One Year In, HANA Are Blooming On Their Own Terms

In the span of just one year, HANA have gone from promising newcomers to one of the most closely watched acts in J-pop. 

Assembled together through the high-stakes audition program No No Girls, this seven-piece group entered the industry carrying both immense expectations and (as most survival shows enable) an unusual level of public visibility. What soon followed after was a breakout debut that quickly transformed the public’s curiosity into a firm sense of conviction, especially as HANA established themselves not merely as the latest success story from a televised competition, but as artists capable of forging an identity entirely their own.

Since the release of their official debut single “ROSE,” HANA’s ascent within the Japanese market has already been marked by a string of milestones that many groups spend years chasing. Metrics of success — such as multiple chart debuts, a rapidly growing audience and fanbase, as well as a series of impressive performances that showcased both their individual strengths and collective chemistry — have positioned the group among the most exciting new names in the Japanese music scene. Yet still, along the way, they have cultivated a reputation for balancing technical skill with emotional sincerity, building a connection with listeners that extends far beyond streaming numbers and chart placements.

Now, following the release of their self-titled first album, HANA arrive at a defining moment in their young career. More than a debut full-length record, what’s become clear is that the project serves as a snapshot of who they are after a year of growth, challenges, and discovery. It captures a group no longer introducing themselves to the world, but one that is confidently stepping forward with a clearer understanding of their artistry, their ambitions, and the bond that has carried them from the uncertainty of an audition stage to the forefront of a new generation of J-pop.

As HANA arrives at the Billboard Philippines studio, the group’s energy is both bubbly and bright — further amplified by the collective excitement visiting Manila for the first time ever. As they wait patiently for the shoot to commence, I catch a glimpse of the girls playing on their matching Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, playing the latest Pokemon game, Pokopia, with one another. Amidst a series of giggles and playful whispers, it’s evident that their chemistry as a unit has become something that’s akin to a real-life sisterhood.

In this exclusive interview, the breakout J-pop group take a trip down memory lane with me, looking back on a transformative first year and the cumulative journey that has led to the release of their self-titled debut album.

Billboard Philippines: Your journey as HANA began under intense scrutiny on No No Girls. Looking back now, how did that environment shape your skills and your identity as a group? 

KOHARU: Because our journey started with No No Girls, a place where we constantly faced challenges and criticism, it forced us to confront ourselves honestly and think deeply about who each of us wanted to become. At the same time, the experience allowed us to come together as a group. 

One thing about us, as HANA, even though each member has a different personality, background, and strength, we have learned to support one another and move forward together. In many ways, HANA was born from turning those moments of doubt and rejection into confidence and possibility. We took the “no’s” we heard and transformed them into “yes’s.”

Most audition shows often compress growth into a short and often high-pressure timeline. So, what aspects of yourselves did you only begin to truly understand after participating in the show?

YURI: During my audition process, I remember being told by Chanmina that I was weak. I didn’t realize that during the audition, because I was always thinking, I can do it, I won’t lose. But upon hearing that, I was able to realize my weaknesses and gain various strengths in singing and dancing, which allowed me to become more focused and concentrated on what I do. And after the show ended, I realized I was much stronger than I had thought, and I wouldn’t be where I am without such experiences. 

So from releasing your official debut single “ROSE” to your first ever album, which is also named HANA, what were the lessons that came in the period in between that allowed you to embrace each of your full artistic potential?

MOMOKA: Just like the song “ALL IN” on our album, working on the record feels like an all-in project for us. We poured everything we’ve experienced so far into it. A year has passed since the release of “Rose,” and during that time, we’ve gained confidence, determination, and a stronger sense of purpose as artists. 

Every performance and every recording session taught us something new. We wanted to create something that reflected our growth and showed a version of ourselves that was even stronger than when we debuted. We also learned to trust ourselves more and embrace greater creative freedom.

This record being your self-titled album feels like a statement of your identity, of who you are now. So what did naming it HANA allow you to say that no other title could? 

