According to reports on February 14, Sooyoung will participate in the fourth installment of PRODUCE 101 JAPAN, titled PRODUCE 101 JAPAN, as the lead SEKAI producer.

PRODUCE 101 JAPAN is the first season in the franchise to expand beyond Japan into a fully global audition project. This season introduces simultaneous worldwide broadcasting and a global voting system for the first time. The program will air domestically in Japan via Lemino, while global viewers, including those in Korea, can watch through Mnet Plus. Alongside “national producers” and SEKAI producers, audiences worldwide will directly participate in creating a new global boy group.

Sooyoung brings a unique background to the project. She first debuted in Japan in 2002 through the Korea-Japan joint audition program ASAYAN as a member of the group Route 0, becoming the first Korean artist to debut in Japan through a local audition show.

She later rose to global fame as a member of Girls’ Generation, playing a key role in spreading K-pop worldwide. Beyond music, she has built influence across television, advertising, and fashion, establishing herself as a representative Hallyu star.

In Japan, Girls’ Generation achieved remarkable commercial success. Their Japanese studio albums Girls’ Generation, Girls & Peace, and Love & Peace ranked high on the Oricon charts. The group also successfully completed arena and dome tours across Japan, drawing a cumulative audience of 810,000 — the highest total concert attendance for a Korean female artist in the country.

Through her participation in PRODUCE 101 JAPAN, Sooyoung will observe and guide contestants competing on a global stage, contributing to the show’s vision of forming a new-generation international boy group. With over two decades of experience spanning both Korea and Japan, her perspective as a global multitainer is expected to add depth and credibility to the program.

Sources: daum