# &Audition – The Howling

&Audition – The Howling – is a Japanese and South Korean reality competition program that follows the formation and debut of the first boy group under HYBE Labels Japan.
In the live finale on September 3, 2022, the nine members of &TEAM were revealed. They debuted on December 7, 2022.

## Program synopsis

&Audition – The Howling – A 60-minute, uncut version of the show where 15 trainees move forward together towards their dreams; a documentary-style program where various performances and stories unfold as they aim for debut.
* Hulu Japan (Japan), Hybe Labels Youtube (Global): every Saturday at 1:30PM JST starting on July 9, 2022 (Episodes 1-7)
&Audition – The Howling – Final Round
* Hybe Labels Youtube (Global), Hulu Japan (Japan): 4PM JST live broadcast from Tokyo on September 3, 2022 (Episode 8); two-hour special
* Nippon TV (Japan): 4-5PM JST; one-hour special
&Audition – Live – A shorter 30-minute version of the show, serving as support to the main broadcast, where MCs and an audience watch together with viewers.
* Nippon TV (Japan): 12:59AM every Thursday starting on July 14, 2022

## Background

On January 1, 2021, it was announced that Big Hit Japan would launch the "Big Hit Japan Global Debut Project" to search for artists to debut as a group in Japan and become active worldwide. Former I-Land contestants K, Nicholas, EJ and Taki were to take part as confirmed members of the group, joined by additional trainees determined through an audition program called "&Audition".
On March 19, Big Hit Entertainment re-branded and re-structured into HYBE Corporation, whereby Hybe Labels Japan would now be involved in the program and group's debut. On the same day, an official Twitter account under the name "&AUDITION Boys" was launched for the four confirmed group members. On April 26, 2021, K and EJ made a cameo in the music video for Enhypen's "Drunk-Dazed". On November 4, Hybe Labels Japan shared that the "&Audition" program would begin airing in 2022.
On January 18, 2022, Hybe Labels Japan announced the opening of YouTube channel "&Audition Boys", and various videos and vlogs were uploaded. On March 9, the program was revealed to be titled &Audition – The Howling, and broadcast would start in July 2022 as the first phase of the Global Debut Project. On May 30, the program's official website and social media accounts were opened, as well as the details of its broadcast date. On June 4, themed profile photos of the 15 participating trainees were revealed. The signal song for the program, "The Final Countdown", and its music video were released on June 28.

## Producers

Special Advisor
* Bang Si-hyuk
Mentors
* Pdogg
* Son Sung-deuk
Performance Director
* Sakura Inoue
Producer and Sound Director
* Soma Genda
Special Producers
* Ryosuke Imai
* Scooter Braun
* Zico
Producer information from the official &Audition website.

### Special Guests

* Enhypen (Episodes 1 and 8)
* Tomorrow X Together (Episode 6)
* Seventeen (Video message; Episodes 3 and 4)
* BTS (Video message; Episode 6)
* RM (Episode 8)

## Contestants

Color key:
15 contestants :
| K (ケイ) | Nicholas (ニコラス) | EJ (ウィジュ) | Taki (タキ) | Jo (ジョウ) |
| Harua (ハルア) | Maki (マキ) | Yuma (ユウマ) | Fuma (フウマ) | Gaku (ガク) |
| Hikaru (ヒカル) | Junwon (ジュンウォン) | Hayate (ハヤテ) | Yejun (イェジュン) | Minhyung (ミニョン) |

