Global K-Pop Expansion Takes Center Stage

CJ ENM’s Mnet, a leading music entertainment channel in Korea, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Universal Music Group’s Republic Collective to launch a global K-pop girl group. This ambitious initiative, dubbed ‘Girls Planet 2027,’ marks a significant step in CJ ENM’s Music Creative eco-System (MCS) aimed at driving the global expansion of K-pop.

The partnership with Republic Collective will involve collaboration across the full scope of the project, from production to the debut group’s U.S. promotions and global rollout next year. This comprehensive approach is expected to yield a highly competitive and commercially viable global K-pop girl group.

Building on the success of previous MCS initiatives, such as Girls Planet 999 in 2021, which gave rise to global girl group Kep1er, and the latest global group to emerge from MCS, Alpha Drive One, formed through Mnet’s global K-pop debut project Boys II Planet in September 2025, backed by 26 million votes from fans across 223 regions and countries.

The MCS initiative has already demonstrated its potential for success, with Alpha Drive One’s debut album ‘Euphoria’ selling over 1.44 million copies in January 2026, making it the second-highest-selling debut album in K-pop history. The album’s title track, ‘Freak Alarm,’ also garnered significant attention and acclaim.

The search for the next global K-pop sensation has already begun, with Mnet Plus opening online applications on May 1. The response has been overwhelming, with over 36,000 applications received, a record high for Mnet’s audition series, with nearly a third of applicants coming from the Americas.

The application process is open to talented individuals from around the world, with applicants welcome to apply regardless of their current status as independent trainees, agency trainees, or debuted artists. The application period is ongoing, with further details on the selection process and on-site auditions to be announced in due course.

The partnership with Republic Collective is a significant milestone in CJ ENM’s Music Creative eco-System, underscoring the company’s commitment to fostering global talent and driving the international expansion of K-pop.

According to Harry H.K. Shin, Head of Music Entertainment at CJ ENM, ‘We are delighted to join forces with Republic to find and launch our next major global girl group. Through this partnership, we look forward to discovering extraordinary talent from every corner of the world and introducing them to global audiences.’

The success of this initiative will not only contribute to the global popularity of K-pop but also provide a platform for talented artists to showcase their skills and connect with fans worldwide.

The journey to global stardom has begun, with Mnet Plus and Republic Collective set to uncover the next big thing in K-pop. The anticipation is palpable, and fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the next global K-pop girl group.

Key Highlights

• Partnership between CJ ENM’s Mnet and Universal Music Group’s Republic Collective to launch a global K-pop girl group.
• Girls Planet 2027 initiative to produce and launch a global K-pop girl group.
• Republic Collective to collaborate across the full scope of the project, from production to U.S. promotions and global rollout.
• Online applications open on May 1, with over 36,000 applications received so far.
• On-site auditions to take place at KCON LA 2026 in August.