Geffen Records and HYPE, the K-Pop entertainment company that launched BTS, have formed a partnership to find the next global girl group. The companies recently announced the top 20 contestants, who were selected from 120,000 submissions, to compete for a chance to be part of the international group. This new girl group will be created based on the renowned K-pop training and development system.
The process of developing the group will be documented in an upcoming Netflix documentary series set to air in 2024. The series will be directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Nadia Hallgren, known for her work on the Michelle Obama documentary “Becoming” and “Civil: Ben Crump”.
To kick off the search, HYPE chairman Bang Si-Hyuk and John Janick, chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M, were present at IGA Studios in Santa Monica to meet the contestants in person. Bang Si-Hyuk expressed his desire to form an international group based on the K-pop methodology and his belief in the importance of having a capable partner. Upon meeting John Janick, the two instantly felt a musical and creative connection. Si-Hyuk expressed his pride in the talent they have found and the opportunities they have created within the K-pop universe.
HYBE, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment, joined forces with Geffen Records, a division of Universal Music Group, in 2021. Geffen Records boasts popular artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Kali UChis, while HYPE has launched successful groups like Tomorrow X Together, Seventeen, Enhypen, and BTS. Since their debut in 2013, BTS has achieved tremendous success, with 10 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including six number ones. They made history as the first Korean act to top the Hot 100 and receive a Grammy nomination, earning a total of five Grammy nominations to date.
John Janick expressed his excitement about the partnership and their shared beliefs in artist development, music, and creativity. Forming a global group with Bang Si-Hyuk, using the best of K-pop methodology along with the Geffen team, is a special opportunity that will bring a unique experience to the world of music. Janick acknowledged the incredible talent, dedication, and drive of each candidate, making it an exciting moment for music fans worldwide.
The 20 aspiring performers will partake in an audition program called “The Debut: Dream Academy.” The show will premiere on September 1 on YouTube and Japanese streaming channel Abema. The finale is scheduled to air on November 17, where the final members of the group and the group name will be revealed. Fans will have the power to vote for their favorite performers via TikTok and Weverse, ensuring their active participation in the selection process.
This collaboration between Geffen Records and HYPE marks an exciting endeavor to launch a new global girl group. With the K-pop training and development system at the core, along with the expertise and support of industry leaders, this initiative is poised to discover and nurture the next big thing in the world of music. The upcoming Netflix documentary series will offer viewers an inside look into the process, allowing them to witness the transformation of these aspiring performers into international stars. Music fans around the world eagerly await the arrival of this new girl group and the incredible talent they will bring to the music industry.
