in Iwate Prefecture. 

Bunnei's charm is definitely her voice! He sings pop songs, hard songs, and ballads with his unique voice that you will become addicted to once you hear it.

Show off your presence with a sharp voice that sticks in your ears even with just one phrase.✨

Although she usually appears quiet and quiet, she has always maintained her debut status with her singing ability that overwhelms those around her the moment she sings. He also won 2nd place in the trainee evaluation before voting.

 

In particular, Hikaru Utada's "Firest Love", which was sung during the position evaluation, and the original song "TOXIC", which was sung during the concept evaluation, received high praise.💜 

 

He will definitely become ME:I's "vocal face" in the future! 

4th place: Miu Sakurai: Former New Jeans candidate! Talented people with extensive audition experience

Born on January 11, 2002, 22 years old. Born in Aichi Prefecture. 

Miu-chan isShe has experience in the "Nizi Project" and the Japan-China-Korea joint girl group audition "Girls Planet 999" in the past.

Furthermore, there was a time when she belonged to a major Korean agency as a candidate for the Korean girl group New Jeans.

I have missed out on debuts so far, but this time I got my first debut as a Japanese girl.✨

Because she has experience in auditions and in an agency, she is able to dance, sing, manage facial expressions, and create dance structures with ease, and is classified as an A-class student.

Furthermore, I served as the center for the assigned song. 

 

On the other hand, because he is an experienced player and can do things smoothly, there are times when he is criticized by the trainers during training camp.

"The vocals, the dancing, and the performance are all good. But there's something about them that seems to be stuck, even though they should be able to express themselves a little more freely."When asked by Lee Hong Ki,

``Since I missed my debut so many times, I thought, ``I'm missing something,'' and I couldn't believe in myself for a long time.''There was a time when I whimpered.

After that, while facing myself through the challenges, I always kept within the debut range until the finals, and finally made my debut!

He also professes to be good at cooking, and often makes cheesecake and gateau chocolat at home.♪

“What I’m better at than making cakes is minced meat cutlet.” About his specialty dishesI'm talking. 

5th place: Suzu Yamamoto: Experienced in a famous Korean agency! I made a comeback from outside the debut range on my birthday!

 

Born on December 16, 2006, 18 years old. Born in Tokyo.

Suzu-chan went to Korea by herself when she was in her first year of high school and has experience working for a famous agency.

The trainers praised her cute looks and the way she changed expressions at the moment of performance, even from the time she was divided into classes. 

 

However, his contract with a famous agency expired after six months, and he lost confidence in the past.

Even during the audition, he revealed, ``Because I'm cut off... No matter what I do, there are times when I don't feel motivated.That's the hardest part.I went into this audition thinking it was my last chance.''

At the start of the program, she won first place in the voting and was always within the debut range, but there were times when her trainers asked her to be at an even higher level.

Trainer YUMEKI said, ``I'm not looking for her to be just good. Suzu has zero expressiveness if you look at her current performance.''

There were times when I was criticized harshly, saying, ``I just finished it well.''

Suzu-chan herself began to feel conflicted, saying, ``I feel like I'm going to end up saying, ``That's great,'' and that's what worries me the most.''

As a result, in the third ranking announcement, although they advanced to the final, they fell to 14th place and out of the rankings.My debut was in jeopardy (>-<). 

 

However, by observing the talented Ran-chan Ishii's performance and going to consult her, she overcame her own hesitations and conflicts and gave a dignified performance!  

December 16th, the day the final was held, was Suzu's 17th birthday. On her birthday, she returned to 5th place and made a dramatic debut!✨ 

6th place: Kokona Sasaki: An eye-catching talent with no experience! Always keep within debut range!

Born on January 30, 2006, 18 years old. Born in Mie Prefecture.

Kokona-chan is”Born in rural Mie``A country girl,'' as she calls herself.

Although she had no experience dancing or singing, she attracted attention with her handsome looks and outstanding style, and was ranked within the debut range from the beginning.

Furthermore, his innocent expression during his performance was well-received, and even though he lacked skill, he attracted the attention of the trainers.✨

However, as the stage progresses, the required ability also increases.

Kokona-chan also had a hard time with her original song ``TOXIC'' which received a concept evaluation.

Kokona was required to have a rich and sexy expression in the sexy and mature style of ``TOXIC'', so she learned and practiced performance from other talented members of the same group, Ran Ishii and Tsukushi Sasaki.

During the actual performance, she looked surprisingly cool and sexy, and even YUMEKI praised her, saying, ``Kokona has awakened!'' 

