Tag: HYBE Labels

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Meet the 20 Contestants in Hybe X Geffen Records’ ‘The Debut: Dream Academy’

HYBE Labels and Geffen Records announce the participants for 'The Debut: Dream Academy.' Credit: Twitter/Dream Academy

K-pop entertainment company HYBE Labels partnered with Universal Music Group subsidiary Geffen Records to create a global girl group through The Debut: Dream Academy show. 

On Tuesday, August 29, the agency revealed the 20 candidates from all over the world who will be competing in the upcoming reality program. 

 

What we know about ‘The Debut: Dream Academy’

These 20 candidates were chosen from over 120,000 applicants from 13 cities across the globe. Also, these young women are aged between 14 to 21. 

Moreover, these candidates come from South Korea, Japan, United States, Australia, Brazil, Philippines, Argentina, Belarus, Sweden, and Slovakia. 

 

HYBE has also been releasing individual photos and profiles of the participants. As well as feature films showing the whole group. 

 

The audition program will air on Youtube and the Japanese streaming platform Abema starting on September 1. Over the course of 12-weeks, these 20 participants will undergo a series of survival missions.

Interestingly, fans can also help determine which of the candidates will make it to the US-based international group through online voting. 

 

The finale will air live on November 17, wherein they will announce the final lineup and the girl group’s name. 

Aside from the audition program, a Netflix docuseries chronicling the creation of this upcoming global girl group will also be in the works. It will be helmed by award-winning filmmaker Nadia Hallgren. And it is expected to be released sometime in 2024. 

HYBE goes global 

The entertainment company behind K-pop superstar BTS teamed up with the US label back in November 2021. 

“I have wanted to form an international group based on K-pop methodology for a while,” HYBE Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk told the press. 

For his part, Geffen A&M Records CEO John Janick also shared that they’re looking forward to this venture.  “Each candidate is incredibly talented, dedicated, and driven, making this an exciting moment for music fans around the world,” he added. 

Aside from The Debut: Dream Academy, one of the subsidiaries of HYBE Label is also holding a survival program for a girl group. Titled R U Next, the winning participants from the program will debut under BELIFT LAB. 

Moreover, several HYBE Label subsidiaries are holding global online auditions. 

BIGHIT Music’s audition program is only open to male applicants born between 2005 and 2013. It will close on September 22. Meanwhile, auditions for KOZ Entertainment will run until November 18. Only individuals born after 2006 can apply. 

Next is the most recently announced audition for PLEDIS Entertainment. Only individuals born after 2005 can audition, and it will run only until September 17.

Featured image: HYBE Labels and Geffen Records announce the participants for ‘The Debut: Dream Academy.’ Credit: Twitter/Dream Academy

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Look: Pledis Entertainment Launches ‘Wonder Teens’ Global Audition

SEVENTEEN releases special video for 'April Shower.' Credit: Twitter/SEVENTEEN

PLEDIS Entertainment, home to K-pop groups SEVENTEEN and fromis_9, is on the lookout for their next idol superstars!

On Friday, August 25, the agency announced that they’re launching their Wonder Teens global audition. 

Only individuals born after 2005 can audition. However, it is open to any gender and nationality. 

 

Additionally, those who plan to audition can apply in four categories: vocal, rap, dance, and “confidence.” According to their website, the confidence category is open to anyone who can “showcase their talent and ability.” 

“Based on the creativity and know-how to make dreams of performing at a global stage a reality, we are looking for the stars of the future,” PLEDIS Entertainment said in a press release.

The online auditions will run until September 17. Aspiring idols need to send their entries and fill the form through PLEDIS Entertainment’s website. 

Those who will pass the first round of auditions will be notified of the results within two weeks. Then, they’ll have to go through a second set of auditions, which will be conducted in person or through a live call. 

Moreover, this isn’t the first time that PLEDIS Entertainment opened their Wonder Teens global audition. In 2022, the agency held online auditions from March 18 to April 17 for individuals born after 2003. 

Reportedly, successful applicants from the audition will be accepted as trainees under PLEDIS Entertainment and will be awarded a scholarship. 

Back then, it was also reported that the agency is set to debut a new group in 2023. However, the agency has yet to confirm this. 

 HYBE’s new set of idols

Currently, PLEDIS Entertainment only have SEVENTEEN and fromis_9 as the active groups under their roster. 

However, the agency was also home to After School, NU’EST, and PRISTIN. PRISTIN disbanded in May 2019, while NU’EST disbanded in March 2022.

Although NU’EST has disbanded, members Hwang Min-hyun and Baekho stayed with Pledis Entertainment and pursued solo careers. 

 

Interestingly, PLEDIS Entertainment is also a subsidiary label of HYBE. Other record labels under HYBE include BIGHIT Music, ADOR, Source Music, and KOZ Entertainment. Recently, HYBE also acquired BELIFT LAB, ENHYPEN’s agency. 

Aside from PLEDIS Entertainment, BIGHIT Music and KOZ Entertainment have also launched their online auditions. 