## Profile

A total of 15 trainees participated in the show—four confirmed members, who were previously contestants on the South Korean boy group survival reality show I-Land, and 11 new trainees.
| | Name | Japanese | Nationality | Prefecture / City | Date of Birth | Age | Before &Audition |
| Debut Trainees | K | ケイ | Japan | Tokyo | 21 October 1997 | 24 | Former marathon athlete and I-Land contestant; trained at EXPG Tokyo |
| Debut Trainees | Nicholas | ニコラス | Taiwan | Taipei | 9 July 2002 | 19 | B-boy and former I-Land contestant |
| Debut Trainees | EJ | ウィジュ | South Korea | Goyang | 7 September 2002 | 19 | Former Big Hit Music trainee, fencing athlete and I-Land contestant |
| Debut Trainees | Taki | タキ | Japan | Unknown | 4 May 2005 | 17 | Background in locking, former I-Land contestant |
| Trainees | Fuma | フウマ | Japan | Shizuoka | 29 June 1998 | 23 | Dancer, backup dancer, former n.cH trainee until 2019, Produce 101 Japan season 2 contestant (withdrew before program aired in early 2021) |
| Trainees | Hayate | ハヤテ | Japan | Hyogo | 25 January 2001 | 21 | Appeared on JTBC's Stage K in 2019; ModelPress Mr High School Boy contestant in 2017 |
| Trainees | Junwon | ジュンウォン | South Korea | Jeonju | 21 April 2003 | 19 | Former trainee of iMe Korea and Biscuit Entertainment |
| Trainees | Yuma | ユウマ | Japan | Hyogo | 7 February 2004 | 18 | Former Johnny's trainee under Kansai Johnny's Jr from 2012; former Avex trainee from 2015 to 2018 |
| Trainees | Gaku | ガク | Japan | Nagano | 25 April 2004 | 18 | |
| Trainees | Jo | ジョウ | Japan | Kanagawa | 8 July 2004 | 17 | Junon Superboy Contest 2020 finalist, dropped out before finals presumably to become a trainee; basketball player |
| Trainees | Hikaru (Haku) | ヒカル | Japan | Gunma | 28 March 2005 | 17 | Ballet background; 2020 Japan Seifuku School Uniform Award winner |
| Trainees | Harua | ハルア | Japan | Nagano | 1 May 2005 | 17 | Formerly signed to Stardust Promotion new talent division |
| Trainees | Maki | マキ | Japan / Germany | Unknown | 17 February 2006 | 16 | Musical theatre background; previously part of a musical theatre company |
| Trainees | Minhyung | ミニョン | South Korea | Seoul | 27 January 2007 | 15 | Former Big Hit Music trainee |
| Trainees | Yejun | イェジュン | South Korea | Seoul | 28 April 2007 | 15 | Former Big Hit Music trainee, child actor; appeared in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and Arthdal Chronicles |
Note: Profile information from the official &Audition website, and ages based on the international age system and date of release (June 2022).

## Concept

Each round has a mission involving both an interim check and a performance. The trainees will be judged on vocal ability, performance and a special criteria that will change with each round. Based on evaluations of their performances, the trainees earn a certain number of &BALLs to fill the &RING. Only if they fill the &RING after four rounds can everyone advance to the final round; if they fail to fill the &RING, the planned group's debut may be cancelled.

