HYBE and Geffen Records are already gearing up for their next move in global pop with the launch of a second girl group, scheduled to debut in 2026. This will be a follow-up to the breakthrough success of KATSEYE.
HYBE and Geffen Records have launched a new global girl group project, officially beginning large-scale auditions in Japan under the title WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE. The project follows the formation of KATSEYE, the first global girl group created through their 2023 joint venture, The Debut: Dream Academy.
This audition initiative was announced on Thursday, August 7. Those selected will receive intensive “K-pop-style” training from October to December, after which they will relocate to the U.S. for a final training camp and competitive evaluation. The finalists will debut in 2026. The entire process will be documented and streamed exclusively on the Japanese OTT platform ABEMA in spring 2026.
According to HYBE, the project will feature direct scouting by label’s top global talent team. Those who pass will be trained in vocal, dance, performance, and team skills using a system tailored for the U.S. pop market but grounded in K-pop production standards.
The first girl group created through this system, KATSEYE, has quickly risen to international recognition.
Their second EP, Beautiful Chaos, released in June, peaked at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200, with tracks like “Gnarly” and “Gabriela” entering both the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200.
They recently performed at Lollapalooza Chicago, drawing a record-breaking daytime audience (85000 spectators).
The new audition program, “WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE,” is expected to replicate or exceed this success by targeting untapped global talent. HYBE and Geffen emphasize that the project will show how selected individuals grow through collaboration with top producers and artists.
HYBE’s sub-label, BIGHIT MUSIC, is also launching a new 5-member boy group, CORTIS, on August 18. The biggest K-pop agency is expanding its roster by tapping into overseas markets like India, China, and Latin America.
HYBE is known for managing global powerhouse acts like BTS, SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT), NewJeans, and LE SSERAFIM, all of whom have secured high rankings on global charts and built strong international fanbases. This expansion project with Geffen Records is seen as part of HYBE’s broader strategy to establish K-pop-rooted artists in major Western markets.
