Over 7,000 Applicants Worldwide... The Experience of Being Told "You Can't Make It Because You're Not Pretty" Resonates with Generation Z [Japan Insight]

Debuted Through the "No No Girls" Audition: HANA
Emphasizing No Self-Hate and No Laziness Over Appearance
Breaking Idol Taboos and Captivating Gen Z

"Height, weight, and age are not required. Show us your voice and your life."

It's hard to believe this is the slogan for a girl group audition. However, the Japanese idol group "HANA," who debuted through this audition, ranked No. 1 in the sales category for rookies in the annual Oricon chart on January 9. At the end of last year, they were also selected as one of the most talked-about figures for 2025 by Japan's Generation Z. Furthermore, the producer who broke the long-standing conventions of the idol industry is none other than Chanmina, a Japanese-Korean rapper. Today, we share the story of HANA, the group that has shaken up Japan's Generation Z.

The Japanese idol group "HANA," who debuted through the audition program "NoNoGirls." Official website.

Over 7,000 Applicants Worldwide as Appearance and Age Are Not Considered

HANA is the debut group formed through the Japanese girl group audition "No No Girls," which was held over approximately three months starting in October 2024. The audition was organized by Japanese entertainment agency BMSG and rapper Chanmina. It followed a format similar to Korea's popular audition program "Produce 101," where contestants advance through rounds and the final debut group is selected from those who survive. With the bold slogan that appearance and age do not matter, and with no restrictions on nationality, nearly 7,000 people from inside and outside Japan applied.

The reason for this slogan stems from the producer's own past. Although Chanmina is now a well-known rapper who collaborates with Korean artists, there was a time when she thought, "With my appearance and voice, it's impossible for me to become an idol," and almost gave up on becoming a singer. Her own talents were denied simply because of conditions like appearance.

Korean page of the Japanese audition program 'Nonogirls'. Official website of Nonogirls.

Instead, the program emphasized three other "No's": "No fake" (be genuine), "No laze" (work hard without laziness), and "No hate" (affirm yourself instead of harboring hate). In the audition process, this translated into rules such as no lip-syncing, no lying in lyrics, and no self-deprecation. Judges would often tell contestants who lost confidence during the audition, "Don't point fingers at yourself," and "It's okay to stop blaming yourself now."

As a result, the ten finalists who reached the last round shared their experiences: "I used to think music wasn't something I could achieve just by working hard, but looking back, I realized it was simply a lack of time and effort," "I started to love myself. It was the most intense time of my life," and "Having always been told I couldn't do it, I was able to stand on this amazing stage." You can see how their self-doubt transformed into self-affirmation.

Breaking Taboos and Gaining Popularity... Continued Success After Debut

The audition itself was a huge hit. At the final selection held in January last year, simultaneous online viewers exceeded 560,000, and the Yokohama K-Arena, where the event took place, was packed with 20,000 spectators, highlighting their immense popularity.

Thus, the group debuted with six Japanese members and one Korean member. The group name, "HANA," means "flower" in Japanese. Chanmina explained, "Everyone worked so hard and bloomed beautifully, so that's why I chose this name," adding, "We want to create a flower that never withers together." Member Chima had been singing, dancing, and rapping since she was five but struggled with self-confidence. The Korean member and oldest, Jisoo, possessed outstanding vocal skills but tended to push herself to the limit. Another member, Momoka, was an excellent rapper but felt insecure about her low-pitched voice not fitting the idol image, yet she turned this into her strength and succeeded in debuting.

HANA's second single 'Blue Jeans' album cover. Official website.

It was Japan's Generation Z who were most moved by this story. The Japanese High School Newspaper surveyed 2,213 high school students nationwide about the "most talked-about figures for 2025," and HANA was among those named. Responses included, "Each member has a unique personality," and "Their positive confidence, which removes all the 'No's' we've heard so far, empowers even their fans." Recently, the group held several interviews with various media outlets to mark their first anniversary, and their rise has drawn attention from entertainment media as well.

Japanese entertainment media Real Sound analyzed, "The factor that propelled them to stardom was none other than the power of empathy," adding, "The message of loving yourself as you are has resonated with many people. This is because idol culture has long been bound by values that favor lovable and beautiful appearances and obedient attitudes."

The outlet continued, "HANA has been breaking down that wall since the audition. They will undoubtedly become a great source of hope for those struggling with their own complexes."

In the midst of an idol culture that has long prioritized standardized criteria like appearance and age, HANA has sent the message that there are other possibilities. Perhaps the reason Generation Z is so enthusiastic is that the group challenges the generational narrative of "What do you know?" and the social atmosphere that has favored stability over challenge, suggesting that these are not the only answers.