Chief producer Yang Hyun-seok will participate as a judge, raising expectations.
Applicants, regardless of gender or nationality, must showcase their potential from 2007 to 2015.
[TV Daily Reporter Kim Ji-hyun] YG Entertainment is ramping up efforts to find new talent for a group that will follow BLACKPINK and TREASURE through a 'special audition.' Starting today, January 21, until February 28, YG has announced the '2026 YG SPECIAL AUDITION: GO! DEBUT.' Notably, Yang Hyun-seok, the chief producer, will be directly involved in the entire judging process, making this event particularly noteworthy.
The subtitle 'GO! DEBUT' hints at YG's commitment to discovering talent that will shape the future of the global K-pop market, going beyond merely finding trainees. YG has a storied history of producing global acts such as Big Bang, 2NE1, BLACKPINK, WINNER, iKON, TREASURE, and BABYMONSTER, so expectations are high for this audition as well.
Applications can be submitted until February 28 via the YG audition website or a QR code found on the poster. Open to anyone born between 2007 and 2015, regardless of gender or nationality, applicants will have to showcase their potential in one of five categories: singing, rapping, dancing, visuals, or charisma through a one-minute video.
This audition by YG can be interpreted as a strategic move to discover talents that will shape the future of K-pop. Yang Hyun-seok's direct involvement in the judging process serves as a crucial element in showcasing how he envisions the future of K-pop. YG has a history of producing global artists, which certainly raises expectations for this audition as well.
Moreover, the open application policy without gender or nationality restrictions reflects YG's efforts to embrace diversity. As globalization continues within K-pop, having artists from different backgrounds is becoming increasingly vital in the industry, making this a positive step forward.
Finally, the innovative approach of requiring applicants to showcase their potential across various categories indicates that YG is aiming not just for trainees but for discovering true artists. As a result, many applicants will have the opportunity to shine and demonstrate their unique talents.
This article is KOSTAR’s reinterpretation of a story originally reported by TVDaily.
Photo: TVDaily
