The Dream Academy is opening its doors.

Today, HYBE and Geffen Records presented 20 contestants for their first-ever global girl group. The Global Girl Group Auditions garnered over 120,000 submissions from 13 cities across the globe since it was announced in November 2021.

Young women aged 14 - 21 years old from South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, and more will be participating in a reality program titled The Debut: Dream Academy. Set to premiere on 1 September 2023, 8 AM PDT, fans can follow the contestants' journey to achieving their dreams of debuting as members of the US-based international girl group by HYBE and Geffen Records. The final members, as well as the name of the group, will be revealed when the program ends on 17 November 2023.

International fans can tune in via YouTube, while fans in Japan can watch the program on ABEMA. 

Fans can also join the newly opened The Debut: Dream Academy Weverse Community, and follow the exceptional journey of the 20 contestants. Voting on Weverse and TikTok will also be a crucial part of the competition.

Fans will play a crucial role throughout the entire competition via fan voting on Weverse and TikTok, alongside an esteemed panel of evaluators.

At the press event today (29/09), HYBE and Geffen Records' head honchos gave insight into the upcoming girl group and how it will impact the music industry on a global scale.

Bang Si-Hyuk (Chairman of HYBE): “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 (Chairman & CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M): “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.”

A panel of experts, who were instrumental to the project, comprising Tom March (President, Geffen Records), Mitra Darab (President, HxG), Sungdeuk Son (Executive Creator, HxG), Humberto Leon (Creative Director), and Jay Ihn (Head of Creative Production, HxG) held a Q&A for the press to further discuss what went on throughout the past year of training and what's to come.

A Netflix docuseries chronicling the years-long process of conceptualising and creating this one-of-a-kind girl group is set to premiere in 2024. Directed by award-winning filmmaker, Nadia Hallgren, the series is produced by HYBE, Interscope Films, and Boardwalk Pictures.