Mnet And UMG’s REPUBLIC Join Forces To Discover The Next Global Girl Group Through GIRLS PLANET 2027

The search for the next generation of global K-Pop stars has officially begun. Following the success of previous global audition projects that introduced groups with international fanbases, CJ ENM’s Mnet and Universal Music Group’s REPUBLIC Collective are joining forces for a new chapter in global talent discovery with GIRLS PLANET 2027, an upcoming girl group debut project set to premiere in 2027.

The large-scale partnership aims to create a new global girl group by combining Mnet’s experience in K-Pop talent development and survival programs with REPUBLIC Collective’s expertise in worldwide music promotion and artist expansion. Spanning the full journey from production to the group’s eventual global debut, the collaboration represents one of the biggest international efforts yet to discover and launch the next generation of K-Pop artists.

Known for creating some of the most influential audition programs in K-Pop, Mnet has played a major role in introducing new artists to audiences around the world. The upcoming GIRLS PLANET 2027 project follows the success of Girls Planet 999, which aired in 2021 and produced global girl group Kep1er. Building on that foundation, the new series will search for talented performers from across the globe who embody the energy, passion, and creativity that have helped K-Pop become one of the world’s most influential music movements.

The project arrives during a period of continued global expansion for Mnet’s Music Creative eco-System (MCS), which focuses on discovering, developing, and managing artists while creating new ways for fans to connect with K-Pop. Through GIRLS PLANET 2027, Mnet hopes to introduce another group capable of connecting with audiences across cultures while continuing the evolution of K-Pop’s global reach. The partnership with REPUBLIC Collective adds another layer of international influence to the project. As part of Universal Music Group, REPUBLIC has played a role in developing and promoting some of the world’s biggest artists across multiple genres. Through this collaboration, REPUBLIC will participate throughout the project’s lifecycle, including production and the debut group’s U.S. promotions and global rollout.

“Through this partnership, we look forward to discovering extraordinary talent from every corner of the world and introducing them to global audiences,” said Harry H.K.Shin, Head of Music Entertainment at CJ ENM, highlighting the shared goal of creating a new generation of artists who can connect with fans worldwide.

The global search is already underway, and the response has been larger than previous Mnet audition projects. Since online applications opened on May 1 through global K-Pop platform Mnet Plus, more than 36,000 applicants have submitted their auditions, marking a record high for Mnet’s audition series. Nearly 30 percent of applicants come from the Americas, reflecting the continued growth of K-Pop’s influence beyond Asia and the increasing number of aspiring artists hoping to join the industry.

Applications have been accepted in multiple languages, including Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish, allowing participants from a wide range of backgrounds to take part. Applicants must have been born before January 1, 2013, and the audition remains open to independent trainees, agency trainees, and even currently debuted artists who meet the requirements.

For fans attending KCON LA 2026, the search will also become a live experience. Large-scale on-site auditions for GIRLS PLANET 2027 are scheduled to take place during KCON LA 2026 from August 14 through 16 in downtown Los Angeles, giving aspiring performers an opportunity to participate in front of one of the largest K-culture gatherings in the world. The timing of the announcement is especially significant as KCON LA continues expanding beyond a traditional music festival into a global platform celebrating all aspects of Korean entertainment and culture. By bringing auditions directly to fans, Mnet and REPUBLIC are creating another opportunity for international audiences to become part of the journey from discovery to debut.

Mnet’s history of global audition programs has already produced several successful acts. Most recently, the global boy group ALPHA DRIVE ONE was created through BOYS II PLANET in 2025 after receiving more than 26 million fan votes across 223 regions and countries. Following their debut album EUPHORIA, led by title track “FREAK ALARM,” the group achieved one of the highest-selling debut albums in K-Pop history, continuing the impact of Mnet’s global projects.

With GIRLS PLANET 2027, Mnet and REPUBLIC are once again looking beyond traditional boundaries to discover artists who represent the future of K-pop. As more fans around the world become invested in the journeys of emerging performers, global audition programs have become more than just competitions. They have become opportunities for artists and fans to build a connection from the very beginning. As thousands of applicants take their first steps toward becoming the next global girl group, GIRLS PLANET 2027 represents another major moment in K-Pop’s ongoing evolution. The next generation of artists is waiting to be discovered, and fans around the world will be watching as a new story begins.