I wrote down these predictions for how I think each contestant will place when their profile photos were initially released, thought it would be interesting to post here now that we know how things panned out.

Contestant Breakdown:

1. Junna - Filler contestant. Absolutely no chance at debut. Her visuals are a bit more mature than what they’re likely looking for; she doesn’t have the Jpop idol look.
2. Sakura T - Very classic youthful Jpop idol look, she seems like she would be a judge favorite but I’m not sure if she would debut with the prelude girls as she doesn’t seem to match them super well. Likely would make it at least to the finals based on appearance alone. But also does Hybe really need another Sakura?
3. Sarah Y - Filler contestant. Unless she’s got a great personality or some insane talent I can’t see her making it very far at all, she doesn’t have the look. She’ll make it halfway through at most.
4. Rira - She doesn’t exactly the classic cutesy Jpop idol look, but she would match the prelude girls quite well. If they’re truly going for more western appeal I can see her making it pretty far. She does feel a bit too “western” to appeal to a Japanese audience like they’re probably hoping for, so I can’t imagine her debuting.
5. Sara S - Filler contestant; zero chance at debut. She looks so little, she’d stick out like a sore thumb with the prelude girls, (I do worry though, knowing the predators at Hybe).
6. Seria - She’s very cute, I can see them slapping some bangs on her for the full Jpop idol look. With proper styling I think she could really fit with the prelude girls. I’d say she could make it to the finals, possibly even debut.
7. Jayla - Maybe I have some sort of complex around sweatbands, but like Rira she feels too western to debut. I think she’d have pull factor for a western audience but I can’t see her debuting based off of lack of appeal to a Japanese audience. She’d look good with the prelude girls though.
8. Ayana - Can’t quite decide with her, she could end up as a total filler member, or she could make it quite far. She’s pretty but she doesn’t seem to have the “look” that Hybe is likely invested in. I can see her making it halfway through the competition— maybe further, but not debut.
9. Sara M - ZERO chance at debut. It’s so clear that she’s engagement bait for the audience. She’s just something interesting that was thrown into the mix to give people something to talk about.

Chance Predictions:

Doomed from the start:
- Junna
- Sara Y.
- Sara S.
- Sara M.
- Shaina
- Honoka M.
- Akari

Will make it halfway:
- Rira
- Jayla
- Ayana
- Naru
- Sarah N.
- Elena

Solid Chance:
- Sakura T.
- Seria
- Rinka
- Hiori
- Aoi
- Honoka K.

Finalist Predictions:

in no particular order…
- Sakura T.
- Rinka
- Hiori
- Aoi

Looking Back;

Looking back on my predictions, it’s genuinely upsetting the direction they chose to go in. “Saint Satine” is obviously meant to be seductive with the vibes of a sexy perfume commercial and satin dresses. It’s deeply upsetting that they went with the youngest girl when it’s so clear that their creative vision isn’t fit for a child at all. Especially when they had so many beautiful adult women who would have totally bodied the concept.

Zero hate towards Sakura, I’m so happy for her. However, once again it just brings attention to Hybe’s negligence when it comes to protecting the minors they employ. Exposing this 16 year old girl to the full force of the internet’s hate all while setting her up in a group whose concept is clearly not age appropriate is truly irresponsible.

Upsetting but never surprising.