John Janick has hailed Geffen Records and Hybe’s joint project to launch a new girl group as a “first of its kind experience” for the music industry.
The chairman & CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M has worked on the Hybe x Geffen Global Girl Group Audition with South Korean music and entertainment business Hybe and its chairman Bang Si-Hyuk (the pair are pictured above with Universal Music Group chairman & CEO Sir Lucian Grainge).
Twenty contestants from around the world are to compete for a place in the new group, with contestants selected from more than 120,000 submissions since applications opened in 2021.
Using K-Pop’s established training and development techniques, the JV marks the first time a US major and a K-Pop leader have worked together on the launch of a girl group.
The name and members of the group will be revealed later this year, with the 20 aspiring artists set to participate in an audition programme called The Debut: Dream Academy. Content from the process will premiere on September 1 at 8am U.S. PDT on YouTube globally and ABEMA in Japan.
I am very proud of the rich history we have made and the tremendous talent we have found
Bang Si-Hyuk, Hybe
Bang Si-Hyuk 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."
John Janick said: “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.”
Each candidate is incredibly talented, dedicated, and driven, this an exciting moment for music fans around the world
John Janick, Geffen
Geffen president Tom March is part of the team working on the project alongside Mitra Darab (president, HxG), Sungdeuk Son (executive creator, HxG), Humberto Leon (creative director), and Jay Ihn (head of creative production, HxG).
March added: “Watching these incredible candidates work so hard to fulfil their potential creatively has been hugely inspiring to me and everyone at Geffen. People are going to be blown away when they see what each of these candidates has been able to achieve so far.”
The process is also set to be the subject of an upcoming untitled Netflix documentary series, which will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the group’s journey to stardom. It will be directed by award-winning filmmaker, Nadia Hallgren (Becoming). The series produced by Hybe, Interscope Films and Boardwalk Pictures is set to premiere in 2024.
A film introducing the 20 contestants was presented at the press launch this week.
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