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Original release date |
| 1 | "Episode 1" | July 9, 2022 (2022-07-09) |
| &Audition – The Howling is first introduced by Bang Si-hyuk as a project in which debut trainees K, Nicholas, EJ and Taki will be joined by newly selected members to debut as Hybe Labels Japan's first boy group. The show begins with the four meeting Enhypen and then the other 11 trainees. All are then presented with their first task, the "Signal Song Mission". The meanings of &BALL and &RING are revealed and the episode documents the trials and hardships the trainees face while practicing for their first performance as a group. |||
| 2 | "Episode 2" | July 16, 2022 (2022-07-16) |
| The second mission is the "Concept Mission". The songs are revealed and the trainees are divided into different teams, each group being led by one debut trainee. EJ's team receives a disappointing feedback in the interim check; they also travel to Busan and go to a seiro-mushi restaurant before their performance to spend time off and discuss ways to improve. |||
| 3 | "Episode 3" | July 23, 2022 (2022-07-23) |
| Team Nicholas re-charge at an ocean-side grilled eel restaurant while K's team visit a night market in Busan and try various street food. Team K meets a hurdle as a member is unable to participate and they must re-practice with new formations and positions days before the final performance. Nicholas' team show a powerful performance, while Taki's team challenge a performance involving modern dance. Seventeen makes an appearance to reveal the trainees' third mission. |||
| 4 | "Episode 4" | July 30, 2022 (2022-07-30) |
| After the mission for Round 3 is revealed, the 15 trainees get together in their teams to practice. They must pick a leader and choose a team name. The groups work together through practice and interim checks while getting closer. Seventeen delivers a special mission to the trainees where there will be a "variety contest" to give them a chance to earn additional &BALLs. The trainees go outdoors to a lodge where they open up to each other and talk about what has been on their minds. They also receive surprise special messages from afar. |||
| 5 | "Episode 5" | August 6, 2022 (2022-08-06) |
| Round 3 shows the trainee teams as they make their through an interim check at a special venue, rehearsals and a final performance, set on a stage that is larger than they anticipated. The trainees are tasked with completing the Seventeen Legendary Mission, covering three songs which they must also self-choreograph. In contrast to other rounds, the trainees learn that the number of &BALLs they receive will be announced live after each performance in the presence of the producers and other trainees. |||
| 6 | "Episode 6" | August 13, 2022 (2022-08-13) |
| The trainees learn about their progress filling &RING and the mission for Round 4, the BTS mission. They look over the songs at their dorm, which is shown for the first time. Days later, a surprise mission is announced, and only the winning team will receive a benefit. Tomorrow X Together visits with advice for the winning team, and the trainees have a meal together. After the interim check, the trainees hear a shocking announcement about the &BALLs they will receive. On the day of performances, BTS sends a special message of support. |||
| 7 | "Episode 7" | August 20, 2022 (2022-08-20) |
| Round 4 begins, and unlike previous missions, each team must prepare two performances; one focused on vocals, and the other on dance. If they cannot earn enough &BALLs in this round, the trainees will not be able advance to the final round. The trainees practice and receive interim evaluations before performing. They discover whether they can completely fill the &RING. At the end, they find out how many members will be in the final lineup. There is an announcement about how the debut group will be decided and the live broadcast details for the final episode. |||
| 8 | "Final Round" | September 3, 2022 (2022-09-03) |
| The trainees perform two newly revealed songs for the final round, as well as "The Final Countdown" together for the last time. Producers, special producers and guests give encouragement and advice. The debut members are announced, and their group name is revealed by Bang Si-hyuk. |||

## Missions
### Round 1: Group signal song mission

* Episode 1
All trainees perform the theme song "The Final Countdown" together. The special criterion is teamwork.
Minhyung was unable to participate.

### Round 2: Concept mission

* Episodes 2 and 3
K, EJ, Nicholas and Taki all become leaders to four teams and prepare performances with four different concepts. The special criterion is each team's chemistry.
Junwon was unable to participate for health reasons.
| Episode | Song | Team Leader | Team Members |
| 2 | TXT－"Blue Hour (Japanese ver.)" | EJ | Fuma, Harua, Yejun |
| 3 | Monsta X－"Hero (Japanese ver.)" | Nicholas | Gaku, Hayate |
| 3 | TVXQ－"Something (Japanese ver.)" | K | Jo, Minhyung |
| 3 | Taemin－"Sayonara Hitori" | Taki | Maki, Hikaru, Yuma |

### Round 3: Seventeen legendary mission

* Episodes 4 and 5
The trainees split into three teams and perform songs by Seventeen. They are tasked with creating original choreography, interpreting the songs in their own styles, and contributing to the design of their stage outfits. The special criterion is creativity.
| Episode | Song | Group Name | Team Leader | Team Members |
| 5 | "Call Call Call!" | C Riders | Fuma | Nicholas, Junwon, Minhyung, Yejun |
| 5 | "Home;Run (Japanese Ver.)" | Full Count | Gaku | EJ, Jo, Harua, Maki |
| 5 | "Oh My! (Japanese Ver.)" | Wang Wang | Hayate | K, Taki, Hikaru, Yuma |

### Round 4: BTS mission

* Episodes 6 and 7
The trainees are divided into two teams. Each team is tasked with performing two BTS songs, one of which is a different arrangement to the original. The fourth round has two evaluations: one centered on vocals, and another solely on performance.
| Episode | Vocal Song | Performance Song Remix | Team | Trainees |
| 7 | "Film Out" | "Run" | A | Nicholas, EJ, Harua, Hayate, Jo, Junwon, Yuma |
| 7 | "Lights" | "Black Swan" | B | K, Taki, Fuma, Gaku, Hikaru, Maki, Minhyung, Yejun |

