Forming global-but-local groups by introducing the K-pop training system into the US pop music industry demonstrates K-pop’s potential for continued expansion. Through a collaboration between HYBE AMERICA and Geffen Records, US-based global girl group KATSEYE not only gripped audiences worldwide with the Netflix docuseries “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE” but also made waves with their recent single “Gnarly,” released on April 30. The song debuted at No. 92 on the “Billboard” Hot 100 on May 13, marking the group’s first time on the chart. Now, HYBE AMERICA is planning its next bold step by holding auditions for a global boy group in partnership with Ryan Tedder, frontman of OneRepublic and a three-time Grammy Album of the Year award-winning producer. We spoke with the HYBE X Ryan Tedder project director Hye Jin Lee, HYBE AMERICA T&D Specialist Carmina Arriola, and Casting Executive Kerrie Mailey about the direction the project is headed, the qualities they’re looking for in prospective talent, and key insights for audition applicants.
Could each of briefly introduce yourselves? Could you also explain how you’re using your past experience in the industry for this project?
Hye Jin Lee (HYBE AMERICA): I’m Hye Jin Lee, the project director. Before coming to the US, I worked in Korea as the head of marketing and head of management at BIGHIT MUSIC, overseeing BTS and Lee Hyun. I later served as the marketing director for the KATSEYE project. While I was in Korea, I witnessed BTS and many other K-pop boy groups challenge the divide between Western pop and K-pop, and it gave me the chance to see the potential for success of Western pop boy groups who adopt K-pop-style fandoms. Then, through directing all of the marketing for KATSEYE, I learned the importance of optimizing things to American tastes, such as promotion timelines, release schedules, and content strategies, rather than merely trying to replicate the K-pop formula as-is. Since we’re holding auditions for a boy group this time around, we’re dedicated to exploring the unique characteristics of boy groups and their fandoms in depth and incorporating that into our strategy.
Carmina Arriola (HYBE AMERICA T&D Specialist): In my role as a Training & Development Specialist for the HYBE America boy group project, I am responsible for monitoring the physical and mental well-being of each trainee while fostering a structured, supportive, and motivating environment. With almost two decades of experience working with young people in various roles such as a career counselor, international student advisor, and even university professor, when I learned HYBE AMERICA was looking for professionals with backgrounds in education and youth development, I immediately knew this opportunity aligned perfectly with my background, skills, and purpose. I began working with HYBE AMERICA nearly three years ago, starting with the company’s first group of “Dream Academy” trainees. I also remained with KATSEYE after their debut as part of their Artist Operations team, providing support during rehearsals, photo and music video shoots, and live performances. It truly was amazing to see KATSEYE’s success in such a short time span and was such a transformative experience. I’m now proud to be part of the HYBE boy group project and bring in my expertise for this new set of trainees and T&D staff.
Kerrie Mailey (Casting Executive): I’ve been a casting director for over 24 years now, working across TV, film, and music. For the past seven years, I’ve focused mostly on music casting—everything from forming bands to working on music TV shows and development projects. Most recently, I’ve been part of the team behind the HYBE America boy group project, helping to find and shape the talent from the ground up. It’s been amazing working on this project because there’s such a mix of backgrounds and expertise on the team. I come from the US side of things—I know the American market very well, especially when it comes to spotting talent and understanding what resonates here. I worked on TikTok’s first band, The Future X, so I’ve seen firsthand how audiences engage with music and artists in a really digital, fast-moving space. At the same time, having people on board with strong K-pop experience, like Hye Jin and Carmina, brings such a unique layer to the process.
The HYBE X Ryan Tedder project has garnered a huge amount of attention through the partnership with the OneRepublic frontman and world-renowned hitmaker. What are you hoping to achieve through this strategic collaboration?
Hye Jin Lee (HYBE AMERICA): There’s no denying that Ryan Tedder is a hitmaker, with three Grammys for Album of the Year under his belt. Having already worked with several HYBE artists, including Jimin from BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, &TEAM, and KATSEYE, he has a strong understanding of our mutual visions, and I think that’s one of this project’s selling points. I also think he’s the perfect partner to catch hold of current trends because he isn’t afraid to try new things and innovate. He’s currently meeting with us once every two weeks and personally reviewing the hopefuls both online and off. Since he has years of experience as a performer himself, he’s able to evaluate their vocals, star quality, and overall potential, while also considering how well they’ll get along as part of a group. In addition to producing, we’re looking forward to Ryan using his experience as an artist to provide valuable feedback to the boys undergoing the T&D program and take on a leadership role.
