NELN

 (ネルン, nerun) is a Japanese idol girl group that debuted in April 2020. The group's concept is described by the slogan "Close your eyes and dream freely". From April 2020, the group released a new song and music video every month for one year. NELN's first album, dawn, is set to be released on July 13, 2021.

Current Members

 * Natsumi (NELN)
 * Karin (NELN)
 * Akari (Graduating June 9, 2021)
 * Mao (NELN)

History
On August 1, 2019, auditions for an idol girl group called M.I.P (Morioka Idol Project) were announced. The group was formed by creative producer Chiori Morioka (森岡千織), music producer Shinnosuke Nakasone (中曽根 慎乃介) and blowout CEO Yuki Ichinomiya (一ノ宮佑貴). Through this audition process, four members were selected from more than 350 applicants.

NELN and its members were unveiled in a promotional trailer on April 14, 2020. From April 2020, the group released a new song and music video every month for one year. Their debut single, Wandervogel, was released on April 19, 2020 and was chosen as the May 2020 ending theme of TV Asahi's "Onegai! Ranking".

On August 28, 2020, they released their debut EP, Predawn, and held their first live concert. Their fifth single, Orange, was selected as the September 2020 ending theme of Chiba TV's "Topic Maker" (トピックメーカー). At the 9th annual Idol Music Awards, the group was rated the 5th most recommended idol group and Predawn was ranked the 9th best idol album of 2020.

On April 18, 2021, NELN held a concert at Shibuya Stream Hall to celebrate the first anniversary of their debut. During the concert, they announced the title of their first album, dawn, set to be released on July 13.

On May 24, 2021, AKARI announced that she would be graduating from the group, with a final live performance on June 9, 2021 at Shinjuku Marz.

EPs

 * 1) [2020.08.28] Predawn

Digital Singles

 * 1) [2020.04.19] Wandervogel (ワンダーフォーゲル)
 * 2) [2020.05.27] Square (スクエア)
 * 3) [2020.06.25] Non-fiction (ノンフィクション)
 * 4) [2020.07.30] irony
 * 5) [2020.08.28] Orange (オレンジ)
 * 6) [2020.09.30] Korogaru (ころがる)
 * 7) [2020.10.30] MILK
 * 8) [2020.11.30] mimic
 * 9) [2020.12.30] REM
 * 10) [2021.01.29] snow light
 * 11) [2021.02.27] Shiosai (しおさい)
 * 12) [2021.03.31] dawn

Trivia

 * During the audition process the groups initial concept was described as "NEO NERD LOVELY", with the slogan "Create New Idol Waves".
 * Chiori Morioka, NELN's creative producer, explained that she was inspired to form an idol group after directing several music videos for ukka throughout 2018-2020.
 * NELN's stage costumes are created by WONDER STYLE, a subsidiary of Stardust Promotion, who also designs costumes for ukka and TEAM SHACHI.
 * NELN's vocal coach, Satsuki (皐月), is also the vocal director for the band Chai.