JISOO: I think that the title HANA represents exactly who we are right now. This album was created by us as a whole, so when we first heard that the title would indicate our name as a group, we felt really proud of it because it just felt right. Because for us, this album captures our current voices, our personalities, and the chemistry we’ve built together. Because it’s self-titled, it also feels like the most honest introduction to who HANA is at this moment in our journey.

So how did your shared experiences together from No No Girls to where you are now kind of influence the creative direction and even emotional tone of this album? 

CHIKA: With every song of ours, we make it a point to approach every song with complete honesty so that we can be honest about what we are feeling. In a way, it allowed us to be more straightforward with our intentions, and that is what created these good songs and hopefully what could be described as a great album. It’s always been a goal of ours as HANA to express our feelings through our songs, and that’s how we are able to express who we are.

And that’s very much felt within all of the songs on this record. Though as individuals, how have you evolved artistically and creatively since your debut? And how does that evolution show up in your group dynamic today?

NAOKO: Since debuting, I’ve grown significantly as both a singer and a dancer. I’ve also become much more comfortable on stage. During our debut period and early MC appearances, I was extremely nervous and stiff. Now I’m more focused on connecting with the audience and sharing energy with the people around me. My dancing has also become sharper and more confident. So seeing HANA’s work displayed all around Japan has made me realize how far we’ve come, and its even motivated me to continue improving.

As it is, HANA is no stranger to commercial success, following your numerous chart-topping entries on Billboard Japan‘s Hot 100. What do such achievements mean to you?

MAHINA: It makes me feel so honored that our music has reached a lot of people. There are fans who listen to our music and tell us how they feel about it, and I’m so grateful for that. Also, I feel that same gratitude for all the families and staff who have supported us so far, all the people who have helped us and who have given us strength. 

The biggest thing these achievements tell us is that our music is reaching people, and we are very grateful to see how they are able to feel emotions through our music. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to get where we are now.

Many artists talk about their first album as a culmination of their journey as who they are as artists. Do you see this record more of a closing chapter in your origin story as HANA, or as the beginning of something new? And looking ahead, what themes, sounds, or genres are you most excited to explore in your future music together? 

KOHARU: I’d love to explore R&B and incorporate more of my personal life experiences into my music. I don’t want to limit myself to one genre, and I’m excited to discover many different sounds.

MOMOKA: Over the past year, so many dreams have come true — our debut, the show, music videos, and now our first album. Because of that, I feel motivated to dream even bigger. I’d like to create music from scratch and try bright, tropical songs that people can enjoy during the summer.

MAHINA: I want to create performances and productions that people have never seen before. More than anything, I want to make songs that stay in people’s hearts for years and become music they return to again and again.

NAOKO: For me, dance remains my foundation, so I’d love to explore more dance-pop music. I enjoy songs that lift people’s spirits and make them want to move. I also hope to connect with audiences around the world through music while continuing to improve my skills.

CHIKA: I’d like to try jazz, hard rock, and even metal! I’m interested in experimenting with more powerful vocal styles, including the use of shouting and other techniques I’ve never tried before.

JISOO: Although each of us has very different interests and dreams, those differences are what make us stronger together. Like our name suggests, we become one flower when we come together.

For my final question, if this album introduces to the world who HANA is today, what do you hope that people will remember about the group in the next five years?

CHIKA: It really depends. But I hope people will say that HANA is a group that gives them strength and makes them feel like they can face tomorrow.

NAOKO: I want people to see us as a group that brings smiles to others, and as artists who really love the music that we’ve been able to make.

MAHINA: I also hope that people think of HANA as a truly unique and irreplaceable group!

KOHARU: No matter how much time has passed or no matter how much I’ve grown up, I want to be an artist who makes people have something that they continue to walk and live with alongside them over time.

YURI: If anything, I hope people remember the emotions they felt when listening to our music and the connection they shared with us through our songs.

Listen to HANA’s eponymous debut album in its entirety below: