---
title: "Hybe India CEO Outlines Strategy for Constructing a Domestic Global Pop Powerhouse"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/hybe-india-ceo-global-girl-group-auditions-strategy-9d9fe
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
published: 2026-08-05T08:42:39.000Z
modified: 2026-08-05T11:01:36.351Z
language: en-IN
---

# Hybe India CEO Outlines Strategy for Constructing a Domestic Global Pop Powerhouse

Entertainment conglomerate Hybe is concluding a nationwide search to assemble an India-based girl group following its expansion into Mumbai. CEO Damien Woochang Lee details a vision for domestic talent development modeled after the rigorous training systems of South Korean idols.

## Key takeaways

- Hybe India has concluded multi-city auditions to form a new global girl group based in India.
- CEO Damien Woochang Lee identifies a shift in Indian music consumption from film soundtracks to independent streaming music.
- The new group will undergo a rigorous talent development program similar to the K-pop idol trainee system.
- Hybe is actively exploring opportunities to bring major global acts like BTS to the Indian live music market.

## Why It Matters

Hybe, the powerhouse behind global icons like BTS, is aggressively expanding its international footprint by establishing India as its fifth global hub. The move signals a strategic shift from merely exporting K-pop to actively developing localized intellectual property that can compete on a global stage. This transition arrives as the Indian music market pivots away from cinema-centric soundtracks toward independent, streaming-driven artists.

## The Audition Process

Between April and June, Hybe India conducted a comprehensive scouting operation across cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Guwahati. CEO Damien Woochang Lee reports that the turnout for in-person slots exceeded corporate expectations, bolstered by a significant volume of digital submissions. The selection process utilized a hybrid team of internal music professionals and local casting experts, including Panchami Ghavri, known for her work on Indian cinema titles like Gehraiyaan.

Lee emphasizes that the primary metric for selection is long-term potential rather than immediate polish. The successful candidates will undergo a rigorous training and development phase analogous to the trainee programs utilized in South Korea. The objective is to produce a group that remains Indian at its core while maintaining international resonance.

## Key Facts

- Hybe India established its Mumbai headquarters in September of last year, joining hubs in Japan, China, the US, and Latin America.
- Selection criteria focused on a holistic evaluation of performance, talent, and growth capacity.
- Recent successful cross-cultural experiments include a collaboration between Le Sserafim and Punjabi artist Guru Randhawa on the track 'Boompala'.
- The project follows the template of KATSEYE, a Los Angeles-based girl group previously launched by Hybe.
- Internal data suggests a permanent shift in Indian consumer habits toward non-film independent music and global pop genres post-pandemic.

## What Happens Next

Following the talent identification phase, Hybe India will transition into a dedicated artist development cycle. While the current priority remains the formation of the new girl group, Lee indicates that the company eventually intends to sign existing Indian artists. Regarding the potential for major tours, such as a visit from BTS, Lee confirmed he is actively exploring opportunities to bring global artists to the subcontinent, citing India's status as one of the world's most dynamic live music markets.

Source: The Hindu – Entertainment

---
Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/hybe-india-ceo-global-girl-group-auditions-strategy-9d9fe
Reported from: The Hindu – Entertainment