Meet the J-pop girl group HANA—and their half-Filipino member, Yuri
The music industry can be a cutthroat industry, especially for pop idols who need to tick a long list of requirements just to get a shot at training. And unfortunately, more often than not, outward appearance can take precedence over actual talent—and the dream dies before it even begins.
The Japanese girl group HANA was built differently. Born from the survival show “No No Girls”—a collaboration between the Japanese label BMSG and the genre-defying rapper Chanmina—the group members were selected based on one radical premise: “We don’t care about your height, weight, or age. Just show us your voice and your life.”
Once robbed of the opportunity to debut in a girl group because of her looks, Chanmina made space for those who had experienced rejection, whether from the industry, society, or even themselves. Out of over 7,000 hopefuls, only seven remained: Chika, Naoko, Jisoo, Momoka, Koharu, Mahina, and the half-Filipino member, Yuri.
The voices they carry
The show welcomed those who had been told “no,” and gave them a chance to say “yes” to themselves. With this concept in mind, Koharu—and likely the rest of the group as well—felt it was a show worth giving a shot.
“We all know that the audition show wasn’t just about appearances or first impressions. It was about what’s inside—their backgrounds, their lives, and what their voices carry,” Koharu tells Lifestyle Inquirer in a video call with the group. “And during the audition, we were given such clear and concise advice that was targeted to each of us.”
Originally eliminated after the third round, Mahina was given a second chance through an additional screening to perform in front of Chanmina. “I could really feel that she listens to each contestant’s voice, and that moved me deeply.” she recalls.
Blooming through “hard work and more hard work”
Hana is the Japanese word for “flower.” In this case, it refers to a flower that blooms through “hard work and more hard work”—or, as they chorused, “ganbatte ganbatte saita hana!” And their dedication bore fruit, not long after debuting just last April.
Their first single, “Rose,” a powerful anthem of self-love and resilience, shot up straight to the top spot on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart. In “Blue Jeans,” they reveal a softer side through a mid-tempo ballad rich with nostalgic guitar sounds that evoke longing and hope. It also made history as the first track by a female group to top the Oricon weekly streaming chart for six consecutive weeks.
They hope to sustain that momentum with their latest release, “Bad Love,” a high-energy track that captures the struggle between the desire to forgive and the feeling of something holding you back. Momoka and Jisoo contributed to the songwriting, while Mahina takes the reins in the powerful chorus.
But while charts and streaming numbers are undeniably important measures of success, what truly matters is that people enjoy the music they have worked so hard to create.
“We’re serious about making something good. If people can just let go of everything and just enjoy with their hearts, that would be amazing. That’s the kind of group we want to be,” Koharu says.
How did you feel about your debut single, “Rose,” topping the Billboard Japan Hot 100?
Koharu: I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was. I just thought, “Oh wow, we’re on the charts.” But our management kept telling us, “This is huge. You did so well.” At first, we were like, “Wait… really? That’s important?”
Momoka: I had this vision and a list of goals I wanted to achieve as an artist—like when I would debut or when I would make the charts. So being able to achieve those dreams… I’m just really, really happy.
Jisoo: When “Rose” [came out], we all listened to it together as a group. We had a video call with Chanmina, and it was such a touching moment — we all remember it very clearly.
How would you describe yourself on- and offstage?
Yuri: There’s not really a big difference for me. I’m just Yuri—whenever, wherever I am.
Naoko: I’m pretty similar to Yuri. At first, there was a strong difference between my onstage and offstage self. When I’m offstage, I go into energy-saving mode. But onstage, I give it everything. Lately though, I’ve noticed that the line between those two sides is starting to blur.
Jisoo: I think this is similar for all the members. When we’re onstage in front of fans, the pitch of our voices becomes higher!
Momoka: Offstage, I’m practically falling asleep. But onstage, I look into the eyes of every fan and try to show my love to all of them.
Koharu: I give 100 percent onstage. But offstage I’m always eating, getting my energy back, just being myself, not in a rush to do anything.
Chika: Onstage, I show my most confident side! I bring the heat to the performance. Offstage, I’m polite and always care about how others feel.
Mahina: When I’m performing, I go with the flow and follow the vibe of the group. I perform [based on] my intuition.
Yuri, we know you have Filipino roots. Could you tell us more about your background—any memories, traditions, or influences from your Filipino side?
Yuri: When I was young and visited the Philippines, there was karaoke everywhere—even in shopping malls! Everyone sings and enjoys music so casually. It’s just in my blood. My mom always sang at home, too. I think that’s where my love for music came from—my Filipino roots.
Do you look forward to performing in the Philippines?
Yuri: There are no plans yet to visit the Philippines, but we know how happy and welcoming the Filipino fans are. If we get the chance, we’re sure they’ll respond to us with so much love. We’re really looking forward to meeting them one day.
