In November 2021, South Korean music powerhouse HYBE and Universal Music Group‘s Geffen announced a joint venture called the HYBE x Geffen Global Girl Group Audition.
The JV saw the companies launch a global talent search for a new girl group, to be based in Los Angeles and modeled on ‘the world-renowned K-pop training and development system’.
HYBE and Geffen received more than 120,000 submissions from aspiring artists hoping to be picked for the group.
On Monday (August 28), the companies revealed the 20 contestants selected from that submission process, who will now compete for a spot in the first-ever HYBE x Geffen Records global girl group.
According to HYBE and Geffen, the 20 aspiring artists “have been quietly training over the last year in Los Angeles” under “the world-renowned K-pop training and development system”.
Starting now, the 20 aspiring artists will participate in a world-class audition program titled “The Debut: Dream Academy”, and fans can follow content about the contestants as they embark on the audition program.
The content will premiere on September 1 at 8am US.PDT on YouTube (Global), and ABEMA (Japan). At the end of the audition program later this year, the final members of the group will be determined, and the name of the group will be revealed.
This group will also be integrated into HYBE’s Weverse superfan platform, allowing fans to follow the contestants in the audition program.
The “years-long process” of creating this girl group will also be the subject of an upcoming untitled Netflix documentary series.
HYBE and Geffen say that it “will be a compelling portrayal of the journey to global stardom, including insight into the unique training and development program from HYBE and Geffen Records”.
The series will be directed by award-winning filmmaker, Nadia Hallgren, who directed the four-time Emmy nominated Netflix documentary, Becoming, about the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. The series produced by HYBE, Interscope Films and Boardwalk Pictures is set to premiere in 2024.
HYBE and Geffen note that their “one-of-a-kind joint venture marks the first time a major US record label and a K-pop entertainment leader have combined their expertise in artist discovery, and music production to assemble, develop, and introduce an international girl group unlike any other”.
This also represents the first time a US-based global girl group will be created and modeled based on the K-Pop training and development system.
At the press event on Monday, where the 20 artists were unveiled (at the IGA Studios in Santa Monica on Monday), Bang Si-Hyuk (Chairman of HYBE) and John Janick (Chairman & CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M), shared their vision for the HYBE x Geffen Records partnership.
Additionally, the executives who the companies say were “instrumental to the project” held a Q&A about the girl group, “The Debut: Dream Academy” online program, and the upcoming Netflix docuseries.
Those execs are Tom March (President, Geffen Records), Mitra Darab (President, HxG), Sungdeuk Son (Executive Creator, HxG), Humberto Leon (Creative Director), and Jay Ihn (Head of Creative Production, HxG),
“I have wanted to form an international group based on K-pop methodology for a while. To do this I believed we needed a capable partner.”
Bang Si-Hyuk
Bang said: “I have wanted to form an international group based on K-pop methodology for a while. To do this I believed we needed a capable partner.
“When I met John (Janick), from the first moment, we both felt instantly that we had a connection, musically and creatively. I am very proud of the rich history we have made and the tremendous talent we have found. I am proud of the opportunities we have created within the K-Pop universe.”
“To develop a global group with Bang, with the best of K-Pop methodology, and our Geffen team, is truly special and will bring to life a first-of-its kind experience in music.”
John Janick
Janick added: “Since we began our partnership two years ago, Bang and I have often spoken about our shared beliefs in artist development, music and creativity.
“To develop a global group with Bang, with the best of K-Pop methodology, and our Geffen team, is truly special and will bring to life a first-of-its kind experience in music. Each candidate is incredibly talented, dedicated, and driven, making this an exciting moment for music fans around the world.”
“What’s incredibly exciting about this new group is the muti-national, global nature of the artists.”
Mitra Darab
Mitra Darab, President HxG, said: “What’s incredibly exciting about this new group is the muti-national, global nature of the artists.
“We live in a world that is so interconnected these days and music is what breaks down the barriers across languages and culture.”
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