INI, JO1, M!LK, and SPAfull …… are the hottest non-japanese idols.

Independent” boy groups

DISH//, to which Takumi Kitamura belongs and whose “Neko” (Cat) was a big hit, and Da-iCE, which won a record award the year before last, have each spread their recognition with hit songs.

LK, a five-member group from the same Stardust Promotion as DISH///, one of whose members, Yuto Sano, is also an actor of note, released their first album in June of this year and are scheduled to hold their first arena concert in October, both of which will mark their 10th year since their formation.

There is more.

The seven-member group THE SUPER FRUIT, whose debut song “Chig Hag” was a big hit on TikTok last year, and the six-member group Panda Dragon, whose song “Pa LIFE! Panda Dragon, another TikTok group of six, will likely be seen more often on TikTok and on music programs.

And 7ORDER, which made its major debut in 2009, had seven (now six) members at the time of its debut, all of whom belonged to the former Johnny’s office ( INI also has one former Johnny’s Jr. member active). The group has steadily built up a track record of successful performances at the Budokan and in arenas one after another, and each member has a wealth of experience in drama and stage productions. We can expect to see more of them on terrestrial TV in the future, and we can also expect to see them performing together with their former friends in an emo-like setting.

Needless to say, the activities of Number_I and IMP., which are sent out by TOBE established by Hideaki Takizawa, are also in full swing and are sure to be a major topic of conversation in ’24.

Young “K-POP” boy groups

In addition to SEVENTEEN and Stray Kids, which will make their first appearance in this year’s Kohaku, young K-pop boy groups such as&TEAM, ENHYPEN, TREASURE, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ASTRO, and NCT 127 are also expected to gain more and more exposure in the Japanese media. With the predicted increase in exposure in the Japanese media, it is highly likely that Japanese groups, Korean groups, and Japan-Korea joint groups will thrive in a flat environment.

And the old Johnny’s group “strikes back.

Of course, the former Johnny’s groups, which have signed new agency contracts or become independent, will also begin to “strike back.” In a sense, they will start their activities under the same environment and conditions, and the division of power will become even more extreme.

On the 15th, NHK will radically revamp “The Shonen Club,” the music program in which the former Johnny’s Jr. and other members played a central role, and change its name to “New Generation! and that idols, artists, and talents from other companies will also appear on the program, so we can expect to see them perform together.

In 2012, which group will make a major breakthrough and become the new “national boy group”? First of all, we would like to learn at least the names and attributes of the groups.