HYBE Opens 2026 Next New Creator Audition for Global Pop Producers
On Tuesday, HYBE Co., Ltd.—the conglomerate that turned BTS into a global phenomenon—announced the 2026 edition of its “Next New Creator” audition. The call invites pop‑music producers aged 19 and older to apply online from July 14 to August 12. Winners will receive a recruitment offer from one of HYBE’s four flagship labels—BigHit Music, Belift Lab, Pledis Entertainment, or YX Labels—and a prize of 5 million won (about $3,300).
The audition is open to individuals and teams. Applicants must submit at least two demo tracks that exclude artificial‑intelligence tools and provide a clear specification of each contributor’s role. HYBE stresses that it prefers candidates who “understand the global music market and trend,” yet it welcomes anyone with a specialty in pop‑music production, regardless of country, gender, or prior professional experience.
Each of the four labels that will be represented commands a roster of high‑profile acts. BigHit Music houses BTS, Tomorrow X Together, and the newly formed group Cortis; Belift Lab manages Enhypen and ILLIT; Pledis Entertainment oversees Seventeen and TWS; and YX Labels handles the Japanese boy band &TEAM. A placement with any of these labels offers producers a chance to contribute to projects that already enjoy worldwide commercial success.
HYBE has run the Next New Creator audition since 2016, using it as a talent‑scouting engine for its expanding roster of artists and production teams. The 2026 edition continues that tradition but adds a stricter rule against AI‑generated content, underscoring the company’s commitment to human creativity. The entire process is conducted online, allowing participants from across the globe to submit their work without travel.
For producers, the program presents a rare entry point into the K‑pop industry, which has historically been dominated by in‑house teams and local talent pools. By opening the audition to international applicants, HYBE signals a willingness to weave diverse sonic influences into its releases. While the prize money is modest, it serves as a tangible reward for finalists and a potential stepping‑stone to larger projects within the conglomerate.
The application window closes on August 12. After that, HYBE will review submissions and notify those who pass the first round. The company has not yet announced a deadline for the final recruitment offers, but past iterations of the program have concluded within a month of the application period.
In short, HYBE’s 2026 Next New Creator audition offers pop‑music producers worldwide a structured route into the company’s flagship labels. The program’s open‑call format, clear submission guidelines, and modest financial incentive illustrate HYBE’s ongoing strategy to blend global talent with its established K‑pop brand.
