Stars Awakening/Youth Star: Where Are They Now? (Idol Edition)
Stars Awakening/Youth Star (KR: 청춘스타; JP: 青春スター) was a reality survival show created by Channel A and ABEMA. The show, was a Japanese-Korean co-production, premiered on May 19th, 2022 and aired every Thursday at 10:00PM KST on Channel A in Korea and on ABEMA in Japan. The show consisted of three categories (idol, singer-songwriter, and vocalist) with individual competitions as well as group competitions. The show’s winner could have been one person or one idol team and would be managed by n.CH Entertainment. In the end, on August 4, 2022 and idol team won so idol group was created, n.SSign. On July 1, 2023, n.CH Entertainment announced that n.SSign would reorganize as a permanent boy group with the addition of 3 new members.
It’s been 1 year since the show ended, where are the other contestants?
Debut Group:
(Debut) – Kazuta
— The group released pre-debut mini album “Salty” on February 19, 2023, ahead of their debut they also released pre-release song “Higher” on July 31, 2023.
— He debuted in show’s final lineup, n.SSign.
*Hiatus (Debut) – Yun Doha
— The group released pre-debut mini album “Salty” on February 19, 2023, ahead of their debut they also released pre-release song “Higher” on July 31, 2023.
— He debuted in show’s final lineup, n.SSign.
— He will not participate in group’s comeback, due to health issues.
(Debut) – Yang Junhyeok
— The group released pre-debut mini album “Salty” on February 19, 2023, ahead of their debut they also released pre-release song “Higher” on July 31, 2023.
— He debuted in show’s final lineup, n.SSign.
(Debut) – Jung Sunghyun
— The group released pre-debut mini album “Salty” on February 19, 2023, ahead of their debut they also released pre-release song “Higher” on July 31, 2023.
— He debuted in show’s final lineup, n.SSign.
(Debut) – Lee Hanjun
— The group released pre-debut mini album “Salty” on February 19, 2023, ahead of their debut they also released pre-release song “Higher” on July 31, 2023.
— He debuted in show’s final lineup, n.SSign.
(Debut) – Jang Huiwon
— The group released pre-debut mini album “Salty” on February 19, 2023, ahead of their debut they also released pre-release song “Higher” on July 31, 2023.
— He debuted in show’s final lineup, n.SSign.
*Added to the group (Debut) – Robin
— He returned to his label and continued to be a trainee under n.CH Entertainment.
— He recently opened social media and is regularly posting.
— On July 7, 2023 he was then announced as the first new member that will be added to the group with the release of his concept photo, ahead of their debut group released pre-release song “Higher” on July 31, 2023.
— He debuted in show’s final lineup, n.SSign.
*Added to the group (Debut) – Lawrence
— He returned to his label n.CH Entertainment and continued training.
— He used to post on his social media, but later deleted his Instagram.
— On July 8, 2023 he was then announced as the second new member that will be added to the group with the release of his concept photo under the stage name Laurence, ahead of their debut group released pre-release song “Higher” on July 31, 2023.
— He debuted in show’s final lineup, n.SSign.
Member’s Leaving The Group:
*Left The Group (Debut) – Park Hyun
— The group released pre-debut mini album “Salty” on February 19, 2023, ahead of their debut they also released pre-release song “Higher” on July 31, 2023.
— He was supposed to debut in show’s final lineup, n.SSign.
— He was not participating in group’s debut and comeback’s, due to health issues.
— On August 5, 2024 it was announced by n.CH Entertainment that he will leave the group and continue his activities as an actor under them.
Eliminated Contestants:
(Episode 11) – Kim Seunghyuk
— He sometimes posted on social media but went silent since start of January.
— He participated in MBN’s reality survival show Show King Night where he got in the debut lineup of boy group URSA MAJOR.
— He debuted in boy group URSA MAJOR with the first digital single “The Se7en Heart : And” on August 31, 2023.
(Episode 9) – Jeon Chibin
— He returned to his label ONE COOL JACSO Entertainment, then later on May 25, 2022, he was revealed as a member of the pre-debut trainee group OCJ NEWBIES.
— On a TikTok comment on a fan’s video in October 2022, he revealed that he would no longer be debuting with the group but will still stay with the company.
— He regularly posts on social media.
(Episode 9) – Lee Taewoo
— He used to post on social media, but later deleted his Instagram.
— He signed under C-JeS Entertainment, on August 27, 2022 he was revealed as a member of the pre-debut group M.I.C (Made In Cjes), after finishing their live concert M.I.C Pre-View.
— On October 10, 2023 his concept photo got released making him a confirmed member of company’s new boy group WHIB.
