After their dreams of joining KATSEYE were dashed during the highly competitive “The Debut: Dream Academy” audition program last year, three talented contestants have found themselves with a remarkable second chance at stardom.
Emily Kelavos from the United States, Samara Siqueira from Brazil, and Lexie Levin from Sweden, who each garnered substantial fan followings despite not making the final cut, have been confirmed as members of HYBE and Geffen Records‘ next global girl group set to debut in 2026.
The entertainment powerhouses announced their follow-up project to KATSEYE earlier this month, revealing their strategy to capitalize on the immense talent pool discovered during their initial global audition that attracted over 120,000 applicants worldwide.
This new quartet, still missing its final member, represents HYBE and Geffen’s continued commitment to establishing a foothold in the international music market through culturally diverse girl groups.
The fourth and final member will emerge from “World Scout: The Final Piece,” a Japanese audition survival show scheduled to stream on Abema next year.
This approach mirrors the companies’ successful formula of building anticipation through competitive reality programming while leveraging existing fan interest in previously introduced talents.
Beginning in October 2025, the group will undergo intensive training in the United States, adhering to the rigorous Korean idol training system that emphasizes vocal technique, choreography mastery, and language skills.
This three-month preparation period will culminate in their global debut in Spring 2026, precisely two years after KATSEYE’s successful launch with hits like “Touch” and “Gnarly.”
The official announcement for this exciting new project was made on Saturday, August 31, 2025, generating immediate buzz across social media platforms.
Industry analysts note that this strategic recycling of rejected talents serves multiple purposes: it reduces market entry risk by featuring performers with established recognition, maintains fan engagement across projects, and maximizes return on the companies’ initial investment in talent development.
Following KATSEYE’s meteoric rise in the industry with their Y2K fashion influence and distinctive style, the new group is expected to carve out their own unique aesthetic and sound.
The members will focus on developing their personal brands while collaborating with renowned producers to create music that showcases their distinctive vocal styles and artistic visions.
The group plans to utilize streaming platforms across multiple services including Spotify, YouTube Music, and Tidal to maximize their global reach from day one.
The approach also exemplifies HYBE and Geffen Records’ long-term vision of creating sustainable global music acts that transcend cultural boundaries while appealing to diverse international audiences.
