HYBE Completes New 4-Member Girl Group – Debuting in the Second Half of the Year

SAINT SATINE members Emily, Lexi, Sakura, and Samara (from left). Photo | HYBE-Geffen Records

SAINT SATINE

HYBE-Geffen Records announced the final lineup of the 4-member girl group SAINT SATINE in episode 12 of ‘World Scout: The Final Piece,’ which was released through the Japanese OTT platform ABEMA on the 12th. Following Emily, Lexi, and Samara—who came from ‘The Debut: Dream Academy,’ the program that produced the global girl group KATSEYE—Sakura joined as the last member after overcoming a 14,000 to 1 competition, completing the team.

The final stage was filled with intense tension from the very beginning. Sakura took the stage for the new song ‘PARTY b4 the PARTY’ alongside the three members whose debuts were already confirmed. When she perfectly executed a high-difficulty split (a movement where you quickly spread your legs straight and press them to the floor) that was said to have required hundreds of practices, cheers erupted from the audience. Sakura's confident expression and relaxed groove were enough to overwhelm the stage. HxG Senior Creator Son Seong-deuk praised her, saying, “The moment Sakura-ssi (bursting forward in the performance formation) came out, I felt a thrill. It seems she has not only reached stardom but also the level where she can explode it.”

Ayana's ‘WE RIDE’ performance was also formidable. Rather than technique, her solid foundation built up over time stood out. Both her movements and pitch were unwavering, and the way she dominated the stage was also impressive. HxG Representative Mitra Darap evaluated, “She delivered her swag well to the audience and looked like she was enjoying the stage.”

After the stages, which were difficult to distinguish in quality, the judges' deliberations deepened. Between Sakura, who proved explosive growth and stardom, and Ayana, who showed high perfection and stability, the choice was not easy. Senior Creator Son Seong-deuk conveyed the atmosphere of the scene, saying, “I have done many audition programs, but this is the first time the judges' opinions have clashed so fiercely.”

Finally, when Sakura's name was called as the final member, cheers erupted from the audience. Sakura, covering her face with both hands and shedding tears, shared her thoughts: “I wanted to become an artist who shines on the global stage. I am so grateful that my dream has come true.”

Ayana accepted the result calmly. She said, “I still don't want to give up on this dream,” and before leaving the stage, she stroked Sakura's hair and offered encouragement, saying, “Stay strong.”

Senior group KATSEYE also attended the scene to lend support. KATSEYE, who debuted through HYBE-Geffen Records' T&D (Training & Development) system, gave advice: “If you think too much, you cannot enjoy the stage,” and this was incorporated into various parts of the two candidates' final stages, enhancing the quality.

The new girl group's team name has been confirmed as ‘SAINT SATINE.’ Creator Son Seong-deuk explained, “Saint signifies intense charisma and musical presence, while Satine means a soft, elegant, and sophisticated image.” The four members—Emily (USA), Lexi (Sweden), Sakura (Japan), and Samara (Brazil)—held hands and shouted, “The puzzle is complete.” SAINT SATINE plans to embark on full-scale steps toward the global market, aiming for a debut in the second half of this year.