BIGHIT Music’s audition program is only open to male applicants born between 2005 and 2013. It will close on September 22. Meanwhile, auditions for KOZ Entertainment will run until November 18. Only individuals born after 2006 can apply. 

Featured image: SEVENTEEN releases special video for ‘April Shower.’ Credit: Twitter/SEVENTEEN

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Koz Entertainment Launches Global Audition Tour

BOYNEXTDOOR during their Music Broadcast special stage. Credit: Facebook/BOYNEXTDOOR

KOZ Entertainment, the subsidiary agency under HYBE Labels founded by rapper Zico, is on the lookout for more aspiring idols! 

The label has launched its 2023 KOZ Global Audition titled “You Become What You Believe.” 

 

Only individuals born after 2006, regardless of gender or nationality, are eligible to apply. 

Additionally, those interested in audition should showcase their talents in either dance, vocal, rap, songwriting, or playing a musical instrument. 

Moreover, all applications should complete the mandatory online registration that can be found on KOZ Entertainment’s website. 

After the online applications, only those who pass the initial screening will be able to attend the on-site global audition on the specified dates. 

The audition tour will span over 20 cities. The list includes Seoul, Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Okinawa, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. 

Auditions are set to run until November 18. 

HYBE’s growing number of artists 

KOZ Entertainment is home to rookie boy group BOYNEXTDOOR. The six-piece act, who made their debut on May 30, will release their first mini-album Why on September 4. 

Aside from KOZ Entertainment, BIGHIT Music is also holding an online global audition. Said agency is home to groups BTS and Tomorrow X Together (TXT). 

Moreover, BIGHIT MUSIC is one of the many record labels housed under HYBE. Recently, HYBE acquired BELIFT LAB, ENHYPEN’s agency. 

Featured image: BOYNEXTDOOR during their Music Broadcast special stage. Credit: Facebook/BOYNEXTDOOR

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Look: Bighit Music Opens Global Auditions

K-pop groups BTS and TXT are under BIGHIT Music. Credit: Twitter/BIGHIT Music Audition

Dreaming of becoming labelmates with K-pop powerhouses BTS and TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT)? Well, this might be your chance! 

BIGHIT MUSIC announced on Friday, August 11, that they are opening global auditions for their next boy group. 

The auditions are open to male candidates of any nationality born from 2005 and after. 

Additionally, interested applicants can choose to audition among several categories: vocal, rap, dancing, acting, modeling, and producing. 

Applications are open from August 11 to September 22 via the Big Hit Audition website. 

Previously in February to April 2023, BIGHIT MUSIC also held an audition for aspiring idols. Only male applicants born between 2005 and 2013 were eligible. 

During this set of auditions, the label also held in-person auditions in Korea and Japan aside from the online ones. 

 

 

Besides these series of global auditions, BIGHIT MUSIC remains mum about their next act. Their latest group to debut was TXT in 2019. Before that was BTS, who debuted in 2013. 

Moreover, BIGHIT MUSIC is one of the many record labels housed under HYBE. Recently, HYBE acquired BELIFT LAB, ENHYPEN’s agency. 

Featured image: K-pop groups BTS and TXT are under BIGHIT Music. Credit: Twitter/BIGHIT Music Audition

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Boynextdoor Set for September Comeback With ‘Why’

BOYNEXTDOOR in a concept photo for their single debut album 'Who.' Credit: Facebook/BOYNEXTDOOR

Just four months since their May debut, rookie K-pop boy group BOYNEXTDOOR is already set to make their first comeback! 

BOYNEXTDOOR announced on Tuesday, August 8, that their releasing their first mini-album WHY on September 4.  

 

The six-piece act also released the promotion scheduler, which showed that a trailer film will be out on August 13. 

Meanwhile, the track list will be available on August 17. The scheduler also showed that the group will have two concept photos with the themes “Moody” and “Dazed.”

Additionally, the track spoiler and music video teaser will be unveiled on August 27 and 31, respectively. 

BOYNEXTDOOR made their debut under KOZ Entertainment on May 30 with the single album WHO! Aside from the title track “Serenade,” said album also carries the songs “But I Like You” and “One and Only.”

Moreover, KOZ Entertainment is a subsidiary label under HYBE Labels founded by rapper Zico. 

BOYNEXTDOOR is composed of members Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan, and Woonhak. 

Additionally, the youngest member, Woonhak, has been tapped to host Inkigayo. He’s hosting the music show alongside TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Yeonjun and actress Park Ji Hu. 

Featured image: BOYNEXTDOOR in a concept photo for their single debut album ‘Who.’ Credit: Facebook/BOYNEXTDOOR

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Look: Former Hybe Trainee Leo Drops Teaser for Solo Debut

Former HYBE trainee Leo is now under 131 Label. Credit: Twitter/131 Label

Almost a year after leaving HYBE Labels, Leo is gearing up for his debut as a solo artist. 

Leo previously trained under HYBE Labels, and he was one of the popular members of the debut team Trainee A.

 

Netizens also recognized him for appearing alongside two NewJeans members in the music video of BTS’ “Permission to Dance.” 

