&Audition

&Audition - The Howling (엔오디션- 더 하울링; 2022) is a Japanese audition program created by HYBE Labels Japan to form their new Japanese boy group. The show will broadcast the recruitment of the new members. Four members from I-LAND (Season 1) were confirmed as members prior to the start of the show. They were K, EJ, Ta-ki, and Nicholas. The audition program broadcasted on July 9, 2022 through Nippon TV, Hulu, and YouTube.



The mentors on the show are Bang Si Hyuk (CEO), Pdogg (producer), Son Sung Deuk (performance director), Sakura Inoue (performance director), and Soma Genda (producer).



Summary

• Also known as: andAudition
• Korean name: 엔오디션- 더 하울링
• Japanese name: エンオーディション
• No. of Contestants: 15
• Mentors: Bang Si Hyuk (CEO), Pdogg (producer), Son Sung Deuk (performance director), Sakura Inoue (performance director), and Soma Genda (producer)
• Broadcasted: July 9, 2022

Related: Japan Boy Group, ENHYPEN, I-LAND (Season 1), I-LAND (Season 2).

&Audition - The Howling has a total of 15 contestants born between 1997 and 2008. Four of the members were confirmed as part of the new boy group: K, EJ, Nicholas, and Taki. They were contestants from I-LAND (Season 1), the reality show that formed ENHYPEN.



The oldest contestant is K (born Oct 21, 1997). He was 24 years old at the time of the show. The youngest contestant is Yejun (born Apr 28, 2007). He was 15 years old when the show aired.



The other 11 contestants are: Fuma, Hayate, Junwon, Yuma, Gaku, Jo, Hikaru, Harua, Maki, Minhyung, Yejun.



In terms of nationalities, there are 10 Japanese contestants, 1 Taiwanese (Nicholas), and 4 Korean (Junwon, Yejun, Minhyung, EJ).

Contestants' age ranked from oldest to youngest



*International age as of the end of 2022 (year when the show was broadcasted)

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1) K

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: Oct 21, 1997
• Height: 187 cm (6'2'')
• MBTI: ENFP
• Fun Facts: K is the oldest member in the group. He is a Japan native and ranked #8 in the finale of I-LAND Season 1. His specialty is dancing. He was a trainee for 2 years 8 months prior to joining I-LAND. He was a marathon runner in high school.

2) Fuma

• Birth Name: Murata Fuma
• Native Name: 村田 風雅
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: Jun 29, 1998
• Height:
• Fun Facts: Fuma is a former trainee from n.CH Entertainment. He was also a participant in Produce 101 Japan S2. He started taking musical lessons since the age of 6. He has experience teaching at an academy. One of his best traits is that he is very diligent.

3) Hayate

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: Jan 25, 2001
• Height:
• Fun Facts: Hayate was a participant in K-stage along with Keiju, from JYP Entertainment.

4) Nicholas

• Birth Name: Wang Yixiang
• Native Name: 王奕翔
• Country of Birth: Taiwan
• Birthday: Jul 9, 2002
• Height: 180 cm (5'11")
• Fun Facts: Nicholas is originally from Taipei City, Taiwan. His specialty is dancing. He started breakdancing when he was in high school. He also competed in badminton tournaments. He played during elementary and junior high school and won several competitions.

5) EJ

• Birth Name: Byun Eui Joo
• Native Name: 변의주
• Country of Birth: South Korea
• Birthday: Sep 7, 2002
• Height: 184 cm (6'0'')
• Fun Facts: EJ is from South Korea. He was also a contestant from I-LAND. He was a trainee for 1 year and 6 months prior to joining the reality show. He practiced fencing in middle school. His favorite ice cream is chocolate ice cream. His role model is Yoo Jaesuk.

6) Junwon

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: South Korea
• Birthday: Apr 21, 2003
• Height:
• Fun Facts: He comes off as cute and innocent but once he is on stage, he transforms. He is very expressive and often makes faces when he talks to the other contestants. He thinks he is sexy. He is quite and calm at home but more energetic when he goes out.

7) Yuma

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: Feb 7, 2004
• Height:
• Fun Facts: He is a former member of Avex Artist Academy. He likes creating things like making clothes, creating choreography, and writing songs. He loves clothes and fashion. He started dancing jazz as a kid because his sister was learning first. He has been dancing for 10 years. He loves joking around and telling stories.

8) Gaku

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: Apr 25, 2004
• Height:
• Fun Facts: When he was a child, he would sing in front of his family. He can choreograph. He was a member of his school's relay team since first grade to sixth grade. He took dancing lessons as a kid.

9) Jo

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: Jul 8, 2004
• Height:
• Fun Facts: Jo was a participant in the Junon Superboy contest. He is very passionate about his goals and will give it his all. He has a poker face and is hard to read. He has a refreshing vibe. He has a charming voice. He played basketball from ninth grade in high school. He is one of the tallest contestants.

10) Hikaru

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: Mar 28, 2005
• Height:
• Fun Facts:

11) Harua

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: May 1, 2005
• Height:
• Fun Facts:

12) Taki

• Birth Name: Riki
• Native Name:
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: May 4, 2005
• Height: 171 cm (5'7")
• Fun Facts: Taki was one of the several Japanese contestants from I-LAND. His specialty is locking (dance). He ranked #11 in the reality show. He has been dancing since the age of 10. His personality type is ESFP and his role model is Suga from BTS.

13) Maki

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: Japan
• Birthday: Feb 17, 2006
• Height:
• Fun Facts: He has been taking vocal lessons since third grade. He may not look diligent but he is quite diligent about doing chores around the house. He is actually not very good at games. He is very interested in fashion.

14) Minhyung

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth: South Korea
• Birthday: Jan 27, 2007
• Height:
• Fun Facts:

15) Yejun

• Birth Name:
• Country of Birth:
• Birthday: Apr 28, 2007
• Height:
• Fun Facts: Yejun was a model from SM Entertainment Kids Model First Generation. He was a former child actor. He acted in the 2019 Kdrama Arthdal Chronicles.