In recent years, K-pop boy groups like BTS have achieved remarkable success in the Western market, breaking countless “Billboard” records, performing at music festivals, and being nominated for awards. At the same time, HYBE AMERICA’s first global-but-local girl group, KATSEYE, has been making waves, including with their recent smash hit “Gnarly.” Given these growing trends in the music industry, what do feel gives the HYBE X Ryan Tedder project a competitive edge when it comes to nurturing a boy group using the K-pop T&D approach?
Kerrie Mailey (Casting Executive): There’s no denying the impact K-pop boy groups have had globally—especially in the US market. The level of training, performance, and fan connection is on another level, and audiences here have really responded to that. What makes the HYBE America project unique is that we’re taking the strongest parts of that K-pop T&D system—the discipline, performance training, storytelling—and combining it with a deep understanding of the Western music space. It’s not about copy-pasting the K-pop system, it’s more about taking the best of all worlds and building something incredibly exciting, fresh and that can work globally. One of the big advantages is how we’re preparing these artists to be more than just performers—they’re being trained to be content creators, storytellers, and real connectors. We’re putting focus on how they show up on social media, how they engage with fans, and how they build a presence that feels authentic to them. So it’s not just about putting out great music—it’s about building a full, relatable artist experience across every platform.
Carmina Arriola (HYBE AMERICA T&D Specialist): Being a part of “Dream Academy,” which led to the debut of KATSEYE, gave me a unique perspective on bridging cultures. I’ve seen firsthand how the diverse KATSEYE members respond positively to structured training, teamwork-building, and the emotional investment that the K-pop fandom encourages, and have seen the positive reactions of the general public and their fans. For the young fans to see someone who looks similar to themselves or has a similar cultural background as themselves become a star is a big deal and hugely inspirational! I wish as a young girl I had more role models that looked like me, but to see it happening now is truly a dream come true and makes me so proud. For this boy group project, we are building on that by applying the same rigor and structure while tailoring the journey to reflect the special individual skills sets and talents, strengths, and personalities of the trainees we currently have.
The song choices on the sign-up form for the audition are largely dance-pop songs by iconic 2000s artists. Does that reflect the vision for the project?
Hye Jin Lee (HYBE AMERICA): If you look at the song list, it’s a mix of legendary boy groups and male soloists, and it’s a deliberate choice to revive that era of boy groups. At the same time, for today’s teens, these might be songs they’re hearing for the first time, and we wanted to see the passion they put into preparing for the audition. Since Ryan places great importance on vocals, we chose songs that require a strong showing of fundamentals like pitch and rhythm, give plenty of opportunity to use different vocal techniques, and highlight each individual’s unique tone. Most importantly, many of the artists on the list are excellent singers and dancers. With the average age of consumers trending younger, they’re consuming more and more short-form media that combines visuals with music, making visually engaging music increasingly important, so injecting dance into it has become essential. And above all, once an artist has an established fandom, it leads to those fans engaging with their favorite artists by cheering them on in person at live concerts. We’ve come to the conclusion that strong vocals and dance skills are the necessary backbone of stage performances that move and captivate fans in a variety of ways.
What qualities are you looking for in those who try out for the HYBE X Ryan Tedder project?
Kerrie Mailey (Casting Executive): Like with “Dream Academy,” we’re not expecting everyone to show up as the finished article. The most important thing is potential. We’re looking for people who are captivating, passionate, driven, and ready to put in the work. Talent is hugely important, of course, but what really stands out is when someone has that spark, a star quality—something unique about them that makes you want to watch more, hear more, get to know them. It’s also about mindset and being a team player. We want people who are hungry to learn, open to being pushed, and who really understand that being an artist today isn’t just about performing—it’s about storytelling, connecting, and constantly putting yourself out there. So yes, experience is great, but it’s not everything—we’re looking for future stars, not just polished ones.
