Hybe is expanding its girl group audition project in India to 23 in-person locations, adding eight cities after the first round drew applicants from across the country and its overseas diaspora, the K-pop company said Thursday.
Hybe India announced the "Hybe India Audition: Final Call" on its official social media channels Wednesday, adding Lucknow, Dimapur, Kohima, Shillong, Jaipur, Indore, Goa and Kochi to its search for prospective artists.
Combined with the 10 Indian cities and five overseas locations covered in the first round, the additions bring the total number of cities hosting in-person auditions to 23.
The project is an extension of the "Hybe India Girl Group Audition," which began in March. Women born between 2005 and 2011 can apply in categories including vocals, rap, dance, acting and modeling.
According to Hybe, the first round attracted applicants from all 28 Indian states and six union territories, as well as people of Indian descent living overseas. In total, applications came from some 1,650 cities across 116 countries.
"The interest in the auditions shows the depth of talent and ambition across India," Lee Woo-chang, Hybe India CEO, said. "Applicants from a wide range of regions and backgrounds took part, reinforcing our belief that there is still exceptional talent waiting to be discovered."
Lee said Hybe India aims to discover and systematically train artists with the potential to represent India on the global stage.
Hybe has been expanding its artist development operations outside Korea as part of what it calls its multihome, multigenre strategy, with projects in the US, Japan and Latin America. Its global acts include Katseye, &Team and Santos Bravos. Katseye member Lara Raj is of Indian heritage.
jaaykim@heraldcorp.com
