Former HYBE Execs Behind BTS Launch Global K-Pop Audition, Eyeing 2027 Debut for First Boy Group

Why It Matters

Retopia Salon leverages HYBE’s proven talent‑development expertise to create a new global K‑pop act, intensifying competition and expanding the industry’s talent pipeline.

Key Takeaways

• Retopia Salon holds auditions in 18 global cities.
• Target debut for first boy group scheduled 2027.
• Founders are former HYBE executives behind BTS projects.
• Auditions accept ages 2008‑2014, all nationalities.
• Company also scouting talent for future girl group.

Pulse Analysis

The K‑pop landscape has long been dominated by a handful of powerhouse agencies, with HYBE at the forefront after catapulting BTS to worldwide fame. Retopia Salon, founded by three former HYBE veterans—Bang Woo Jung, Kim Serene, and Park Jun Soo—aims to replicate that success by building a new boy group from the ground up. Their résumé includes producing BTS member Jin’s Run Jin YouTube series and the Disney+ show Are You Sure?!, giving them credibility and industry connections that could accelerate the group’s development and promotional reach.

Retopia Salon’s audition tour spans 18 cities across Asia‑Pacific, North America, and Australia, targeting a broad talent pool aged 2008‑2014. By offering vocal, rap, dance, and acting categories, the company mirrors the holistic training model that has become standard in Korean entertainment. This approach also reflects a broader industry trend, as rivals like SM Entertainment and HYBE itself conduct multi‑city global searches to tap emerging markets such as India and Latin America. The inclusion of a parallel girl‑group scouting initiative signals Retopia’s ambition to become a full‑service label rather than a one‑off project.

If successful, Retopia Salon could reshape the competitive dynamics of K‑pop by introducing fresh talent cultivated under a proven HYBE‑inspired framework. Investors may view the venture as a high‑growth opportunity, given the genre’s expanding streaming revenues and merchandise sales worldwide. Moreover, a 2027 debut aligns with the industry’s five‑year planning cycles, allowing ample time for rigorous training, brand building, and strategic partnerships. The company’s global audition footprint also underscores the continuing globalization of Korean pop culture, positioning Retopia Salon to capture new fanbases and diversify the genre’s revenue streams.