South Korea’s BigHit Music, the Hybe label behind BTS, has opened a global audition to form a new K-pop (Korean pop) boy band. Applications are being accepted through December 5, with walk-in auditions scheduled in 15 cities worldwide.
Application details#
Online submissions for the 2026 BigHit Music Global Audition are open now through December 5. In-person applications run from October 3 to December 5, and no advance registration is required.
Walk-in audition cities include:
- Los Angeles
- Vancouver
- Toronto
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Auckland
- Tokyo
- Osaka
- Bangkok
- Jakarta
- Taipei
- Seoul
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Hanoi
- Singapore
Eligibility#
The audition is open to male performers born in 2008 or later, regardless of nationality or place of residence. Applicants can present their talent and individuality in any format they choose.
“We welcome all applicants who are pursuing their dreams,” the label said. “We encourage active participation from talented individuals who can demonstrate their unique individuality and abilities across various fields.”
Industry context#
Retopia Salon, a company formed by former Hybe executives, announced auditions in April across 18 cities for a boy group it aims to debut next year. SM Entertainment, a rival to Hybe, has also announced global auditions across 21 cities.
Hybe has been applying the artist training and development model used for BTS in other markets. Its first Western girl group, Katseye, was formed with Universal Music Group’s Geffen Records through the Dream Academy audition. BigHit Music’s five-piece boy band CORTIS, the label’s first such group in six years, debuted in August last year.
The new group push follows BTS’s return this year after members completed mandatory South Korean military service. The group’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, ranked No. 1 in U.S. vinyl and CD album sales in the first half of the year.