 

Even though she has no experience, Kokona shows off her dancing and singing skills and shows that she has room to grow. This is a member who I look forward to seeing grow in the future.

7th place: Shizuki Iida: Current music college student makes her debut from the outside world with a ``break away from classical music''!

Born on December 4, 2004, 20 years old. Born in Tokyo.

Shizuki-chan is an active music college student! It is no exaggeration to say that he is the trainee who has made the most progress among the members!

Shizuki-chan has a sense of pitch, rhythm, and singing ability that she trained through vocal music, but there were times when those strengths backfired on her during the audition.(;_;)

When I sang Speed's "Body & Soul" in a group battle, the trainers commented on my classic voice and asked, "Isn't it classic?"

It became a hot topic on social media, with comments such as ``classic Body&Soul'' and ``addictive.'' 

 

In response to this, Shizuki-chan decided to ``go away from the classics'', and in the next stage she changed her look to blonde hair! We have made many improvements to avoid singing in a classical style.

Namie Amuro's ``Hero'', which she sang during the position evaluation, surprised the trainers and viewers with her singing style that completely sealed the classical feel.(ﾟﾛﾟ)!

But Shiori-chan,「I don't have any intention of denying my past self, I'm ``de-classical'' in my own way.''I have evolved while acknowledging my past self!

In addition, in this position evaluation,I was also seen supporting other trainees with their vocal skills (^^) 

 

Shiozuki-chan has been out of the debut range for a long time,In the third ranking announcement to decide the 20 people who will advance to the finals, the ranking has significantly increased from 20th place last time to 10th place!

From 20th place, which was on the verge of being eliminated, he suddenly entered the debut range, and rose further in the finals to 7th place.✨

In the future, you may be able to expect a wide range of work in the voice field, such as musicals, plays, and dubbing for Disney movies! 

8th place: Keiko Shimizu: Stands out with her unique character! A mood maker who is good at rapping!

 

Born on November 27, 2005, 19 years old. Born in Aichi Prefecture. 

Keiko-chan has been attracting attention with her bright and unique atmosphere ever since she appeared in Class Division.

In class classification,  Performed the new school's leader's ``Otona Blue'' just like the original and made it to A class.

He was well-received by the trainers for his ability to speak and liven up the atmosphere with his unique personality.♪✨ 

 

She also reveals that she is the only girl out of seven siblings, and although she is tomboyish, she is also the mood maker who brings the team together. 

She is an aspiring rapper, and during her position evaluation, she passionately sang ``Beautiful'' by her favorite rapper, Chanmina!

I received direct singing guidance from everyone, and my rapping and singing skills have grown dramatically!

Ranked 1st on the team in this position evaluation! He also won first place in the overall rap category, receiving 110,000 votes at Benefit.✨

She steadily rose from 18th place at the start of the program, and finally won her debut in 8th place! 

9th place・Ran Ishii: Overwhelming dance skills and skilled performance! Leadership ability that brings together members

Born on August 7, 2004, 20 years old. Born in Saitama Prefecture. 

Ran-chan isShe is a former member of the girls performance group Girls² and has experience as an idol.  

They have overwhelmed the trainees with their splendid performances using their outstanding dance skills.

He has great singing and rapping skills, and is a talented person who can perform in any position with almighty ability.✨

He was ranked 3rd in the first ranking announcement, 1st place in the second ranking announcement, and 4th place in the third ranking announcement. We debuted in 9th place in the final!

She was ranked within the debut range from the start of the program, and competed with Miu Sakurai for the center spot in the theme song challenge until the end.

Also, in group battles and position evaluations,There are also scenes where he guides other trainees.Especially when it comes to position evaluation, she was placed in the center of INI's ``Rocketeer'' in the dance category.

He learned the choreography with incredible speed and brought the team together while teaching the members his original choreography.  

In this performance, they showed off their powerful and sharp dancing, and won first place on the team and first place overall in the dance category. Obtained 110,000 votes (^^)

 

In the next concept evaluation, she deliberately did not choose a center, but instead created a performance that brought out her charm to the fullest and was an eye-catching presence.

Suzu Yamamoto in this figure,  ``Even if you're on the edge of the room, you can still catch my eye.'' He says, ``Look at me'' more than anyone else, and your eyes catch my eye. You're drawn in when you watch him,'' he said in one scene.

In search of “something more than good”I was worriedWhen Suzu-chan asked for advice, Ran-chan"The best thing to do is not to focus on the center. The center is not everything."He gave me wise advice and encouraged me.♪

Also, in group battles, position, concept, debut evaluation, etc.Teams with Ran-chan tend to stick together as one.💜

Ran-chan took the initiative in learning the choreography, took over the role of instructing the members, and taught dancing to those with no experience, so she naturally assumed the role of a leader. 

