Hello! Database: Morning Musume, 3rd Generation

After Asuka Fukada left Morning Musume in 1999, the group was in need of a new strong vocalist since much of that responsibility was all on the shoulders of Natsumi Abe.

An audition was held to find two new members. 13-year-old Maki Goto was, despite the intentions, the only one chosen to join the group. Shortly thereafter Morning Musume's biggest hit, Love Machine was released.

As Maki left Morning Musume to become a solo artist already in 2002, the 3rd one was the most short-lived generation.