HYBE and Geffen Records are officially expanding their global girl group ambitions. Following the breakout launch of KATSEYE, the joint venture has now unveiled SAINT SATINE, a new four-member act positioned as the next evolution of the company’s hybrid K-pop and Western pop strategy.
Also referred to as PRELUDE: The Final Piece, the group combines trainees from The Debut: Dream Academy with a newly selected Japanese member discovered through the survival show World Scout: The Final Piece. Scheduled to debut later in 2026, SAINT SATINE immediately arrives with a distinctly younger and softer identity than KATSEYE, maintaining the polished performance standards associated with HYBE’s training system.
The lineup itself may be the project’s biggest strength. Each member fills a sharply defined role, creating a balance between performance, vocals, creativity, and market reach that feels intentionally engineered for global scalability. Here’s everything you need to know about Emily, Lexie, Samara, and Sakura ahead of debut.
Emily
American member Emily Kelavos enters SAINT SATINE as the group’s clear performance anchor. Born on February 14, 2006, and raised in Dallas, Texas, Emily already built a reputation during Dream Academy for explosive stage presence and technical dance precision. Her pre-debut résumé also separates her from many rookie idols. Before joining the HYBE x Geffen system, she worked as a competitive dancer and appeared as a background performer for XG during Coachella 2025.
That experience shows in the way she commands choreography. Emily’s energy tends to feel instinctive rather than calculated, giving performances an immediacy that translated strongly during survival-show stages.
Lexie
If Emily represents movement, Lexie Levin appears positioned as SAINT SATINE’s creative architect. Born in Stockholm on August 28, 2004, the Swedish member brings one of the most musically layered backgrounds in the lineup. Beyond performing, Lexie already works as a songwriter and producer, adding a level of artistic authorship that HYBE increasingly values in newer-generation groups.
Her Dream Academy journey also carried unusual emotional weight. After initially becoming a fan favorite, she ultimately withdrew from the program due to the pressure surrounding the competition. That decision made her return through SAINT SATINE feel less like a standard debut announcement and more like unfinished business finally reaching resolution.
Samara
Brazilian vocalist Samara Siqueira arrives with perhaps the strongest pure vocal reputation in the group. Born on September 11, 2005, Samara consistently ranked among Dream Academy’s most technically reliable contestants, earning attention for both power and emotional control during live stages.
Even under intense scrutiny, Samara maintained a grounded and composed image that resonated heavily with international viewers, particularly in Latin America, where support for her remained exceptionally strong throughout the show’s run.
Fluent in Portuguese and English, she also expands the group’s global accessibility beyond the traditional North American and East Asian markets HYBE often prioritizes.
Sakura
Japanese maknae Tobi Sakura may ultimately become SAINT SATINE’s breakout wildcard. Born on February 20, 2010, she secured her position through World Scout: The Final Piece after rapidly gaining momentum during the competition’s later stages.
Unlike several members with formal industry backgrounds, Sakura developed much of her performance skill independently through online dance and vocal content. That self-taught trajectory became a defining part of her appeal. Judges repeatedly highlighted her fast improvement rate, expressive facial control, and unusually strong instinct for camera performance despite her age.
Her inclusion additionally strengthens the group’s positioning within Japan, currently one of the most commercially valuable music markets globally.
Photo: SAINT SATINE/Instagram
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