'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE' #11: Two Finalists Decided! LE SSERAFIM's SAKURA Cheers on Eliminated Trainees
In 'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE' #11, broadcast on ABEMA, two finalists, AYANA and SAKURA, were selected to advance to the final judging. LE SSERAFIM's SAKURA offered words of encouragement to the eliminated trainees, and the finalists will now join the debut group for the final battle.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 07:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 22:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 5, 2026 at 22:54 (22 min after Collected)
New future TV "ABEMA" free-broadcasted #11 of the audition program "WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE" by HYBE × Geffen Records, which aims to discover top talent in Japan for a global debut in 2026, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 8 PM.
■ What is 'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE'?
'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE' is a scout project by HYBE × Geffen Records, a collaboration between HYBE, which has produced numerous global artists including BTS, and Geffen Records, one of the world's largest music companies under Universal Music Group. This project aims for a full-scale entry into the global market. For this project, HYBE × Geffen Records' top scout team visited Japan to conduct a large-scale audition across the country. Together with EMILY, LEXIE, and SAMARA, who participated as trainees in 'The Debut: Dream Academy', the project seeks to discover "only one artist" in Japan who will become the final member of a new global girl group debuting from HYBE × Geffen Records in 2026.
The studio cast for this project includes Rino Sashihara, Hikorohi, SAKURA and KAZUHA from the globally active five-member girl group LE SSERAFIM, affiliated with HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABELS' SOURCE MUSIC, and MOKA and IROHA from the five-member girl group ILLIT, affiliated with HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABELS' BELIFT LAB. This豪華 cast will watch over the growth and decisive moments of the participants who are challenging their dreams.
In #11, broadcast on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the results of the interim judging were finally announced, and two individuals were selected to advance to the final judging. The two who successfully secured a spot as finalists were AYANA, who possesses overwhelming skill, and 16-year-old SAKURA, who shows remarkable growth from no experience.
AOI and RINKA, who were unfortunately eliminated at this stage, tearfully expressed their gratitude for the audition, vowed for each other's future, and began their journey home. To AOI and RINKA, SAKURA (LE SSERAFIM) offered words of encouragement, saying, "I believe in fate, and you never know where your flower will bloom. So, don't give up, and I hope you continue to seek out various connections in your life from now on."
Meanwhile, AYANA and SAKURA, who successfully earned their tickets to the final judging, exchanged a spirited hug and are now set to face each other as formidable rivals in the final battle for the single debut spot.
For 10 days leading up to the final judging, the two will finally join the three debut members (EMILY, LEXIE, SAMARA) and begin joint lessons. The challenge songs for the final judging, to be performed in front of 200 audience members, have been decided: AYANA will perform 'WE RIDE', and SAKURA will perform 'PARTY b4 the PARTY'. Rino Sashihara in the studio commented, "You won't know until they mix with the three," and Hikorohi added, "Finally, what will happen when they perform with those three?" LE SSERAFIM's SAKURA also held her breath, saying, "What will happen...?" as the two faced an unprecedented high wall.
AYANA, witnessing the overwhelming aura of the original performers, faced the conflicting challenges of "maintaining her individuality while blending in with everyone." Coach Nikki also pointed out, "She's too focused on herself and lacks awareness of blending in with others." Meanwhile, SAKURA struggled with the full-length, highly difficult choreography and a lack of vocal intensity. Coach Nikki gave her a harsh evaluation, saying, "Looking only at you, I feel you don't fit this group."
Deeply troubled by the dilemma between "fitting into the team" and "expressing individuality," AYANA was pushed to her limits. She had always controlled her emotions, conditioning herself to "smile because she passed," but suddenly, in front of the three debut members, the tension snapped, and tears overflowed. In response to AYANA's vulnerability, EMILY and the others warmly empathized, saying, "We were in the exact same position, so we understand how you feel," and "Seeing that side of you made us understand how much you desire to debut." The emotional distance between the four quickly closed.
Meanwhile, SAKURA (contestant)
■ What is 'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE'?
'WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE' is a scout project by HYBE × Geffen Records, a collaboration between HYBE, which has produced numerous global artists including BTS, and Geffen Records, one of the world's largest music companies under Universal Music Group. This project aims for a full-scale entry into the global market. For this project, HYBE × Geffen Records' top scout team visited Japan to conduct a large-scale audition across the country. Together with EMILY, LEXIE, and SAMARA, who participated as trainees in 'The Debut: Dream Academy', the project seeks to discover "only one artist" in Japan who will become the final member of a new global girl group debuting from HYBE × Geffen Records in 2026.
The studio cast for this project includes Rino Sashihara, Hikorohi, SAKURA and KAZUHA from the globally active five-member girl group LE SSERAFIM, affiliated with HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABELS' SOURCE MUSIC, and MOKA and IROHA from the five-member girl group ILLIT, affiliated with HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABELS' BELIFT LAB. This豪華 cast will watch over the growth and decisive moments of the participants who are challenging their dreams.
In #11, broadcast on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the results of the interim judging were finally announced, and two individuals were selected to advance to the final judging. The two who successfully secured a spot as finalists were AYANA, who possesses overwhelming skill, and 16-year-old SAKURA, who shows remarkable growth from no experience.
AOI and RINKA, who were unfortunately eliminated at this stage, tearfully expressed their gratitude for the audition, vowed for each other's future, and began their journey home. To AOI and RINKA, SAKURA (LE SSERAFIM) offered words of encouragement, saying, "I believe in fate, and you never know where your flower will bloom. So, don't give up, and I hope you continue to seek out various connections in your life from now on."
Meanwhile, AYANA and SAKURA, who successfully earned their tickets to the final judging, exchanged a spirited hug and are now set to face each other as formidable rivals in the final battle for the single debut spot.
For 10 days leading up to the final judging, the two will finally join the three debut members (EMILY, LEXIE, SAMARA) and begin joint lessons. The challenge songs for the final judging, to be performed in front of 200 audience members, have been decided: AYANA will perform 'WE RIDE', and SAKURA will perform 'PARTY b4 the PARTY'. Rino Sashihara in the studio commented, "You won't know until they mix with the three," and Hikorohi added, "Finally, what will happen when they perform with those three?" LE SSERAFIM's SAKURA also held her breath, saying, "What will happen...?" as the two faced an unprecedented high wall.
AYANA, witnessing the overwhelming aura of the original performers, faced the conflicting challenges of "maintaining her individuality while blending in with everyone." Coach Nikki also pointed out, "She's too focused on herself and lacks awareness of blending in with others." Meanwhile, SAKURA struggled with the full-length, highly difficult choreography and a lack of vocal intensity. Coach Nikki gave her a harsh evaluation, saying, "Looking only at you, I feel you don't fit this group."
Deeply troubled by the dilemma between "fitting into the team" and "expressing individuality," AYANA was pushed to her limits. She had always controlled her emotions, conditioning herself to "smile because she passed," but suddenly, in front of the three debut members, the tension snapped, and tears overflowed. In response to AYANA's vulnerability, EMILY and the others warmly empathized, saying, "We were in the exact same position, so we understand how you feel," and "Seeing that side of you made us understand how much you desire to debut." The emotional distance between the four quickly closed.
Meanwhile, SAKURA (contestant)