Dean Fujioka and Choi Soo-young have shared their excitement for the growth of the trainees and the birth of a new global boy group in the Japanese audition program ‘PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SHINSEKAI’.
‘PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SHINSEKAI’ marks the fourth season of the hit idol survival project ‘PRODUCE 101 JAPAN’. Having already produced globally active groups like JO1, INI, and ME:I, this season aims to create a boy group that will debut simultaneously in Korea and Japan to take on the global stage.
The competition is heating up through grade evaluations, group battles, and position evaluations. In the recently revealed second ranking announcement, the final 35 survivors were confirmed.
Dean Fujioka, serving as the ‘National Producer Representative’ who has spent significant time with the trainees, commented on their progress, saying, “I can feel great growth not only in their skills but also in their eyes.” He added, “Beyond just starting because they liked it, their sense of responsibility and purpose have grown, making their individuality and character stand out more clearly.”
He also expressed his hopes, stating, “I hope the new team doesn’t just stick to past success formulas but becomes a group that constantly creates new looks. I want them to grow into a team that isn’t afraid of change.”
Choi Soo-young, participating as the ‘SEKAI Producer Representative,’ also pointed to the team’s global appeal as a major strength. She noted, “Members with diverse personalities and charms have come together, and they will show strong energy and teamwork on stage. Off stage, I think they will be a team where natural and sincere chemistry shines.”
Global fans are showing massive interest. Voting via CJ ENM’s global K-pop platform, Mnet Plus, is taking place across 188 regions worldwide. Reportedly, the number of participants in the second round of voting increased by about 50% compared to the first. This high level of interest from Asia, North America, and Europe proves the potential for expanding the global fandom.
The program’s popularity was also evident at ‘KCON JAPAN 2026’. Many fans flocked to the dedicated booths, including ‘X STAGE’, and the ‘M COUNTDOWN STAGE’ theme song performances, showing an enthusiastic response.
Meanwhile, Mnet Plus serves as the official global platform for ‘PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SHINSEKAI’, providing live streaming and multilingual services for countries outside of Japan.
