"WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE" #12 (Final Episode) Tonight, the "FINAL PIECE" will finally be decided - Free broadcast on "ABEMA" from 8 PM on Tuesday, May 12

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"ABEMA," the new future TV, will free broadcast the final episode of the audition program "WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE," a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records to discover Japan's top talent for a global debut in 2026, starting from 8 PM on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

"WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE" #12 (Final Episode) Preview Video

What is "WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE"?

"WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE" is a scout project undertaken by HYBE and Geffen Records, which have joined forces to make a full-fledged entry into the global market. HYBE has produced numerous global artists including BTS, and Geffen Records is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, one of the world's largest music companies. For this project, HYBE × Geffen Records' top scout team visited Japan to conduct a large-scale audition across the country. Together with Emily (EMILY), Lexie (LEXIE), and Samara (SAMARA), who participated as trainees in "The Debut: Dream Academy," they will discover the "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, as well as SAKURA and KAZUHA from the globally active 5-member girl group LE SSERAFIM, belonging to HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABELS' SOURCE MUSIC, and MOKA and IROHA from the 5-member girl group ILLIT, belonging to HYBE MUSIC GROUP LABELS' BELIFT LAB. This luxurious cast will watch over the growth and decision-making moments of the participants who are challenging their dreams.

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In tonight's #12 (final episode), AYANA and SAKURA, who became the final candidates in the culmination of the audition that lasted approximately one year, will perform their last stage in front of an audience of about 200 people. The stage is a live house where many top artists have performed. Furthermore, the global girl group KATSEYE, a Grammy-nominated act, will make a surprise appearance to cheer on the candidates, making for a spectacular finale suitable for the final battle.

The two contestants, one a young challenger who grew rapidly from no experience and the other a veteran with about 10 years of experience, possess completely different charms and will take on the final stage for the single spot to be "globally active." In the studio, Rino Sashihara struggled, saying, "How do we choose?!" and LE SSERAFIM's KAZUHA commented, "I want to see both. I want them both to be rewarded," indicating a difficult selection process. Who will be the one chosen in the end?

Comments have also arrived from Hikorohee, who has watched over the candidates' long challenge as a studio cast member of this program.

Regarding the reactions and responses from those around her since the program started, she commented, "Many people in the industry have told me they're watching. I'm surprised that even people I wouldn't expect are secretly watching. Also, when I walk around Shibuya and Harajuku, young people now say, 'I'm watching Waseka!' (short for WORLD SCOUT). I feel a huge response every day."

She also expressed her respect for the candidates regarding the program's appeal, saying, "It's the moments where you get to see fragments of the precious time and experiences of girls chasing their dreams. They are desperate and earnest, so sometimes moments they wouldn't want to show are captured. I wanted to watch with great respect for their determination to expose even those moments."

And regarding tonight's final episode, she offered, "Everyone probably has their favorites. Since it's an environment where it's either win or lose, I think fans have various feelings. But what I don't want you to forget is that every girl poured her heart and soul into doing her best to achieve her dreams. Whether they win or lose, their vast lives will continue. I believe there's a way you, who have watched their journey on Waseka, can support them, so please, as a fan, be the light in their continuing lives."

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