KCON 2023: Producers Seek U.S. Talent for New K-pop Girl Group
By Editor • August 19, 2026 • 2 min read
This past weekend, the KCON festival in Los Angeles turned into a bustling hub for aspiring K-pop artists as producers for the upcoming season of "Girls Planet" held open auditions. Situated in a makeshift booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the auditions attracted a steady flow of enthusiastic fans eager to showcase their talents.
Veteran producer Kim Sinyoung, known for his work on the previous seasons of the competition series, was present at the event on August 14-15. This season, titled "Girls Planet 2027," marks a significant collaboration between CJ ENM, the production company behind the show, and Republic Collective, a leading name in the U.S. music industry. The goal? To create a K-pop girl group that resonates with American and Western audiences.
Kim emphasized the unique approach this season, stating, "The reason why we are teaming up with Republic Collective is to create a girl group targeting the U.S. market directly." With Republic's extensive experience in pop, rock, and country genres, the partnership aims to promote the new group globally.
As auditions took place, Kim shared insights on what he seeks in potential stars. While musical talent is crucial, he stressed that personality and character play an equally vital role. "Skills like singing and dancing are very important, but more important are a strong character and personality to grab the attention of the audiences," he noted. The auditions not only measure vocal and dance abilities but also aim to uncover contestants' unique stories and charms.
Future auditions are planned in major cities like New York and London, with Kim expressing excitement about returning to Los Angeles for further talent scouting. The show will begin with a pool of 100 contestants, narrowing down to approximately 20, though the final number of group members is yet to be determined.
Similar to previous seasons, "Girls Planet" will consist of 10 to 12 episodes, culminating in a live finale where the audience votes in real-time, akin to popular shows like "American Idol." Kim reflected on the immense support the series has garnered, noting that past seasons have attracted over 7 million votes. "It gives the feeling of watching the presidential election — like a vote count," he remarked.
Having attended the inaugural KCON in Los Angeles over a decade ago, Kim expressed amazement at the evolution of the event and the growing crowd. "I’m very happy to see that," he concluded, highlighting the enthusiasm for K-pop and the potential for new talent.
Source: variety.com
