It’s always exciting to see a new group emerge and capture the attention of music lovers, and the story of HANA is certainly one to watch. This seven-member girl group, brought to us by B-RAVE, a label under BMSG, officially debuted on April 2nd, 2025, with their single "ROSE." And what a debut it was! The track didn't just chart; it soared, hitting the number one spot on the Oricon Weekly Streaming Chart right out of the gate and topping the Billboard JAPAN HOT 100. That's a pretty strong statement for any new artist, let alone a brand new group.
Their journey began a little earlier, though. Back on January 11th, 2025, the curtain fell on the BMSG and CHANMINA collaboration, the audition program "No No Girls." It was from this intense competition that CHIKA, NAOKO, JISOO, YURI, MOMOKA, KOHARU, and MAHINA were selected, forming the group that would soon become HANA. Even before their official debut, they released a pre-debut single, "Drop," on January 31st, giving fans a taste of what was to come.
What's particularly impressive is their sustained momentum. Following the success of "ROSE," their single "Blue Jeans," released on July 14th, spent an incredible nine consecutive weeks at the top of the Oricon Weekly Streaming Chart. This achievement set a new record for the longest consecutive reign by a female group on that particular chart. It’s clear they’re not just a flash in the pan; they’re building a solid foundation.
Their hard work and talent were recognized with significant accolades. In 2025, they were honored with the "Best New Artist Award" at the Asian Star Entertainer Awards, and later that year, they took home the "Best New Artist Award" at the 67th Japan Record Awards. To cap off an already remarkable year, they graced the stage of the 76th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen on December 31st, performing their hit "ROSE."
Looking ahead, the group continued to expand their discography. January 24th, 2026, saw the release of "Cold Night," the opening theme song for the second season of the anime "Kinpuro." This was followed by their highly anticipated debut album, "HANA," released on February 23rd, 2026. It’s a testament to their growing presence in the music scene.
Digging a little deeper into the members, we find a diverse mix of backgrounds. While JISOO hails from South Korea, the other six members are Japanese. CHIKA has a history as a candidate for M∞NSTER AUDITION and a former trainee at XGALX. NAOKO brings a blend of Japanese and Thai heritage and has trained with AVEX ARTIST ACADEMY and AVEX DANCE MASTER. JISOO herself was a trainee at YG Entertainment in Incheon. MOMOKA was a finalist in the "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS" audition program. YURI also has Japanese and Filipino roots. Interestingly, YURI, KOHARU, and MAHINA were newcomers to the entertainment industry, having no prior professional experience before joining HANA, which makes their rapid ascent even more remarkable.
The group's fandom is known as HONEYs, and with their consistent output and undeniable talent, it’s easy to see why they’ve garnered such a dedicated following. HANA is definitely a group to keep an eye on as they continue to make their mark.