— He debuted in boy group WHIB on November 8, 2023 with the single album “Cut-Out“ under the stage name Haesung.
(Episode 9) – Ha Seokhee
— He left his group KAIROS and has been posting regularly on his social media but later privated it.
— On February 20, 2023, he was introduced as a contestant of the MBC survival show “My Teenage Boy/Fantasy Boys” as individual trainee.
— He was participating in MBC survival show “My Teenage Boy/Fantasy Boys” where he got eliminated on Final Episode.
— He started posting on his Instagram, but later deleted it.
— He is confirmed to debut in boy group Celest1a produced by EunHyuk (Super Junior) and Jongwoo (ONE PACT).
— He debuted in boy group Celest1a on July 31, 2024 with the single “Panda”.
— On September 26, 2024, he was officially introduced as a contestant of JTBC survival show Project 7.
— The group was announced to have disbanded on November 1, 2024.
(Episode 9) – Tao Yuhan
— He returned to his label ONE COOL JACSO Entertainment, then later on May 25, 2022, he was revealed as a member of the pre-debut group OCJ NEWBIES.
— He was a contestant on MNET survival show Boys Planet as ONE COOL JACSO trainee, but left sometime due to unknown reasons on their first round of competition being listed as a “Discharged trainee” on his profile.
— He returned to his label ONE COOL JACSO nothing has been heard from he still appears to be a member of trainee group OCJ NEWBIES.
(Episode 9) – Park Gwanyoung
— He regularly posts on social media but went silent later.
— On December 29, 2022, he was introduced as a contestant of Mnet’s survival show Boys Planet as individual trainee.
— He participated in MNET survival show Boys Planet where he was eliminated on Episode 5 Rank: 68.
— He started posting regularly on his Instagram.
(Episode 9) – Park Mingeun
— He was regularly posting on social media but later deleted all post’s and privated his Instagram.
— On February 20, 2023, he was introduced as a contestant of the MBC survival show “My Teenage Boy/Fantasy Boys” as individiual trainee.
— He was participating in the MBC survival show “My Teenage Boy/Fantasy Boys” where he was eliminated on Episode 5.
— He started posting on his Instagram but later went silent.
— On August 8, 2023 he was revealed as a contestant on MBC survival show “FAN PICK” as individual trainee.
— He participated in MBC M’s survival show “Fan Pick” where he ranked 2nd making him a member of project group PICKUS under TNK Entertainment.
— He debuted in boy group PICKUS on April 23, 2024 with the single album “Little Prince”.
(Episode 9) – Kim Junsu
— He returned to his label Think About Entertainment and has continued training there. He was still part of company’s pre-debut boy group DREAMER but, later left the group silently after the group’s social media unfollowed his Instagram.
— He regularly post’s on his Instagram.
— He signed under HOWLING Entertainment, where on November 13, 2023 he was revealed as a member of company’s first boy group WAKER.
— He debuted in boy group WAKER on January 8, 2024 with the mini album “Mission of School” under the stage name Sebum.
(Episode 9) – Son Mingseok
— He regularly posted on social media and posted his songs on Sound Cloud under the stage name SANO but later went silent.
— He made his solo debut on August 23, 2023 with the digital single “Prologue” under the stage name Seok.
(Episode 9) – Kang Jeonseo
— He appears to be still signed under n.CH Entertainment as a trainee. Not much has been heard from him.
(Episode 7) *Left The Show – Takuma
— He left the show before episode 8’s release due to health reasons.
— He used to post on his social media, but later he deleted his Instagram.
— He was announced as a contestant on KBS survival show MAKEMATE1 on March 28, 2024.
— He was participating in survival show MAKEMATE1, where he was eliminated in the final episode Rank:12.
— He opened social media and is regularly posting.
(Episode 7) – Jo Yiyeon
— She returned to her label Evermore Entertainment with Nam Yuju and Lee Sunwoo. She stayed a part of Evermore Entertainment’s trainee group EVERMORE MUSE.
— She later left Evermore Entertainment and joined WD Entertainment’s girl group WizarD on May 18, 2023.
(Episode 7) – Hwang Soojoung
— She returned to her group Hi-L and continued to promote with them.
— On January 16, 2023 she announced on her Instagram live that she has left the group and will be focusing on modeling and on her YouTube channel from now on.
(Episode 7) – Kim Gawon
— She is regularly posting on her social media.
(Episode 7) – Park Seohee
— She regularly posts on her social media.
(Episode 7) – Lee Yeeun
— She returned to her label Saltlight Love and is still part of trot group LILAI.
— In late 2022, LILAI disbanded due to the web drama they were supposed to be cast in being cancelled.
— On May 12, 2023, she was revealed to have joined her fourth singing survival show, Show Queen.
(Episode 7) – Baek Narin
— Nothing has been heard from her since the show ended.
(Episode 7) – Nam Yuju
— She returned to her label Evermore Entertainment with Jo Yijeon and Lee Sunwoo and continued training there as part of the company’s trainee group EVERMORE MUSE.
— She signed under WAKEONE as a trainee.
— She was confirmed contestant on MNET survival show I-LAND2 with the release of the WAACKING performance video DDU-DU-DDU-DU by BLACKPINK in March 21, 2024, with the release of her profile picture next day March 22, 2024.
— She was participating in I-LAND2, but was eliminated in the final’s Rank:9.
— She left WAKEONE and returned to her label Evermore Entertainment and is still part of the company’s trainee group EVERMORE MUSE, she reopened her Instagram and is regularly posting.
(Episode 7) – Kim Gayoung
— She regularly posted on social media, but later went silent.
— She signed under The Muze Entertainment (previously The Muze Production) as a trainee.
— She is a confirmed member of company’s first girl group RESCENE with the release of her first concept photo on February 18, 2024.
— The group released a pre-release on February 29th, 2024 titled YoYo.
— She debuted in girl group RESCENE on March 26th, 2024 with the single album “Re:Scene” under the stage name Zena.
(Episode 7) – Jeong Nara
— She regularly posts on social media.
(Episode 7) – Park Yuri
— She returned to her label OUI Entertainment and has continued training.
— She regularly posts on her social media.
(Episode 3) – Jo Hyojin
— He debuted as a soloist with the singles “MAA (feat. Jung Haegil)” & “DELETE” under the stage name oi.
— He regularly posts on his Instagram.
— He signed under Nature Space where he is part of the company’s new boy group IBZ later changed to VI’ENX.
— The group released pre-debut album, On my way on April 16, 2023.
— On September 26, 2024, he was officially introduced as a contestant of JTBC survival show Project 7.
(Episode 3) – Chu Wonhui
— She regularly posts on social media.
(Episode 3) – Yang Hejin
— She regularly posted on her social media but later deleted it her current activities are unknown.
(Episode 3) – Son Miri
— She regularly posts on social media.
(Episode 3) – Kodai
— Nothing has been heard from him since the show.
(Episode 3) – Kwak Yumi
— She post’s sometimes on her Instagram.
(Episode 3) – Aito
— He used to post on social media but has recently deleted his Instagram, so his current whereabouts are unknown.
(Episode 3) – Park Jiyong
— He used to post on his social media, but later deleted his Instagram.
— He signed under Aubemoon Studio, where he was seen in the lineup of company’s first boy group NCHIVE in Philippines at Ayala Malls Central Bloc in December 1, 2023, later his concept photo got released in December 12, 2023.
He debuted in boy group NCHIVE on April 9, 2024 with the single album “Drive” under the stage name Kang San.
(Episode 3) – Lee Sumin
— She regularly posted on her Instagram but later deleted it.
— She singed under DG Entertainment on June, 2022 as a trainee.
— She was revealed as part of company’s trainee girl group DG Girls on October 10, 2023.
(Episode 3) – Lee Sunwoo
— She returned to her label Evermore Entertainment with Jo Yijeon and Nam Yuju and continued training there as part of the company’s trainee group EVERMORE MUSE.
— On July 17, 2023, she was introduced as a contestant on SBS survival show “Universe Ticket” as Evermore Entertainment trainee.
— She was participating in SBS survival show “Universe Ticket” where she got eliminated in Final Episode Rank:10.
— She returned to her label Evermore Entertainment and is still part of the company’s trainee group EVERMORE MUSE.
— She opened Instagram and is regularly posting.
(Episode 3) – Kim Chaehyun
— She posted regularly on her Instagram but later deleted it.
(Episode 3) – An Soyeon
— She regularly posts on social media.
— On March 2, 2023, she made her debut in A-plus, a group formed by Howon University, with the release of their debut single “Candlelight”.
(Episode 3) – Lee Geon
— He regularly posts on social media.
(Episode 3) – Yoon Junho
— Nothing has been heard from him since the show.
(Episode 3) – Lee Deul
— Nothing has been heard from him since the show.
(Episode 3) – Jeong Eunji
— She signed under IRION Entertainment and was part of company’s first pre-debut trainee girl group IRION Girls but later left silently.
(Episode 3) – Lee Taerim
— She regularly posts on her social media.
(Episode 3) – Jang Jiyun
— She regularly poste on her Instagram accounts.
— She signed under unrevealed agency and is part of the trainee group project Hi-Dream.
Related: Stars Awakening/Youth Star Contestants Profile
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