YG Entertainment has launched the 2026 YG Global Audition to find new singers, dancers, and actors from around the world.
This initiative marks a strategic push to expand the agency's talent pool beyond the traditional K-pop framework. By recruiting globally, YG aims to prepare a new generation of performers to follow the success of established acts like Blackpink, Treasure, and BABYMONSTER.
The audition period runs from July through December 2026 [1]. The company first announced these plans on March 4, 2026, at midnight KST [4]. This search comes two years after the agency's previous global audition cycle [3].
Recruiters will visit 16 cities across Asia, North America, and Oceania [2]. In Asia, stops include Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Bangkok [2]. The North American leg features Los Angeles, Dallas, New Jersey, Vancouver, and Toronto [2]. The tour concludes with stops in Sydney and Auckland [2].
While some reports describe the event as a special audition specifically for the next K-pop group, other sources frame it as a broader worldwide talent search for various performers [1]. The agency is seeking hidden talent to diversify its roster, a move that aligns with the growing international influence of the Korean entertainment industry.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials through the official audition portal. The company has not yet specified the exact dates for each city stop, but the search remains active through the end of the year [1].
“YG aims to prepare a new generation of performers to follow the success of established acts like Blackpink, Treasure, and BABYMONSTER.”
This global expansion indicates that YG Entertainment is shifting toward a more decentralized talent acquisition model. By targeting 16 major international hubs, the agency is reducing its reliance on domestic trainees and attempting to integrate global appeal directly into the formation of its next group, rather than exporting a finished Korean product to international markets.
