HYBE India Expands Nationwide Talent Hunt to Eight New Cities

NEW DELHI: HYBE India announced on Tuesday that it is expanding its nationwide talent search to eight additional cities following a strong response to its initial round of auditions.

Titled 'HYBE India Audition: Final Call', the initiative aims to discover and develop young Indian female performers with skills in vocals, rap, dance, acting, and modelling. Selected candidates have the potential to be trained within the company's global artist development ecosystem.

The South Korean entertainment giant, which recently established its branch in India, will now take its on-ground search to Lucknow, Dimapur, Kohima, Shillong, Jaipur, Indore, Goa, and Kochi.

Online applications for the auditions opened on September 2 and will remain accessible until October 31. The expansion follows an extensive initial phase that drew applications from all 28 states and six union territories in India, as well as from the Indian diaspora globally. According to company data, submissions arrived from more than 1,650 cities across 116 countries.

Applicants wishing to participate in the on-ground auditions are required to register through the official audition website and select their preferred city. Shortlisted candidates will subsequently receive venue details from casting partners.

Damien Woochang Lee, CEO of HYBE India, stated that the initial response highlighted the depth of talent and ambition across the country.

'We have received applications from a remarkable range of regions and backgrounds, reinforcing our belief that there is still significant talent to be discovered,' Lee said. 'With 'HYBE INDIA Audition: Final Call', we are expanding our search to reach aspiring artists across the country. Our aim is to discover, nurture and develop talent with the potential to represent India on a global stage.'

In addition to on-ground and direct online submissions, HYBE India is accepting applications through various channels, including academies, institutes, WhatsApp, and casting partners.

"The expansion of HYBE India's talent hunt into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities demonstrates a strategic approach to tapping into diverse, undiscovered markets. By widening their geographic reach through a hybrid on-ground and digital model, global entertainment firms can efficiently map local talent pools at scale. This initiative highlights how international companies are recognizing India not just as a consumer market, but as a key hub for creative talent development." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes