In April 2023, the &#8220;IDOL 3.0 PROJECT Audition,&#8221; led by Yasushi Akimoto, began. Approximately 10,000 applicants participated. The 11 individuals who successfully advanced through the final screening debuted as &#8220;WHITE SCORPION&#8221; in December of the same year. Meanwhile, the 17 individuals who made it to the final screening but fell just short of passing formed a group called &#8220;FINALIST&#8221; and have been working towards their debut.
 
<h2>One full year after their rejection, their debut was finally decided!</h2>
On October 8, it was announced at a production press conference in Tokyo that &#8220;FINALIST&#8221; will make their major debut in January of next year. The new group name is &#8220;Rain Tree.&#8221; This name, derived from an actual plant, embodies the hope that the members will become a strong and gentle presence, much like the Rain Tree, which endures the rain and provides great strength to themselves and those around them through their perseverance in the face of adversity.
<figure id="attachment_394515" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 5241px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-394515"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="997e7250"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/10/72d4bb9f69039504c99bbbfa8bbe538e.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-394515" class="wp-caption-text">Members of &#8220;Rain Tree&#8221; shed tears when their debut was announced as a surprise.</figcaption></figure>
The 17 members who took the stage without being informed of their debut were brought to tears by the unexpected surprise. There were moments when members were seen holding hands and breaking down in tears.
When asked about their feelings after achieving the long-dreamed debut, member Kotori said, “I never imagined we would be surprised in such a way, so I am truly happy,” as she spoke through tears. Tama shared, “It has been exactly one year since I fell short in the final audition. When we were given this press conference, I thought there might be some news. However, I also had many experiences where nothing happened despite my expectations, so I decided not to hope too much today. Knowing that we will be debuting in January next year, I am truly glad that every single one of the members has worked hard together without anyone dropping out over the past year.”
When asked how they spent the past year since failing the final audition, Ichigo stated, “I’ve been living with a strong belief that I will definitely debut someday. While watching our senior group WHITE SCORPION, I have focused on improving my individual skills and promoting myself on social media.” Kawachan added, “Throughout this past year, all 17 of us have supported each other, and I hope to continue as a close-knit and loving group. I hope this love resonates with everyone as well.”
<figure id="attachment_394516" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 3665px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-394516"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="17f17989"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/10/8da5df677bc981c626a94b8630f47715.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-394516" class="wp-caption-text">Member Nii spoke while her eyes were red with tears.</figcaption></figure>
On this day, October 8, 2024, as she celebrated her 24th birthday, Nii said, “Last year, October 7 was the day of the final audition. It ended with a disappointing result, and I spent my birthday feeling sad. Since then, I’ve always envisioned spending this year’s birthday celebrating with my fellow members and fans after our debut, so I am truly grateful to receive the best birthday present of our debut confirmation.”
<div data-friday-nextpage-lead="Another &quot;surprise&quot;"></div>
<h2>The selection system, similar to that of the 48 Group and Sakurazaka Group.</h2>
The oldest member of the group, Maki, is 26 years old. &#8220;Having once failed an audition and feeling the regret that comes with it is what drives the 17 of us to work hard,&#8221; she said proudly. The youngest, 15-year-old Rinrin, surprised reporters with her confident words: &#8220;Thanks to my 16 older sisters always encouraging me by saying, &#8216;You can definitely debut!&#8217;, I am who I am today. I want to continue to lean on my older sisters while absorbing their strengths and aiming higher.&#8221;
During the event, another surprise announcement was made for the members. It was revealed that &#8220;Rain Tree&#8221; will implement a &#8220;selection&#8221; system, where main members will be chosen for each single. Only those members who succeed in the selection based on criteria of singing, dancing, and self-expression will be able to perform the title song.
<figure id="attachment_394517" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 5800px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-394517"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="8b8b8de0"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/10/d97152399fa1aa77fc69a2ac23d4c9ec.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-394517" class="wp-caption-text">The debut of &#8220;Rain Tree&#8221; will be in January 2025. High Expectations.</figcaption></figure>
Akimoto Yasushi, who has produced numerous nationally beloved female idol groups, is now introducing his latest idol group, &#8220;Rain Tree.&#8221; With the strength they have shown in enduring the hardships of failing the final audition, they are sure to become a significant source of strength for their fans.
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