HYBE India Launches Nationwide Auditions for New Girl Group

HYBE India, the Indian arm of the South Korean conglomerate that manages BTS, Seventeen, Tomorrow X Together, Enhypen and Le Sserafim, opened a nationwide audition on March 31 2026 to find a new girl group. The call for applications is open to females born between 2005 and 2011 and will close on July 31 2026.

The announcement follows HYBE’s recent expansion into India, where it has already staged pop‑up events and fan‑experience parks in Mumbai and Delhi. According to the company’s India CEO Damien Woochang Lee, India’s fast‑growing music ecosystem—characterised by a surge in independent artists, expanding live‑event infrastructure and digital streaming—offers a “unique opportunity for innovation and long‑term growth.”

Lee said the audition is part of a broader strategy to build a music ecosystem that reflects India’s cultural diversity. He added that HYBE will combine its expertise in artist development, music and content production, performance training and fan engagement with a deep understanding of local traditions. The company has applied a similar model in the United States, Japan and Latin America, working with artists such as KATSEYE, &TEAM, aoen and SANTOS BRAVOS.

The company’s first‑ever pop‑up park in Mumbai, held in May and June, attracted large crowds and served as a scouting ground. Lee noted that the audition process revealed a wide range of talent: vocalists who could move between Indian classical, Carnatic, pop, hip‑hop and rap, and dancers who blended Kathak and Bharatanatyam with contemporary styles. He said the diversity of talent was a key factor in deciding to launch the search for a girl group.

The audition is open to all Indian females aged 15 to 21, with applications accepted online at india.hybeaudition.com. The company has also partnered with Shoppers Stop and other retailers to host immersive “Get Spotlight Ready” in‑store experiences in Delhi’s Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, and other locations.

HYBE India’s approach to training differs from the traditional K‑pop idol model. Lee explained that the company does not intend to transplant the South Korean system wholesale. Instead, it will “combine HYBE’s expertise…with a deep understanding of India’s own creative traditions and cultural context.” The company plans to collaborate with local artists and the Indian diaspora to train the new group.

The company’s CEO said the focus on a girl group comes from research showing that young women in their teens and twenties are among the most culturally engaged and influential audiences in India. He added that the company sees a gap between the depth of female talent and the opportunities to nurture and showcase that talent at scale.

HYBE India has not yet announced a name for the group or a timeline for its debut. The company stated that it will continue to refine its understanding of the Indian market and will pursue collaborative projects with Korean and U.S. artists.

The audition process is currently underway, with the final application deadline set for July 31. HYBE India has not yet released any further details on the selection criteria or the next steps for shortlisted candidates.

The launch of the audition marks a significant milestone in HYBE’s global expansion strategy, signalling its intent to tap into India’s vibrant music scene while maintaining a locally relevant approach to artist development.