About
R U Next?, HYBE's Next Girl Group Debut Project, is a 2023 survival audition program airing on JTBC to select the first girl group under Belift Lab. The girl group would be the 3rd group to debut under HYBE after LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans. The show started airing on YouTube on June 30, 2023.
Auditions for the show were held in September 2021 with over 140,000 applicants.
The final group was announced on September 1, 2023. The name of the 6-member group is I'LL-IT. The top 6 contestants whoi'l became members of I'LL-IT were Yunah, Iroha, Minju, Moka, Youngseo, and Wonhee.
Summary
Related: I'LL-IT, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, ENHYPEN, I-LAND
Trainees and Contestants
R U Next? is composed of 22 female contestants between the ages of 12 and 21. All of the contestants are trainees under Belift Lab. The oldest contestant is Jiwoo (born Oct 30, 2001). She was 21 years old at the time she was competing on the show. The youngest contestant is Ena (Feb 17, 2011). Ena was 12 at the time the show was airing.
Of the 22 contestants, 11 are from South Korea, 7 are from Japan, 2 are Korean-American, and 2 are from Thailand.
Contestants' Ages
Ranked from oldest to youngest.
| No | Contestant | Birthday | Age (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jiwoo | Oct 30, 2001 | 22 |
| 2 | Funa | Mar 28, 2002 | 21 |
| 3 | Moa | Apr 28, 2002 | 21 |
| 4 | Chanelle | Jun 14, 2003 | 20 |
| 5 | Yunah | Jan 15, 2004 | 19 |
| 6 | Minju | May 11, 2004 | 19 |
| 7 | Jeongeun | Aug 25, 2004 | 19 |
| 8 | Moka | Oct 8, 2004 | 19 |
| 9 | Jihyun | Nov 8, 2004 | 19 |
| 10 | Ruka | Feb 10, 2005 | 18 |
| 11 | Yewon | Mar 18, 2005 | 18 |
| 12 | Jeemin | May 8, 2005 | 18 |
| 13 | Hyewon | Oct 5, 2005 | 18 |
| 14 | Youngseo | Nov 13, 2005 | 18 |
| 15 | Yuisa | May 23, 2007 | 16 |
| 16 | Wonhee | Jun 26, 2007 | 16 |
| 17 | Iroha | Feb 4, 2008 | 15 |
| 18 | Haseul | Jan 31, 2008 | 15 |
| 19 | Iris | Apr 26, 2008 | 15 |
| 20 | Himena | May 9, 2008 | 15 |
| 21 | Seoyeon | May 24, 2008 | 15 |
| 22 | Ena | Feb 17, 2011 | 12 |
Contestants' Nationalities
| No | Contestant | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jiwoo | Korean |
| 2 | Funa | Japanese |
| 3 | Moa | Thai |
| 4 | Chanelle | Korean-American |
| 5 | Yunah | Korean |
| 6 | Minju | Korean |
| 7 | Jeongeun | Korean |
| 8 | Moka | Japanese |
| 9 | Jihyun | Korean |
| 10 | Ruka | Japanese |
| 11 | Yewon | Korean |
| 12 | Jeemin | Korean |
| 13 | Hyewon | Korean |
| 14 | Youngseo | Korean |
| 15 | Yuisa | Japanese |
| 16 | Wonhee | Korean |
| 17 | Iroha | Japanese |
| 18 | Haseul | Korean-American |
| 19 | Iris | Thai |
| 20 | Himena | Japanese |
| 21 | Seoyeon | Korean |
| 22 | Ena | Japanese |
Final Ranking
| Ranking | Member |
|---|---|
| 1 | Wonhee |
| 2 | Youngseo |
| 3 | Minju |
| 4 | Iroha |
| 5 | Moka |
| 6 | Yunah |
Eliminations
First Elimination
- Yuisa
Second Elimination
- Ena, Haseul, Iris
Third Elimination
- Moa, Ruka, Yewon
Fourth Elimination
- Funa, Seoyeon, Hyewon
Fifth Elimination
- Chanelle, Jihyun
Final Elimination
- Jiwoo, Jeongeun, Jeemin, Himena
Fun Facts and Trivia
- ENHYPEN was the first boy group that debuted under Belift Lab after the successful first season of I-LAND.
