HYBE to debut new K-pop groups this year 

HYBE, the agency of K-pop acts BTS, Seventeen, TXT and ENHYPEN, announced that it will debut new K-pop groups this year to join its lineup of artists.

During the company’s conference call for its 2022 fourth quarter earnings on Feb. 21, CEO Park Jiwon revealed the plans of the company.

He said two boy bands will be launched this year and an audition will be held for a new girl group.

“This year, several new artists will be added to the lineup,” he said.

Park Jiwon said the first will be a new boy band produced by rapper Zico of KOZ Entertainment "will debut in the first half of the year."

Producer Pop Time, known for (G)I-DLE’s song “Tomboy,” has “joined the project to create music and content that are intuitive and easy listening.”

The new boy band will be composed of members “that exhibit uniqueness and originality,” he said.

In addition, he said, Pledis Entertainment “will launch a new boy band within this as the first new act to be launched in eight years since Seventeen.” Pledis is under HYBE and is the agency of K-pop acts Seventeen and Fromis 9.

"The group is preparing for its debut with talented members selected through domestic and global auditions," he said.

Park Jiwon added that an audition is being prepared by HYBE and Universal Music Group in the US for a new girl group.

"Many people at HYBE are working hard together with globally renowned producers and songwriters as well as top talents who have produced successful pop albums for many decades for this fabulous project so that we can expand the K-pop market further," he said.