[All] WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE – HYBE’s New Girl Group? Full Guide to Members, Audition Eligibility, and Schedule!

HYBE and Geffen Records are launching their second global girl group project, WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE. Starting with large-scale auditions across Japan, they will select just one member to join three former The Debut: Dream Academy trainees, forming a new four-member girl group set to debut worldwide in 2026.

 

 

📌 Table of Contents   1. Overview of the Program 2. Member Composition 3. Studio Cast 4. Eligibility and Application Process 5. Audition Schedule 6. Significance and Expectations 7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

 

1. Overview of the Program

WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE is a global audition program set to air in the first half of 2026, jointly produced by HYBE and Geffen Records. This marks the second collaboration between the two companies, following the success of KATSEYE—a group formed through The Debut: Dream Academy in 2024.

 

 

Unlike its predecessor, this new project will conduct large-scale, nationwide auditions in Japan to select just one final member, who will join three already-confirmed trainees to form a four-member global girl group. The entire process will be broadcast globally via ABEMA, YouTube, and various social media platforms.

 

Around 60 contestants are expected to participate, judged by HYBE label executives and top global music experts. Those who pass will undergo intensive K-pop-style training, customized for the U.S. market, from October to December 2025, and the final debut lineup will be revealed during the 2026 broadcast.

 

 

 

 

2. Member Composition

Three members have already been confirmed—former The Debut: Dream Academy trainees who earned global attention for their skills. The mission of this project is to find the one last missing piece who will complete the team.

 

Name	Hometown	Age
Emily	Texas, USA	19
Samara	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	19
Lexie	Stockholm, Sweden	21
+1 (TBD)	To be selected through Japan auditions	-

 

Each of these three has distinctive strengths—vocal, performance, and creative ability—and the addition of one new Japanese member will complete the group’s unique identity.

 

 

 

 

3. Studio Cast

 

To make the show more immersive and engaging, five well-known figures from the Japanese and K-pop industries will join as studio cast members.

 

▪️指原莉乃 (Rino Sashihara), a veteran Japanese TV personality, will provide mentoring and commentary.

 

▪️LE SSERAFIM members SAKURA and KAZUHA, who have firsthand experience succeeding under HYBE’s system, will share valuable advice.

 

▪️ILLIT members IROHA and MOKA, both Japanese idols currently active in a global group, will offer encouragement and relatable insights to the contestants.

 

Their participation will add depth to the show and allow viewers to emotionally connect with the trainees’ journeys.

 

 

 

 

4. Eligibility and Application Process

Applications are open from August 6 to September 22, 2025. Eligible applicants must be between 15 and 24 years old, identify as female (she/her) or non-binary (they/them), and be willing and able to relocate to Los Angeles if selected. Applicants must submit an online form with personal details, performance videos, and photos. Parental consent is required for minors under 16.

 

Category	Details
Application Period	August 6 – September 22, 2025
Age Requirement	15 to 24 years old, female or non-binary
Mandatory Conditions	Full participation in training camps (Oct–Dec), relocation to LA
Required Materials	Vocal/rap video, dance video, full-body & face & side photos, self-introduction
Costs	No audition or training fees (Japan travel at applicant’s cost, U.S. camp covered by organizers)

Only successful applicants will be contacted, and inquiries about selection results will not be accepted.

 

 

 

 

5. Audition Schedule

The selection process consists of six stages, beginning with document screening and followed by several rounds of on-site auditions in Tokyo, then final training and evaluation in Los Angeles.

 

Stage	Location	Timing
Document Screening	Online	Late September 2025
1st Audition	Tokyo	Early October 2025
2nd Audition	Tokyo	Late October 2025
3rd Audition	Tokyo	Early November 2025
Final Evaluation	Los Angeles, USA	Mid-November to mid-December 2025

 

The entire journey will be filmed and broadcast worldwide on ABEMA and YouTube in spring 2026.

 

 

 

 

6. Significance and Expectations

 

This project represents HYBE’s bold move to localize the K-pop training system abroad, serving as a key strategy in their global expansion plan. By combining K-pop-style training with the infrastructure and networks of the U.S. music industry, HYBE and Geffen aim to create a new model for producing global idols from scratch.

 

What sets this project apart from other survival shows is its winner-takes-all format—among dozens of trainees, only one will be chosen as the “final piece.” This structure will naturally create intense competition and high emotional stakes, captivating audiences and building a compelling narrative arc.

 

 

 

 

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Is there an application fee?
A. No. However, applicants must cover their own travel and lodging costs within Japan. U.S. training expenses will be fully covered by the organizers.

 

 

Q. Can minors apply?
A. Yes. Applicants under 16 must provide parental consent and guardian contact information.

 

 

Q. Can I apply if I am already signed to an agency?
A. Yes, but you must submit official written consent from your current agency.

 

 

Q. Will non-finalists appear on the broadcast?
A. The production team may feature various contestants at their discretion, even if they are eliminated.

 

 

WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE is more than just an audition — it’s a major initiative to inject K-pop’s DNA directly into the global pop market. As the world watches, one final piece will complete the puzzle.

Who is the final piece? — The world is waiting to find out.

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