Jiwoo, Funa
1. Jiwoo (eliminated)
Jiwoo is the oldest contestant in the show. She is also the trainee with the longest training time. She loves singing and playing the guitar.
- Stage Name: Jiwoo
- Full Name: Son Ji Woo
- Native Name: 손지우
- Birthday: Oct 30, 2001
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 22
- Height: 166 cm (5'5'')
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- MBTI: ENFP
2. Funa (eliminated)
Funa is a former contestant of the Nizi Project in 2020, the reality show that produced NiziU. She likes taking pictures and reading comic books. Her role model is Sana from Twice.
- Stage Name: Funa
- Full Name: Takaya Funa
- Native Name: 高谷 楓菜
- Birthday: Mar 28, 2002
- Country of Birth: Japan
- Age (2023): 21
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- MBTI: INFP
Moa, Chanelle
3. Moa (eliminated)
Moa is originally from Thailand. She is a former trainee from SM Entertainment and P Nation. She practices Taekwondo. She joined Belift in 2021.
- Stage Name: Moa
- Full Name: Premyuda Meeboonrod
- Native Name: เปรมยุดา มีบุญรอด
- Birthday: Apr 28, 2002
- Country of Birth: Thailand
- Age (2023): 21
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- MBTI: ESFJ
4. Chanelle (eliminated)
Chanelle is a Korean-American trainee. She was born in LA, California, USA. Her dad is American and her mom is Korean.
- Stage Name: Chanelle
- Full Name: Chanelle Moon Thomas
- Native Name: Chanelle Moon Thomas
- Birthday: Jun 14, 2003
- Country of Birth: United States
- Age (2023): 20
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- MBTI: INFJ
Yunah, Minju
5. Yunah (Ranking: 6th)
Yunah loves dogs, walking, riding a bicycle, watching historical dramas, and playing PC games. Her role model is Seulgi from Red Velvet.
- Stage Name: Yunah
- Full Name: Noh Yunah
- Native Name: 노윤아
- Birthday: Jan 15, 2004
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 19
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- MBTI: ENFP
6. Minju (Ranking: 3rd)
Minju is a former trainee from YG Entertainment. She is acquainted with the members of BABYMONSTER. She started training at the age of 15.
- Stage Name: Minju
- Full Name: Park Minju
- Native Name: 박민주
- Birthday: May 11, 2004
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 19
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- MBTI: ISTP
Jeongeun, Moka
7. Jeongeun (eliminated)
Jeongeun is the daughter of actor Ryu Seungryong. She is an actress herself and made her debut in 2016 in the film Love, Lies. She is a former trainee from Source Music.
- Stage Name: Jeongeun
- Full Name: Choi Jeongeun
- Native Name: 최정은
- Birthday: Aug 25, 2004
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 19
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- MBTI: ISTP
8. Moka (Ranking: 5th)
Moka is originally from f*ckuoka, Japan. Her specialty is dancing. She joined HYBE Japan as a trainee.
- Stage Name: Moka
- Full Name: Sakai Moka
- Native Name: さかい もか
- Birthday: Oct 8, 2004
- Country of Birth: Japan
- Age (2023): 19
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- MBTI: ISFP
Jihyun, Ruka
9. Jihyun (eliminated)
Jihyun is a former trainee from HOWZ Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment. She attended Hanlim Multi Art School majoring in acting.
- Stage Name: Jihyun
- Full Name: Choi Jihyun
- Native Name: 최지현
- Birthday: Nov 8, 2004
- Country of Birth: Japan
- Age (2023): 19
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- MBTI: ISFP or ISTP
10. Ruka (eliminated)
Ruka, a Japanese trainee, was previously training under Source Music and Cube Entertainment. She trained alongside LE SSERAFIM members before their debut.
- Stage Name: Ruka
- Full Name: Shimazaki Haruka
- Native Name: 島崎遥香
- Birthday: Feb 10, 2005
- Country of Birth: Japan
- Age (2023): 18
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- MBTI: ISF
Yewon, Jeemin
11. Yewon (eliminated)
Yewon was a vocalist in her high school band. She was also the class president and was known as Captain Son.
