HYBE is stepping into the J-pop scene with serious fire. The label’s rookie boy group 'aoen' has officially revealed its 7 debut members, and they’re ready to set the stage ablaze.

On April 23, YX Labels announced that YUJU, RUKA, HAKU, SOTA, KYOSUKE, GAKU, and REO have made the final cut after months of fierce competition on the audition show '応援-HIGH ~Yume no START LINE~' aired on Nihon TV. Five members—YUJU, RUKA, HAKU, SOTA, and KYOSUKE—secured their spots during the final live stage. GAKU and REO joined the team thanks to massive viewer support via post-show fan voting, with over 500,000 votes cast!

Fan-favorite GAKU, who received a stunning 210,000+ votes, shared: “I won’t forget this gratitude. I’ll work hard to be an artist loved by many.” REO, nicknamed the “Smiley Angel” for his fresh visuals and emotional stage presence, added: “I’ll do my best to show my best self as an aoen member.”

Fans may recognize GAKU from &AUDITION – The Howling -, where he left a mark despite not making the final cut. His positivity and charisma make him the mood-maker of the team. HAKU, another &AUDITION alum, returned stronger this time, blending ballet-trained physicality with a soft, emotional vocal tone that wowed judges.

YUJU, the group’s oldest and the official “visual,” stood out for his commanding stage presence and expressive dance. RUKA, a lifelong performer who started chasing his dream at age 4, showed unstoppable passion with 17 years of dance training under his belt.

SOTA, the group's fastest-rising talent, may have had the shortest trainee period, but his growth throughout the audition was nothing short of impressive. And KYOSUKE, the all-rounder since age 5, already has a national dance championship to his name. With strong skills in vocals, visuals, and dance, he’s got the full package.

The group’s fandom name? aoring — a fusion of “ao” (blue) and “ring,” symbolizing the powerful bond between fans and artists, like a never-ending circle of shared passion and joy. Fans can already connect with the group via their official website, fan club membership, and global Weverse community.

The name 'aoen' itself comes from the image of the bluest, hottest flame — a metaphor for the group’s fiery ambition and energy. YX Labels promised, “aoen is ready to lead the next generation of J-pop. We hope fans everywhere will support their journey from day one.”

[Photo Credit: XY LABLES]