### Final Round

* Episode 8
Junwon performed "Running with the Pack" while seated due to injury.
| Episode | Original Song | Debut Trainees | Trainees |
| 8 | "Melody" | K, Nicholas, EJ, Taki | Gaku, Yejun, Harua, Hayate, Hikaru |
| 8 | "Running with the Pack" | K, Nicholas, EJ, Taki | Fuma, Jo, Junwon, Maki, Minhyung, Yuma |

## Final results

K, Nicholas, EJ and Taki's debut was officially confirmed after Round 4. The remaining five members were decided by a combination of criteria: producer evaluation (40%), special producer evaluation (30%), preliminary global voting (20%), and final live voting (10%).

### Result

The finale was broadcast live on September 3, 2022 from Tokyo. Bang Si-hyuk announced the name of the newly formed boy group to be &Team.
Episode 8 :
| # | Name | Nationality |
| N/A | K | Japan |
| N/A | Nicholas | Taiwan |
| N/A | EJ | South Korea |
| N/A | Taki | Japan |
| 1 | Jo | Japan |
| 2 | Harua | Japan |
| 3 | Maki | Japan / Germany |
| 4 | Yuma | Japan |
| 5 | Fuma | Japan |

#### Full Results

| Rank | Contestant | Producer Evaluation Score | Special Guest Evaluation Score | Preliminary Global Evaluation Score | Final Global Evaluation Score | Comprehensive Evaluation Total Score |
| 1 | Jo | 24 | 26 | 20 | 6 | 76 |
| 2 | Harua | 31 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 72 |
| 3 | Maki | 36 | 25 | 6 | 3 | 70 |
| 4 | Yuma | 32 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 70 |
| 5 | Fuma | 22 | 19 | 18 | 7 | 66 |
| 6 | Gaku | 23 | 12 | 16 | 5 | 56 |
| 7 | Hikaru | 17 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 45 |
| 8 | Junwon | 19 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 44 |
| 9 | Hayate | 10 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 26 |
| 10 | Yejun | 3 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| 11 | Minhyung | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 11 |

## Discography
### Singles

| Title | Year | Peak positions | Album |
| Title | Year | JPN | Album |
| "The Final Countdown" | 2022 | — | Non-album single |
| "Melody" | 2022 | — | Non-album single |
| "Running with the Pack" | 2022 | — | Non-album single |

