HYBE and Geffen Unveil New Global Girl Group SAINT SATINE

A new global girl group co-created by HYBE and Geffen Records has officially finalized its lineup.

On May 12, HYBE-Geffen unveiled SAINT SATINE during Episode 12 of the Japanese OTT audition series World Scout: The Final Piece, streamed through ABEMA.

The four-member group consists of former The Debut: Dream Academy contestants Emily, Lexie, and Samara — all previously connected to the creation process behind KATSEYE — alongside newly selected Japanese member Sakura.

The final audition took place at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, where Sakura faced off against contestant Ayana for the last remaining debut spot. After intense deliberation, Sakura emerged victorious, reportedly overcoming odds of 14,000-to-1 to secure her place in the lineup.

Powerful Stage Presence Earns Sakura the Final Debut Spot

During the finale performance, Sakura joined Emily, Lexie, and Samara onstage for a special showcase of the group’s upcoming music. She impressed judges with difficult choreography, including a flawless split move, while maintaining confident expressions and relaxed stage control throughout the performance.

Son Sung-deuk, senior creator at HxG, praised Sakura’s star quality, saying he felt “goosebumps” the moment she stepped forward during the performance.

Meanwhile, Ayana was also praised for her stable vocals and polished technique. HxG CEO Mitra Darab commended her ability to communicate her swagger and genuinely enjoy the stage.

Judges reportedly struggled to make the final decision, with Son Sung-deuk revealing it was one of the fiercest debates he had experienced on an audition program.

After her name was announced, Sakura became emotional and shared, “I always wanted to become an artist who shines on the global stage. I’m so grateful that my dream has come true.”

Although she narrowly missed debuting, Ayana vowed to continue pursuing her dream, promising to work even harder moving forward.

Senior HYBE-Geffen group KATSEYE also appeared during the finale, offering encouragement and advice to the trainees. The members emphasized the importance of enjoying the stage rather than overthinking performances.

The group’s name, SAINT SATINE, was explained by Son Sung-deuk as combining the strong charisma and musical presence of “Saint” with the elegant and refined softness associated with “Satin.”

The group is currently preparing for its official debut later this year.