Since he can act with an awareness of ``how to present as a team'' and ``win as a team,'' he will continue to be able to organize the members well in the future.♪✨ 

10th place: Ebihara Tsuzumi: The youngest on the team! Impress those around you with your powerful singing voice and charisma! 

Born on January 22, 2007, 17 years old. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture.

With her powerful singing voice and cheerful personality, Tsuzumi-chan attracted attention from the beginning of her audition (^-^)

He showed off his high singing ability with his guitar playing and won first place in the first trainee evaluation!

In the subsequent level placement test, he was praised by the trainers for being ``charismatic,'' and was placed in A class.✨ 

 

As they progressed through the stages, they sang songs of any genre, always maintaining their debut position, and debuted in 10th place at the finals.♪

During the position evaluation, Namie Amuro's "Hero" was sung with great enthusiasm! During the training camp for position evaluation,He has been recognized for his high level of skill by being assigned two highly difficult improvisations that stand out even more than the main vocals from Korean music producer duo LAS, the arranger.

In the next concept evaluation, she was in charge of the main vocals for the original song "&ME" and surprised the audience by singing a powerful melody line with a high-pitched voice from the beginning! 

Although he has a high level of singing ability, when he was assigned an ad-lib that stood out more than the main vocalist in the position evaluation,There was also a scene where she shed tears as she was concerned about Yui Ando, who was chosen as the main vocalist.

He is also popular for his kind and caring personality, as he always remembers the Aoharu members who were in the same group when he was divided into classes, and carries the feelings of the Aoharu members who dropped out as he strives to make his debut.✨。

Tsuzumi-chan is recognized as the person who speaks of singing. He is a reliable person who leads ME:I's vocals together with Bunnei Takami.

11th place: Kokoro Kato: A debut made by a former Cherry Bullet member who was betting on his comeback!

Born on November 1, 2000, 24 years old. Born in Aichi Prefecture. 

Kokoro-chan is  She is a former member of Cherry Bullet, a girl group formed by Koreans and Japanese.✨Like Momona-chan, she has a track record as an idol.

During the placement test, he explained his reason for leaving the group, saying, ``Due to various health reasons, I had no choice but to give up on my dream and came back.''

Kokoro-chan is``I decided to try it out because I wanted to sing and dance just one more time,'' she said of her reason for taking on the audition.

Lee Hong Ki, one of the trainers this time, is a senior at the agency from his time at Cherry Bullet. During the level placement test, Lee Hong Ki said,"He's really good, but for some reason I can't get his feelings across."I told Kokoro my true feelings.

Also, Mr. Nakasone,"I've spent my whole life making a comeback. I want to feel something more than skill."He said he was looking for ``something more than skill'' from Kokoro, who has experience.

The ranking had always been 2nd place since the beginning of the program, but in the third ranking announcement, the ranking dropped to 8th place.

This isAnother possible reason could be that the release of "Oshi Camera" was suspended before the announcement due to a penalty for violating the rules.

Even so, as an experienced person, he always led each team and actively offered his opinions on vocals, dance composition, arrangement, etc., making him a reliable presence for the trainees (^-^)

At the finals, while the trainees who were always close to making their debut were having their names called, there was a scene where his name was not being called and his expression turned dark (>-<)

When his name was called in the final 11th place, he fell to his knees and cried tears of joy. 

What are your future activities?

ME:I, formed by the 11 members selected this time, has a sponsorship contract with NTTdocomo.

The official website has already been launched,It was also announced that the first fan concert "2024 ME:I LAUNCHING SHOW ME:ICONIC" will be held at Tokyo Garden Theater on March 27th and 28th, and at Osaka Ookini Arena Maishima on March 30th and 31st.✨

Furthermore, their debut single will be released on April 17th! I’m looking forward to your future activities.♪

Summary~BirthdayLeave it to JAPAN! ~

 

The audition for Japanese girls,1 member,How was it?

This time, we introduced ME:I, whose members were just decided on December 16th last year!

The first female girl group in the Nippu series is made up of talented and unique members, so we can't wait to see what happens in the future!

Who is your “favorite”?

BirthdayIn JAPAN, we will introduce Japanese girls' trainees.BirthdayWe have also placed advertisements. Please look forward to ME:I's future activities.BirthdayPlease support us in Japan♪

After reading this article, I thought, ``Me too.BirthdayI want to advertise! If you feel thatonceBirthdayPlease feel free to contact JAPAN ^^

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