An audition program to find just one person. HYBE and Geffen Records' final puzzle piece fitting is announced, drawing attention. It is the story of "World Scout: The Final Piece," aimed at realizing the globalization of the K-pop production system led by HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk and completing a new four-member girl group that, along with KATSEYE, will dominate the global stage.
The outline has emerged. Three members from Dream Academy, which produced KATSEYE — Emily Kelavos (Emily Kelavos·U.S.), Lexie Levin (Lexie Levin·Sweden), Samara Siqueira (Samara Siqueira·Brazil) — have already been confirmed. The remaining member will be selected through a separate competition and join the final debut lineup. This process will be exclusively broadcast next spring on the Japanese OTT platform ABEMA.
Holding such a large-scale global audition to pick one member is very rare across girl group and boy group projects. According to HYBE and Geffen Records on the 11th, tens of thousands of applicants have already crowded in. With members from North America (Emily Kelavos), Europe (Lexie Levin), and South America (Samara Siqueira) confirmed, competition among applicants from Asian countries/regions for the remaining spot is reported to be even fiercer.
HYBE's ambitious aspirations are evident in preparations for a sister group to KATSEYE. As an extension of the globalization of the K-pop production system, a dual structure of next-generation pop icons with diversity and inclusivity is expected. This could act as a catalyst to change the balance of the global music market dominated by the world's three major music companies (Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group).
Global music industry insiders are focusing on the expansion of the "K-pop methodology" championed by HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk. HYBE's unique infrastructure, which discovers promising prospects and develops them into "complete artists" from vocals and dance to character education, and provides a system organically connecting communities where fandoms can form, is the key.
KATSEYE is a case that proved this "K-pop methodology" can work worldwide. Those who went through HYBE and Geffen Records' first audition project, The Debut: Dream Academy, solidified top positions on major global charts such as Billboard's Hot 100 and Billboard 200 within about a year of debut and recently raised a trophy at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards in the U.S.
Behind KATSEYE's success is HYBE's talent development and production system that turned K-pop into a global cultural content. HYBE and Geffen Records said K-pop methodology was applied while flexibly localizing concept and communication to fit the U.S. market, and that it is meaningful because it shattered some skepticism and prejudice about whether K-pop DNA could be grafted onto the culturally different U.S. market.
Participants in "World Scout: The Final Piece" will also experience a systematic K-pop training system, join a U.S. local camp and advance to the world stage. During the competition, each member's skills and charms are expected to stand out and form a solid fan base.
Fans' reactions heated up early. On the group's official Instagram opened under the name prelude_thefinalpiece, follower numbers are rapidly increasing past 200,000 despite only photos of Emily, Lexie and Samara and an intro film being uploaded. Including each member's personal social media accounts, the total follower count approaches 1 million.
Emily, a skilled performer who has worked as a professional dancer since age 14, received much love on The Debut: Dream Academy for her lovable looks and confident demeanor when she appeared. Lexie, who dreamed of singing, dancing and performing since age 3, is a talented artist who also has composition and producing skills. Samara left a strong impression with her soulful and delicate voice.
Fans have responded, "A combination of members who have performance, vocals, visuals and producing abilities. What kind of person will be chosen as the final member?" and "This group is convincing. They fit together so well." Expectations are high for the birth of a sister group that will grow alongside KATSEYE, which is rapidly advancing by transplanting the K-pop methodology into the global music market. Emily, Lexie, Samara / Photo courtesy of HYBE x Geffen Records
[Photo] HYBE x Geffen Records
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