Aomori Hirosaki's dance and vocal unit "Ringo Musume" won the East Japan B block of "TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL (TIF) 2023 National Selection LIVE" on May 6th.

TIF is Japan's largest idol event, and this year's event will be held from August 4th to 6th. There are 6 qualifying slots for "National Senbatsu LIVE", which has the right to appear in the event, and it was decided that Ringo Musume, who won the East Japan B Block, will appear in this event as the representative of the East Japan B Block.

Ringo Musume was formed in 2000 (Heisei 12), and all members act under the name of apple varieties. Currently, there are four members, the leader Pink Lady, Star King Delicious, Hatsukoi Grin, and Kinboshi. Since all the former members graduated in March 2022, the members of the sister unit "Alps Otome" joined and started activities.

"National Senbatsu LIVE" had 3 selections, and there was a 15-minute qualifying examination and a 10-minute final examination by the 8 units that passed through screening of documents and live broadcasts in the showroom. The qualifying and final screenings were based on a score system of four items, and there were not only live performance screenings by the judges, but also venue voting and mail-order screening.

The 4 units that remained until the final examination finished their respective performances, and only the leader went up on the stage to wait for the results to be announced. It is said that the three people who were waiting at the wings of the stage were holding hands and watching the announcement. Pinklady, who was standing on the stage, recalled, "I don't remember anything because of anxiety and tension. I didn't even know if the pounding was my heart or the sound of the drum roll."

When the winner's name was announced, Kinboshi said, "I wanted to run to Pink Lady as soon as possible and share her joy." Star King Delicious, one of the four who did not shed tears, said with a smile, "There was nothing but joy. I've cried so many times in the past that I've been so frustrated that my tears have dried up."

Grin Hatsukoi said she was nervous until she got home. "I was still nervous on the bullet train on my way home. When my family said 'Congratulations,' I finally felt relieved," says Tsukoi Grin.

The four of them unanimously said, "We were able to receive the award because of the support and encouragement of Farmer (the name of our fans)." "I was worried, but thanks to Farmer who was there, I gained confidence," said Star King Delicious. I couldn't help but feel nervous" (Mr. Kinboshi), "Because Farmer was there, I was able to perform more than twice as much" (Mr. Hatsukoi Grin), "Winning the championship was a chance given to me by Farmer" (Ms. Pink Lady ).

In addition to participating in TIF in August, Ringo Musume will participate in the pop culture event "@JAM" to be held on May 27th. According to Pink Lady, this year's activities will focus on improving her name recognition in order to realize her planned 2025 "solo live at Haruka Yume Stadium, which will mobilize 10,000 people."

Pink Lady said, “This victory was a big result for us, who had no track record. I want to be able to promote Aomori to people who didn't know about Aomori," he said.