From Dream Debut to Harsh Reality: The Unexpected Turns in the Lives of Timelesz Project Candidates
Sudden termination of Management Contract
The audition programs “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN” (GYAO!/TBS), which produced the global boy group “JO1,” and “timelesz project -AUDITION-” (Netflix), an audition to select new members of “timelesz,” brought Ryūto Iwasaki (25) into the spotlight. Afterward, he began his career as a solo artist under the name Luvto (Rauto), but his management contract with his agency ended this June. About a year and a half after the conclusion of “Taipuro,” the participants’ paths have begun to diverge — some finding success while others face difficulties.
“After being eliminated in the fourth round of ‘Taipuro,’ Iwasaki began activities as ‘Luvto’ in December last year and released his first digital single, ‘Going on,’ on December 1. In January this year, he announced that he had joined ‘DREAM PASSPORT.’ On January 16 of the same month, he posted positive words on his X (formerly Twitter), writing, ‘I’m taking a new step forward in a place where I feel I can rely on. I will continue to face everything with all my strength,’” said an entertainment reporter for a sports newspaper.
Just as expectations were building for his future activities, including his appearance at the music festival “Ai FES” in late April, his contract came to an end. “DREAM PASSPORT” explained the circumstances, stating:
“Since he informed us of his poor health, he has continued his activities while undergoing recovery, but it has become difficult to carry out the activities that were originally planned.”
“Iwasaki said on YouTube that he trusts the president of his current agency. He also revealed an episode about coming to the agency early in the morning to practice (the video is currently unavailable). Since he appeared to have started his activities with great enthusiasm, fans seem to be confused,” the same source said.
Other “Taipuro” participants, such as Taisho Maeda (30) and Kōkai Yamane (24), began solo singing careers after failing the audition. Tomoki Nishiyama (26) and Daisuke Maeda (25), who were eliminated in the fifth round, joined the major entertainment agency Horipro and formed TAGRIGHT. They released their pre-debut song “FOREVER BLUE”digitally in January this year, and are scheduled to release their first CD, the debut single “ZERO,” on July 15.
Among the participants who made it through to the fifth round, the one whose future is viewed with the most uncertainty is Ryō Suzuki (27). The final episode of “Taipuro” was released on February 15 last year, but Suzuki appears to have already been making moves behind the scenes before then, announcing the launch of his fan club on March 1. From April of the same year, his own radio program, “Ryō Suzuki, Am I Allowed to Be Happy?” (InterFM), began airing, and he also held solo concerts, making his career appear to be progressing smoothly.
“I trusted Ryō-kun”
However, on April 5 this year, the X account “Ryō Suzuki staff” announced that the management structure for activities will be completely renewed. It also announced the cancellation of the tour “Ryo Suzuki Second Tour 2026 ‘LUMINOUS’ ~Toward a Radiance Yet to Be Seen~,” which had been scheduled to begin on May 2.
On May 13, it was announced that Suzuki had joined Bgram Records. Suzuki himself released a comment saying, “I’ll work hard so that I can show all my fans an even more powered-up version of Ryō Suzuki, so please wait just a little longer!” However, since then, he has had no major public activities. The only updates have been things such as posting photos on Instagram suggesting he is overseas.
“Fans who have followed Suzuki since ‘Taipuro’ have been expressing confusion online, saying things like, ‘I believed in Ryō-kun and was looking forward to what was coming, but I can’t trust the people running the new management system. Is it really okay that they canceled the tour and are just traveling overseas?’ and ‘They canceled a live show right before it was supposed to happen and caused trouble for the fans — what are they trying to do? It’s worrying,’” said the same source.
Amid this situation, it was announced on June 16 that a restart live event, “Ryo Suzuki Live Collection ―ZERO―,” would be held in August. On July 1, Suzuki also held an Instagram Live from Central Park in New York City, USA. During the livestream, Suzuki addressed fans, saying:
“If people aren’t interested in my Instagram Stories, they don’t have to watch them. Everyone can only see the results, so I think there may be a lot of distrust right now, but it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about anything.”
“Taipuro” finalists Roki Hamakawa (20) and Hiromu Honda (26) formed the unit ROIROM. On June 10 this year, they released their major debut mini album “CLASSIC WAVE” through Victor Entertainment. Another finalist, Noa Asai (19), was announced in December 2025 to have joined STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and begun activities as a junior artist.
“Current timelesz member Yoshitaka Hara (30) appears to be watching over the fellow contestants who took part in the audition from afar. On the radio program ‘timelesz Shōri Satō & Yoshitaka Hara’s Recommen!’(Nippon Cultural Broadcasting), while mentioning that Asai had become a junior artist, he told listeners: ‘Other (former audition candidate) members have moved to different agencies and are working together as a duo or as a group,’ and ‘Some are working on their own as well. Everyone is doing their best in different places, so please support them,’” said an executive from an entertainment agency.
After “Taipuro,” the participants have taken many different paths. Even those who are not currently standing in the spotlight are holding on to the hope that their time to shine will eventually come.