HYBE x Geffen present 20 candidates for global girlgroup!

K-Pop Blog > News> Debut: Dream Academy

“Today im happy to be sharing with you a dream of mine that i had for a very long time. I wanted to form, based on a kpop methodology, an international group and develop them into a global girlgroup.” With these words, Bang Si Hyuk, the founder of HYBE Entertainment, opened his speech at a press conference yesterday.

This conference was for the purpose of introducing the 20 candidates for the global girl group. So Bang Si Hyuk's dream is actually about to come true! As early as this year, the final decision will be made as to which of the 20 global talents will debut in the new girl group.

In this sensational conference, music industry giants HYBE and Geffen Records have announced the participants for the first global girl group to emerge from this unique collaboration.

The contestants:

After receiving over 120,000 applications, 20 contestants from around the world have been selected to compete for a spot in this groundbreaking girl group.

With few exceptions, the contestants are 17 to 21 years old. The youngest participants are the two Japanese girls HINARI (14 years), UA (15 years) and the Korean girl YOONCHAE (15 years).

They come from all over the world! In fact, 12 different countries are represented: Thailand, USA, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Belarus, Argentina, Sweden, Slovakia and Switzerland.

We are very excited to get to know them a little better over the next few weeks!

The Debut: Dream Academy:

The 20 contestants will now participate in an audition program called "The Debut: Dream Academy". The fans can accompany the contestants on their way through the audition program. The first episode will air as early as September 1! The show will run for several months months and the finale will take place on November 17.

During these weeks, the contestants will compete in 3 exciting missions. After each mission, a few contestants will be eliminated from them until only 10 are left in the finale.

The final members of the girl group will be determined by the fans, as they will be able to vote on Weverse and TikTok throughout the competition.

Netflix docu-series:

The long-running creation of this unique girl group will also be the subject of an upcoming Netflix docu-series set to premiere in 2024. The series, produced by HYBE, Interscope Films and Boardwalk Pictures, will provide insight into the path to global stardom and highlight HYBE and Geffen Records' unique training and development program.

In fact, the process began back in the fall of 2021, when the Global Auditions launched, allowing talents from around the world to apply to make their dream come true. The auditions ended in June 2023, but already in June 2022 the first candidates moved to LA to live and train together. And now they finally have the chance to prove their talent in front of the whole world!

An art film introducing the contestants and showcasing their talents was uploaded to YouTube after the press conference:

This exciting project promises the birth of a groundbreaking international girl group that will impact the music industry on a global scale!

Sources: Press materials