## Related content and spin-offs

| Title | Release date | Notes | Duration |
| 'The Final Countdown' Official MV Shoot Sketch | Jul 5 2022 | | |
| 'The Final Countdown' Dance Practice | Jul 11 2022 | | |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - #1 Behind Sketch | Jul 12 2022 | Behind the scenes footage of Episode 1 of the program. | |
| [&AUDITION] Mafia Dance Game | Jul 15 2022 | &AUDITION villagers must catch the four werewolves hiding among them. | <20 minutes |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - #2 Behind Sketch | Jul 17 2022 | | |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - Balance Game | Jul 19 2022 | Individual quiz choice game | Short-form |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - #3 Behind Sketch | Jul 24 2022 | | |
| [&AUDITION] Protect the king! | Jul 29 2022 | Eliminate other team's king before they eliminate yours. | <20 minutes |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - #4 Behind Sketch | Jul 31 2022 | | |
| [&AUDITION] Pictionary | Aug 4 2022 | Groups of trainees guess the hidden trainee through hints by painting portraits | ~5 minutes |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - #5 Behind Sketch | Aug 7 2022 | | |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - Press Conference Behind | Aug 11 2022 | Behind the scenes of the Tokyo press conference held in early July. | |
| [&AUDITION] &MISSION in SNACK BAR | Aug 12 2022 | Three videos of five trainee groups playing games to win popular Japanese snacks. | <12 minutes |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - #6 Behind Sketch | Aug 16 2022 | | |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - Trainee lookbook | Aug 18 2022 | Individual outfit videos | Short-form |
| Hulu Masterpiece Theater '&AUDITION -The Howling-' | Aug 21 2022 | Hulu Japan exclusive | <40 minutes |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - #7 Behind Sketch | Aug 21 2022 | | |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - Surprise Fan Event Part 1 | Aug 24 2022 | Hulu Japan exclusive | |
| &AUDITION - The Howling - Surprise Fan Event Part 2 | Aug 24 2022 | Weverse live exclusive | |
| [&AUDITION] Mission of &DESTINY | Aug 26 2022 | Completing missions determines their destiny in how and when they go home | <20 minutes |
| &AUDITION -The Howling - Only on Hulu #1 | Aug 27 2022 | Hulu Japan exclusive; blind-folded member guessing game | <10 minutes |
| &AUDITION -The Howling - Only on Hulu #2 | Aug 28 2022 | Hulu Japan exclusive; ishin-denshin telepathy posing game | <10 minutes |
| &AUDITION -The Howling - Only on Hulu #3 | Aug 29 2022 | Hulu Japan exclusive; blind-folded pillow fight game | <15 minutes |
| [&AUDITION] JAPAN SUMMER VACATION Part 1 | Aug 29 2022 | While in Tokyo practising for the Final Round, trainees go on a trip. | <20 minutes |
| [&AUDITION] JAPAN SUMMER VACATION Part 2 | Aug 30 2022 | Trainees prepare a barbecue and share their &AUDITION memories. | <20 minutes |
| &STORY - K, FUMA | Sept 24 2022 | Interviews with &TEAM looking back on &AUDITION. Hulu Japan exclusive. | <20 minutes |
| &STORY - NICHOLAS | Oct 1 2022 | Interviews with &TEAM looking back on &AUDITION. Hulu Japan exclusive. | <20 minutes |
| &STORY - EJ | Oct 8 2022 | Interviews with &TEAM looking back on &AUDITION. Hulu Japan exclusive. | <20 minutes |
| &STORY - YUMA | Oct 15 2022 | Interviews with &TEAM looking back on &AUDITION. Hulu Japan exclusive. | <20 minutes |
| &STORY - JO | Oct 22 2022 | Interviews with &TEAM looking back on &AUDITION. Hulu Japan exclusive. | <20 minutes |
| &STORY - HARUA | Oct 29 2022 | Interviews with &TEAM looking back on &AUDITION. Hulu Japan exclusive. | <20 minutes |
| &STORY - TAKI, MAKI | Nov 5 2022 | Interviews with &TEAM looking back on &AUDITION. Hulu Japan exclusive. | <20 minutes |
| &TEAM Gakuen | Nov 12 2022 | &TEAM's first variety and talk show showing aspects leading up to their debut. | |
Note: All content was released on the HYBE LABELS+ Youtube channel, unless otherwise stated, while shorter content was re-posted on multiple social media platforms.

## Aftermath

* &TEAM officially debuted on December 7, 2022 with the extended play First Howling: Me.
* On November 21, 2022, &Team released their debut song, "Under the Skin" and released their debut extended play on December 7, 2022.
* On August 21, 2023. Gaku and Hikaru were revealed to have become debut members for an unrevealed group on the HYBE+ Youtube channel. On September 24, 2023, social media accounts named '24kumi'/(Japanese: 24組) were opened in affiliation with Hybe Labels Japan; Gaku and Hikaru who had changed his stage name to Haku, were introduced along with other trainees.
* Some trainees participated in other survival shows:
** Yoo Jun-won participated in MBC's "Fantasy Boys" ranked 1st at the finals, and was expected to debut as a member of FANTASY BOYS in late 2023 under PocketDol Studio. However, he left the debut lineup on August 23, 2023 following several disagreements Junwon and his parents had with PocketDol Studio regarding his contract. Junwon ultimately lost the lawsuit, however Fantasy Boys continued their activities without him.
** Haku & Gaku are set to compete in Oen-High (HYBE Label Japan’s Survival Show) as contestants with 9 other members.
* Some trainees debuted in new groups:
** Hayate debuted in YK Entertainment under their boy group called Wild Blue.
* Some trainees opened social media accounts:
** Kim Min-hyung opened a now-deactivated personal Tiktok account
** Hayate opened now-deactivated social media accounts.