Carmina Arriola (HYBE AMERICA T&D Specialist): I look for authenticity, because when someone is being true to themselves, that’s when the magic happens. It’s not just about fitting a mold; it’s about finding someone who can bring something unique to the table and make the role or the performance their own. I like to see passion, adaptability, self-starters, proactiveness, and a willingness to grow—qualities that often come from various life experiences. Whether it’s a background in sports, music, or dance, what matters most is the ability to commit, collaborate, and continuously improve their skills—to take constructive criticism positively and continuously improve themselves. There’s a level of teamwork and synergy that’s so crucial. It’s not just about each person being great on their own; it’s about how they’ll function as a unit. We believe that collaboration and individuality are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the best groups are made of unique individuals who choose to create something greater together.
Hye Jin Lee (HYBE AMERICA): Professionalism and communication skills are key. Every artist who becomes successful does so through amiable and effective communication with the people they work with. It’s also important to be able to understand what the fandom wants. It’s great if applicants are already familiar with K-pop, but it’s okay even if they’re not. Having a willingness to learn about the industry and a good attitude towards growth is already a great first step. If they’re committed to learning about and staying interested in fandoms, that’s plenty.
What kind of training will those who pass the audition receive through HYBE AMERICA’s T&D program?
Carmina Arriola (HYBE AMERICA T&D Specialist): Our T&D center is a dynamic, collaborative place. Personally, I believe we strive to make our facility a comfortable and safe space for trainees where they can grow exponentially, develop their skill set, and continue to discover more about who they are and what kind of artist they want to be. Our trainee program is designed to balance and elevate individual strengths while addressing any gaps. If we or the trainee themselves feel they need additional training, then they are able and encouraged to have private instruction and reserve more practice time and space. We also encourage trainees to have a healthy lifestyle away from training to enjoy their hobbies and personal lives with friends and family. They are young, living in Los Angeles, and we encourage them to explore and enjoy the city!
What sets the HYBE America project apart is our hybrid training model. The K-pop training system gives them a strong foundation in vocals, dance, and performance, while HYBE T&D also adds a well-rounded holistic approach in developing other valuable skill sets to use in the world. We’re nurturing artists who are technically skilled, and globally minded human beings as well. The program is designed not just to build skill but to unlock potential—to help trainees find their voice, refine their strengths, and grow as both individuals and group members.
Hye Jin Lee (HYBE AMERICA): Being an artist means knowing how to exercise self-discipline and adhering to a shared set of rules. Our T&D program helps trainees grow into artists who can communicate smoothly not only within their group but also with producers and other staff. For example, the curriculum includes not only input-only lessons but also interactive sessions where trainees teach one another or engage in discussions with their instructors on equal footing. Since every trainee has their own preferences and strengths, we aim to provide them with an environment where they can be a positive influence on each other.
What kind of experience do you hope trainees will gain through HYBE AMERICA’s T&D program?
Carmina Arriola (HYBE AMERICA T&D Specialist): Not all HYBE trainees will debut as part of a group. Unfortunately, it will be initially disappointing for the trainee. As with any rigorous development program, there are varying outcomes. Our goal in Training & Development is not only to nurture future artists but also to support the growth of well-rounded individuals. For those who do not debut, it is not the end of their journey—it marks the beginning of a new chapter beyond HYBE. The skills, discipline, and experiences they gain through our program will serve them well in whichever path they choose to pursue in their future.
Could you wrap things up with a message for everyone dreaming of auditioning to become a part of the HYBE X Ryan Tedder boy group?
Hye Jin Lee (HYBE AMERICA): We’re looking for boys eager to showcase what makes them special to fans across the globe. If you’re determined to give your all for the perfect performance, you’ve already got what it takes. So don’t hesitate, and head on over to the application page.
Carmina Arriola (HYBE AMERICA T&D Specialist): Do not hesitate, just go out there and audition with confidence! Imagine your favorite artist or younger self is in the crowd watching you and cheering you on. Make them and your younger self proud!
Kerrie Mailey (Casting Executive): The biggest thing I’d say is: Be yourself—completely. Don’t try to fit into what you think we’re looking for. Authenticity is huge. We’re not after one type of person. It’s less about being perfect and more about showing us who you really are—what drives you, how you express yourself, and why you’re passionate about this. If you come into the audition being real, giving it your all, and showing a willingness to grow, that speaks louder than any polished performance. Whether you’re already experienced or just starting out, this is about growth, connection, and being part of something bigger than yourself. So trust in your potential, bring your energy, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. We’re excited to see what you’ve got!
