[April 2026] ABEMA’s music works: Auditions and must-see artist features

POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

ABEMA streams video content across every genre—from news to variety shows and sports—so chances are many of you have watched at least one of their programs.

In this article, we’ll spotlight their music-related offerings.

In addition to live performances and documentaries, the abundance of exclusive content is a major draw.

Another hallmark is their strong lineup of audition shows and hip-hop programs.

We’ll prioritize titles that aren’t available on other platforms or that you can watch for free, so enjoy!

[April 2026] ABEMA’s music works. Auditions and must-see artist features (1–10)

B:MY BOYZ

abema.tv

“B:MY BOYZ” is a global boy group audition program featuring a total of 29 participants from South Korea, Japan, China, and Thailand.

Contestants compete across a variety of talents, including vocals, performance, and producing skills, and the show proceeds with top K-pop idols—who lead the industry—directly selecting the “NEXT Idol.” From Japan, six participants are joining, including contestants from “timelesz project -AUDITION-” and “BOYS PLANET,” making for a richly international competition.

The compelling stories woven by distinctive trainees from each country make this a must-watch for K-pop fans.

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WORLD OF STREET WOMAN FIGHTER

abema.tv

The massively popular Korean show “STREET WOMAN FIGHTER (SWF)” is going global! This season, its third, gathers top-tier dancers from around the world for a nation-versus-nation competition to crown a world-class dance crew.

ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Hanbin serves as MC, with contestants representing countries such as South Korea, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, and Australia.

Powerhouse dancers like RIEHATA—renowned for choreographing BTS—and HANA, the sister of TWICE’s Momo, are also competing.

They face off through various challenges, including a K-pop mission.

With national pride on the line, the heated battles will keep you glued to the screen.

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I-LAND2

abema.tv

This is a Korea–Japan simultaneous K-pop audition program exclusively broadcast by ABEMA in 2024.

It’s the girls’ group version and a sequel to I-LAND, which produced the boy group ENHYPEN.

The previous season generated huge buzz, and with BLACKPINK’s producer TEDDY at the helm, this one is a must-watch as well.

Six Japanese contestants are participating, including alumni from PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS (a.k.a.

“Nipuro”) and Girls Planet 999: The Girls’ Festival (“Galpla”).

Through various performance tests—such as the signal song, unit stages, and position evaluations—the final debut lineup is determined.

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[April 2026] ABEMA’s music titles: Auditions and must-see artist features (11–20)

ILLIT Debut Showcase ‘SUPER REAL ME’

abema.tv

ILLIT was formed by five of the six finalists from R U Next?, a girl group survival show aired in South Korea in 2023 by HYBE, the label dominating the K‑POP scene.

They drew major attention even before debut, and with two Japanese members, they became a hot topic here in Japan as well.

Their success after debuting in 2024 needs no further explanation, but to celebrate the release of their debut mini-album SUPER REAL ME, a special debut showcase is now available to watch on ABEMA.

It doesn’t just feature concert footage; it also includes interviews and segments focusing on each member, making it a must-see for fans!

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KOH-1

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Momoiro Uta Gassen

abema.tv

The annual New Year’s Eve countdown event, the Momoiro Uta Gassen, is a year-end spectacular led by Momoiro Clover Z.

The entire event is broadcast for free, and the archive is available as well.

Various artists perform, and the Red Team and White Team compete, much like the Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Since you can enjoy about eight hours of performances for free, it’s highly recommended for music lovers who have plenty of time to spare.

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Hane Keisuke

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The Blue Sky I Wanted to See: Thinking About “Boku-Ao”

abema.tv

A group born in 2023 as a rival to Nogizaka46: Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora.

This special program introduces the group, which has been deepening its activities under the nickname “Bokuao.” There’s a full version running about an hour and a half, and an individual version you can watch in about 15 minutes.

Through conversations among the members centered on their released songs, viewers are likely to gain many insights.

With self-introductions and a clear look at the group’s journey, it’s an easy-to-enjoy program not only for those who want to learn more but also for first-time viewers.

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