HYBE India, the regional subsidiary of the South Korean giant behind global icons like BTS and SEVENTEEN, has officially launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Indian girl group. The talent hunt, which opened on March 31, 2026, marks the company's most significant move toward localising the "K-pop methodology" in South Asia. BTS Song ‘SWIM’ Out: Bangtan Boys Navigate High Seas in Emotional ‘ARIRANG’ Comeback Track Starring Lili Reinhart (Watch Video).

HYBE to Launch Girl Group with Local Talent

The initiative aims to identify and nurture raw talent from across India to form a globally positioned girl group. By applying the same rigorous training and development (T&D) systems that produced acts like NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM, HYBE India plans to bridge the gap between Indian performers and the international music market.

Damien Woochang Lee, CEO of HYBE India, stated that the project was born from extensive research showing a strong demand among young Indian audiences for relatable role models. "India has never lacked talent or ambition," Lee said in a statement. "What’s been missing is a consistent pathway to the global stage. We are building that bridge."

The label has partnered with several high-profile brands, including Samsung, H&M, and Snapchat, to amplify the search. BookMyShow has been named the official ticketing partner for the audition rounds.

A Look at the Criteria for HYBE India’s New Girl Group

The talent search is specifically targeted at young women who aspire to a career in the global entertainment industry. The application window is currently open and will remain active until July 31, 2026.

Eligibility and Categories:

Age: Open to females born between 2005 and 2011.

Categories: Candidates can apply in five distinct categories: Vocals, Rap, Dance, Acting, or Modelling.

Format: The process includes both online submissions and in-person rounds.

Audition Locations:

In-person auditions are scheduled to take place in 10 major cities across the country, ensuring a broad geographic reach:

Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Chennai.

Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

Mumbai and Pune.

In a move to include the Indian diaspora, HYBE India has also confirmed that auditions will be accessible for non-resident Indians in global hubs such as London, New York, Toronto, Sydney, and Singapore.

HYBE India Auditions: Who Can Apply for the New Girl Group?

 

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The K-Pop Wave in India

This move follows the establishment of HYBE’s Mumbai headquarters last year, making India the company’s fifth international hub. The move follows a growing trend of "K-pop localisation," where South Korean entertainment agencies scout talent globally to create groups tailored for specific regions while maintaining high production standards. BTS’ V Aka Kim Taehyung Joins TikTok, Hits 3.5 Million Followers in 3 Days; Know Which Other Members Are on the Platform.

The success of Indian-origin artists in the industry, such as Sriya Lenka of BLACKSWAN, Aria of X:IN, and Lara Raj of HYBE’s own global group KATSEYE, has already demonstrated a significant appetite for Indian representation in the genre. Selected finalists from this audition cycle are expected to undergo intensive training before their official debut.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 31, 2026 05:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).