HYBE India launches nationwide auditions for new girl group after KATSEYE success

After the global success of its girl group KATSEYE, entertainment giant HYBE is now turning its focus to India, announcing nationwide auditions to form a brand-new girl group.

A major push into India

HYBE India, the local arm of the company behind BTS, has opened auditions across the country as part of its plan to build India’s next global pop act. The move is part of HYBE’s broader strategy to tap into regional talent and develop artists who can compete on the global stage, blending Indian identity with the highly structured K-pop training system.

A report in Rolling Stone describes this as a significant step toward shaping what many are calling the rise of “I-pop”, India’s answer to the global pop phenomenon.

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Damien Woochang Lee, CEO of HYBE India, said, “India has never lacked talent or ambition – what’s been missing is a consistent pathway to the global stage.” He further elaborates that the company is building that bridge, nurturing artists with intention, and giving them a voice beyond borders. “This audition is where that process begins,” he adds.

Who can apply and what they’re looking for

The auditions are open nationwide, with HYBE scouting for young female talent skilled in singing, dancing, rapping and performance.

Starting March 31, 2026, the auditions will be a four-month tour until July 31, hitting 10 cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune, through both online and offline rounds.

While detailed eligibility criteria are expected to mirror global HYBE auditions, the focus remains on raw potential and trainability, rather than prior professional experience.

The selected candidates will reportedly undergo intensive training, similar to the K-pop trainee system, before being considered for debut.

Why KATSEYE matters here

HYBE’s recent global project KATSEYE, formed through a large-scale international audition system, has played a crucial role in shaping this India-focused expansion. The group, known for blending Western pop sensibilities with K-pop-style training and performance, has become a template for HYBE’s global ambitions.

The India auditions are expected to follow a similar blueprint, aiming to create a group that resonates both locally and internationally.

A larger global strategy

HYBE has been aggressively expanding beyond South Korea, launching projects across the US, Japan and Latin America, all built around discovering and training local talent for global audiences. The India auditions mark the company’s first major on-ground talent hunt in the country, signalling a long-term investment in the region’s music ecosystem.

With HYBE bringing its globally successful idol-making machinery to India, the auditions could mark a turning point for aspiring performers in the country. And if the KATSEYE model is anything to go by, this new girl group may not just be another debut, but a potential global breakout act in the making.