However, Leo was embroiled in controversy in December 2021 for his scandalous lyrics.

The aspiring idol was criticized for his rap, which he personally wrote, with netizens being dismayed for his supposed misogynistic view and insensitive takes against women. 

The production team in charge of Trainee A who uploaded Leo’s rap performance quickly took down the video and issued an apology. 

Leo also apologized, saying that he’s “extremely embarrassed and ashamed” of his performance. He added that he’s “reflecting on [his] mistakes” and he’ll “strive to do whatever it takes to reflect and learn” from it. 

Yet in August 2022, Leo announced that he’s leaving Trainee A. There, he revealed that his worries just kept getting bigger over the three and a half years that he spent training. 

“I tried to hide from others but the worries kept growing with time, until I couldn’t even control them,” he explained. 

Leo’s new start

Not much was heard from Leo after his departure from HYBE Labels until he surprised his fans with plans for a solo debut. 

131 Label, the independent agency established by Kim Hanbin or B.I, announced that Leo has signed an exclusive contract with them. 

 

Aside from making official social media accounts for their artist, 131 Label also unveiled the activities for Leo’s debut. 

Leo’s debut single will be released on August 17. Meanwhile, the music video will be out on August 29. 

Details about the song title and his debut stage have yet to be disclosed. 

Featured image: Former HYBE trainee Leo is now under 131 Label. Credit: Twitter/131 Label

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Hybe Apologizes After Drawing Flak for Inappropriate Body Search at &Team’s Fan Meeting

HYBE has issued a formal apology following allegations of sexual harassment against their security staff during a recent fan signing event of group &TEAM. 

On Saturday, July 8, &TEAM, a boy group under HYBE LABELS JAPAN, held an in-person fan signing event in Seoul. 

However, several fans took to social media to complain about their alleged invasive encounter with the event’s security staff, with the hashtag “underwear search” quickly trending in South Korea. 

According to the attendees, instead of using a metal detector to search for electronic devices, the security staff allegedly ushered them to a small area instead and told them to lift their shirts so they could touch the fan’s breasts. 

Some attendees also noted that when they were being searched, other staff also entered the room and observed the process. Others also wrote that the staff members didn’t even apologize to them even when they found nothing incriminating on the fans. 

Following the online backlash, HYBE Labels issued a statement on late Sunday, July 9, via WeVerse shop. 

The agency started by explaining that in events such as fan signing, it’s important to prevent any unauthorized recordings from being leaked, as this could have negative consequences for both the fans and the artists. That’s why they’ve set-up strict regulations regarding the prohibition of electronic devices capable of recording. 

However, they’ve encountered several fans who don’t adhere to these rules by hiding electronic equipment on their bodies. HYBE explained that this is why several female security guards carried body checks to the fans who attended the July 8 event. 

“We apologize to the fans who attended the event with happy hearts for making you uncomfortable,” the agency said, according to a translation by Soompi. 

“Even if it was a security issue, we are aware that it is not an acceptable excuse for making fans uncomfortable. We sincerely apologize that this kind of incident happened at the event.”

HYBE then promised that they will develop plans for improvements, including the implementation of contact-free methods for security checks. 

Composed of EJ, Nicholas, K, Fuma, Yuma, Jo, Harua, Taki and Maki, &TEAM is HYBE’s first Japanese boy band. They debuted in September 2022, and released their second EP First Howling: WE in June. 

Members EJ, Nicholas, K, and Taki previously participated in the survival series I-LAND, which formed the group ENHYPEN.

Featured image: &TEAM’s Twitter

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NewJeans Confirmed for July Comeback

NewJeans will be returning with new music this summer. A representative for the girl group’s agency has confirmed that Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein are preparing for a comeback in July.

ADOR Confirms NewJeans’ Summer Comeback Set For July

News1 reported that NewJeans will be releasing a pre-release song on July 7, 2023. The outlet also revealed that the girl group will release a new album later in the same month.

Since then, a representative for NewJeans’ agency ADOR has addressed the reports. “It is true that NewJeans is preparing for a July comeback. We will inform you once the schedule is confirmed,” the source said.

This is great news considering that fans have been waiting for a New Jeans comeback for some time now. It also means the girl group will be releasing yet another catchy summer track this year.

New Jeans dropped their debut single “Attention” in July 2022. It was soon followed by “Hype Boy”, which became the longest-running song on the Billboard Global 200 by a K-pop female act. It also charted for 35 weeks, becoming NewJeans’ first global hit.

New Jeans’ latest album is the single album ‘OMG’ released in January 2023. It became their first album to sell over one million copies while the title track of the same name also went viral on TikTok.

In related news, Danielle has been confirmed to play Ariel in the Korean dubbed version of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”. The NewJeans member has just unveiled her own rendition of the classic song “Part of Your World” as part of the remake’s promotions.

The details on NewJeans’ July comeback have not yet been revealed but the new release comes at the perfect time later this year. Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein have been confirmed to perform at the Lollapalooza and Summer Sonic Festival in August 2023.

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