WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE Episode 8: Shocking Twist of '1-Month Extension' & 'Additional Candidates' Just Before Final Screening... Free Catch-up Streaming on 'ABEMA'
ABEMA broadcasted episode 8 of the HYBE x Geffen Records audition show 'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE'. The episode featured a shocking extension announcement and a tense clash between candidates AYANA and AOI.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 07:52
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 23:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 14:06 (110h 35m after Collected)
The new future television 'ABEMA' broadcasted episode 8 of 'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE', an audition program by HYBE x Geffen Records aiming to discover Japan's greatest talents for a global debut in 2026, for free on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 8 PM.
■ What is 'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE'?
'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE' is a scouting project masterminded by HYBE x Geffen Records—a full-scale entry into the global market uniting HYBE, which has produced numerous global artists including BTS, and Geffen Records, under the umbrella of the world's largest music company, Universal Music Group. For this project, a top scouting team from HYBE x Geffen Records visited Japan looking toward a global debut in 2026, conducting a massive nationwide audition. Alongside three trainees who participated in 'The Debut: Dream Academy'—EMILY, LEXIE, and SAMARA—they will discover 'just one artist' in Japan to become the final member of a new, globally active girl group debuting from HYBE x Geffen Records.
The studio cast for this project features Rino Sashihara, as well as SAKURA and KAZUHA from the globally active 5-member girl group LE SSERAFIM (under SOURCE MUSIC, a HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABEL), and MOKA and IROHA from the 5-member girl group ILLIT (under BELIFT LAB, also a HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABEL). This luxurious cast watches over the moments of growth and crucial decisions of the participants putting their dreams on the line.
In episode 8, broadcasted on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with only one week remaining until the final screening, serious dance and vocal lessons began for three of the candidates. While dance coach Martha highly praised AYANA for breaking out of her 'perfectionist and honor student' shell to show her vulnerable side and 'shedding her old skin', AOI received harsh feedback: 'I don't feel any feeling at all'. Shocked by AYANA's overwhelming skill, AOI remarked, 'I feel like I've been subjected to the violence of AYANA's talent; simply put, I feel as if I've already failed the audition'.
Furthermore, a direct conflict broke out between AYANA and AOI over professionalism. The dispute was triggered by an event during the morning lesson. A full hour was wasted correcting steps that AOI and SAKURA had memorized incorrectly. AYANA pointed out a lack of professionalism in an interview, saying, 'I was shocked that they didn't know the choreography even though it's a week away. I was disappointed not to see the attitude of doing it until you get it right'. In response, AOI argued back, 'I was only doing what the teacher told me was correct', leading to an uneasy atmosphere born from their differing perceptions.
During dinner that evening, AYANA shared her thoughts directly with AOI and SAKURA regarding their reluctance to ask questions proactively: 'This is about professionalism. Even if the teacher doesn't point it out, you should ask'. However, overwhelmed by the situation, AOI expressed her frustration in an interview: 'Honestly, I think she's annoying. I am doing my best'. Meanwhile, AYANA, whose well-intentioned advice had provoked a backlash, said, 'I've bet my life on coming to America to work hard, and I was shocked by the difference in our commitment levels. I'm panicking too, with only one week left'. Under the extreme conditions of the LA boot camp, this led to a turbulent development where the comrades finally fractured.
These candidates are both rivals fighting for a single debut spot and comrades surviving the boot camp together. Witnessing their raw, desperate states in a foreign land, Rino Sashihara, watching from the studio, murmured, 'Everyone is at their limit', as a tense atmosphere enveloped the room. Regarding the strained relationship between AYANA and AOI, ILLIT's...
■ What is 'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE'?
'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE' is a scouting project masterminded by HYBE x Geffen Records—a full-scale entry into the global market uniting HYBE, which has produced numerous global artists including BTS, and Geffen Records, under the umbrella of the world's largest music company, Universal Music Group. For this project, a top scouting team from HYBE x Geffen Records visited Japan looking toward a global debut in 2026, conducting a massive nationwide audition. Alongside three trainees who participated in 'The Debut: Dream Academy'—EMILY, LEXIE, and SAMARA—they will discover 'just one artist' in Japan to become the final member of a new, globally active girl group debuting from HYBE x Geffen Records.
The studio cast for this project features Rino Sashihara, as well as SAKURA and KAZUHA from the globally active 5-member girl group LE SSERAFIM (under SOURCE MUSIC, a HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABEL), and MOKA and IROHA from the 5-member girl group ILLIT (under BELIFT LAB, also a HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABEL). This luxurious cast watches over the moments of growth and crucial decisions of the participants putting their dreams on the line.
In episode 8, broadcasted on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with only one week remaining until the final screening, serious dance and vocal lessons began for three of the candidates. While dance coach Martha highly praised AYANA for breaking out of her 'perfectionist and honor student' shell to show her vulnerable side and 'shedding her old skin', AOI received harsh feedback: 'I don't feel any feeling at all'. Shocked by AYANA's overwhelming skill, AOI remarked, 'I feel like I've been subjected to the violence of AYANA's talent; simply put, I feel as if I've already failed the audition'.
Furthermore, a direct conflict broke out between AYANA and AOI over professionalism. The dispute was triggered by an event during the morning lesson. A full hour was wasted correcting steps that AOI and SAKURA had memorized incorrectly. AYANA pointed out a lack of professionalism in an interview, saying, 'I was shocked that they didn't know the choreography even though it's a week away. I was disappointed not to see the attitude of doing it until you get it right'. In response, AOI argued back, 'I was only doing what the teacher told me was correct', leading to an uneasy atmosphere born from their differing perceptions.
During dinner that evening, AYANA shared her thoughts directly with AOI and SAKURA regarding their reluctance to ask questions proactively: 'This is about professionalism. Even if the teacher doesn't point it out, you should ask'. However, overwhelmed by the situation, AOI expressed her frustration in an interview: 'Honestly, I think she's annoying. I am doing my best'. Meanwhile, AYANA, whose well-intentioned advice had provoked a backlash, said, 'I've bet my life on coming to America to work hard, and I was shocked by the difference in our commitment levels. I'm panicking too, with only one week left'. Under the extreme conditions of the LA boot camp, this led to a turbulent development where the comrades finally fractured.
These candidates are both rivals fighting for a single debut spot and comrades surviving the boot camp together. Witnessing their raw, desperate states in a foreign land, Rino Sashihara, watching from the studio, murmured, 'Everyone is at their limit', as a tense atmosphere enveloped the room. Regarding the strained relationship between AYANA and AOI, ILLIT's...