- Stage Name: Yewon
- Full Name: Son Yewon
- Native Name: 손예원
- Birthday: Mar 18, 2005
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 18
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- MBTI: ISFJ
12. Jeemin (eliminated)
Jeemin was a Source Music trainee. He loves walking and dogs. She is from Busan.
- Stage Name: Jeemin
- Full Name: Bang Jee Min
- Native Name: 방지민
- Birthday: May 8, 2005
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 18
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- MBTI: INFP
Hyewon, Youngseo
13. Hyewon (eliminated)
Hyewon likes listening to music and dancing. She attended LAMF Dance Academy. Her role model is Seventeen.
- Stage Name: Hyewon
- Full Name: Shin Hye Won
- Native Name: 신혜원
- Birthday: Oct 5, 2005
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 18
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- MBTI: ISFP
14. Youngseo (Ranking: 2nd)
Youngseo is a former trainee from ADOR. She is close to NewJeans' members.
- Stage Name: Youngseo
- Full Name: Lee Young Seo
- Native Name: 이영서
- Birthday: Nov 13, 2005
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 18
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- MBTI: ESTJ
Yuisa, Wonhee
15. Yuisa (eliminated)
Yuisa is a former model from Nagasaki, Japan. She was a performer under the Japanese idol group GOLHAF.
- Stage Name: Yuisa
- Full Name: YUisa
- Native Name:
- Birthday: May 23, 2007
- Country of Birth: Japan
- Age (2023): 16
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- MBTI: ISFJ
16. Wonhee (Ranking: 1st)
Wonhee is from Namyangju Geonggi, South Korea. She loves badminton and dislikes Math. She was the head of sports at her school.
- Stage Name: Wonhee
- Full Name: Lee Won Hee
- Native Name: 이원히
- Birthday: June 26, 2007
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 16
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- MBTI:
Iroha, Haseul
17. Iroha (Ranking: 4th)
Iroha is from Japan and was a trainee under JYP Entertainment. She loves tiramisu and listening to music.
- Stage Name: Iroha
- Full Name: Hokazono Iroha
- Native Name: 外園 いろは
- Birthday: Feb 4, 2008
- Country of Birth: Japan
- Age (2023): 15
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- MBTI: ISFP
18. Haseul (eliminated)
Haseul is Korean-American. She started as a model. She loves fruits, dogs, listening to music, the color green, and taking walks.
- Stage Name: Haseul
- Full Name: Choi Haseul
- Native Name: 최하슬
- Birthday: Jan 31, 2008
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 15
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- MBTI: ENFP
Iris, Himena
19. Iris (eliminated)
Iris is originally from Thailand. She loves amusem*nt parks, walking movies, and milk tea. She danced competitively and won a gold medal at a Latin dance competition.
- Stage Name: Iris
- Full Name: p*rnkanok Niyomwanit
- Native Name: พรกนก นิยมวานิช
- Birthday: Apr 26, 2008
- Country of Birth: Thailand
- Age (2023): 15
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- MBTI: ENFP
20. Himena (eliminated)
Himena is originally from Okinawa, Japan. She loves the sea, cooking, dogs, and the movie Aladdin. She started dancing at the age of 5.
- Stage Name: Himena
- Full Name:
- Native Name:
- Birthday: May 9, 2008
- Country of Birth: Japan
- Age (2023): 15
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- MBTI: INFJ
Seoyeon, Ena
21. Seoyeon (eliminated)
Seoyeon is from Wonju, Ganwon-do, South Korea. She has a bubbly personality that resembles a soda. She loves badminton.
- Stage Name: Seoyeon
- Full Name:
- Native Name:
- Birthday: May 24, 2008
- Country of Birth: South Korea
- Age (2023): 15
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- MBTI: INFP
22. Ena (eliminated)
At the age of 12, Ena is the youngest contestant in the competition. She is Japanese and loves watching dramas, omurice, drinking cola, and eating strawberries.
- Stage Name: Ena
- Full Name: Sakata Ena
- Native Name: 坂田 絵奈
- Birthday: Feb 17, 2011
- Country of Birth: Japan
- Age (2023): 12
- Height:
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- MBTI: ESFP
