HYBE’s New J-Pop Boy Group ‘aoen’ Finalizes 7-Member Lineup Through Nippon TV Audition Show

HYBE’s next-generation J-Pop boy group aoen has officially confirmed its debut lineup, comprising seven passionate and talented members. YX Labels, under HYBE, announced on the 23rd that YUJU, RUKA, HAKU, SOTA, KYOSUKE, GAKU, and REO will debut as the final members of aoen.

The seven members were selected through the Nippon TV audition program, ‘Ouen-HIGH ~Yume no Start Line~‘ (応援-HIGH ~夢のスタートライン~), which was broadcast over two months starting in February. The first five—YUJU, RUKA, HAKU, SOTA, and KYOSUKE—were chosen during the show’s final live performance. GAKU and REO later joined the group through enthusiastic viewer votes, with more than 500,000 votes cast in total.

GAKU, who received over 210,000 votes and ranked first in the poll, expressed gratitude: “I won’t forget this feeling of thankfulness and hope to become an artist loved by many.” REO shared, “As a member of aoen, I’ll continue working hard to show a new side of myself every day.”

GAKU had previously drawn attention by participating in ‘&AUDITION – The Howling -‘, the survival show which formed &TEAM. Despite falling short during that competition, he remained committed and honed his singing and dancing skills to return stronger. With his upbeat personality and humorous charm, he brings positive energy to the group. REO, affectionately nicknamed “Smiling Angel,” captivates audiences with his refreshing high notes and expressive stage presence.

As the ‘visual ace’ and eldest member, YUJU stands out for his emotive delivery and confident performance. RUKA, a lifelong performer who started his artistic journey at age four, won hearts through his relentless dedication and polished dance ability built over 17 years. HAKU, another &AUDITION alum, returned with a vengeance, impressing judges with his ballet-refined physique and delicate vocal tone.

Despite being the newest trainee, SOTA demonstrated remarkable growth throughout the audition series and was recognized for his potential. KYOSUKE, an all-rounder with skills in vocals, dance, and visuals, began dancing at five and had already won national competitions by middle school.

The group’s fandom will be known as aoring, a blend of “ao” (blue) and “ring,” symbolizing a united circle of artists and fans embarking on a special shared journey. Official platforms, including the group’s website, fan club memberships, and a global community page on Weverse, have already been launched to support fan engagement and interaction.

The name ‘aoen’ reflects their burning passion and symbolizes “blue flames,” the hottest type of fire—and a perfect metaphor for their energetic ambition. YX Labels emphasized, “We hope fans will look forward to the journey of aoen as they grow into a defining force of next-gen J-pop.”