HYBE India has officially expanded its “Final Call” audition phase to scout young female performers outside of India’s primary metropolitan hubs. On September 2, 2026, the South Korean entertainment giant announced the addition of eight new Tier-2 cities to its nationwide talent hunt: Lucknow, Dimapur, Kohima, Shillong, Jaipur, Indore, Goa, and Kochi. This strategic expansion brings the total number of audition cities to 23 across the country, reflecting the company’s aggressive approach to tapping into India’s 1.4 billion market.
The initiative aims to discover and train performers in vocals, rap, dance, acting, and modeling for a potential spot in a new global girl group. The latest application window opened on September 2 and will close on October 31, 2026. Applicants interested in the on-ground auditions must register through HYBE India’s official online platform, where shortlisted candidates will be contacted by regional casting partners with specific venue details.
Shifting Focus to Regional Talent
The decision to broaden the search follows an overwhelmingly strong response to the initial audition round. Damien Woochang Lee, CEO of HYBE India, confirmed that the first phase drew applications from all 28 states and six Union Territories, as well as from the Indian diaspora. The company received submissions from over 1,650 cities across 116 countries. Lee stated that this massive influx of diverse applications reinforced the company’s belief that significant untapped talent exists well beyond major urban centers, prompting the targeted push into regions like Meghalaya and Nagaland.
To accommodate the high volume of interest, HYBE India is accepting applications through multiple avenues, including online portals, educational institutes, local academies, and a dedicated WhatsApp channel.
What This Means for Independent Artists
For musical artists, this corporate expansion into Tier-2 cities highlights a major shift in how the global music industry views the Indian market. International entertainment conglomerates are no longer restricting their scouting to Mumbai or Delhi; they are actively building localized frameworks to discover raw, regional talent.
If you are developing your career independently, this decentralization works to your advantage. You do not need to relocate to a major metro to be discovered. By consistently releasing high-quality original music and distributing your tracks through platforms like TuneCore, DistroKid, Madverse, or Horus Music, you establish a professional digital footprint. Global companies like HYBE rely heavily on digital metrics to identify emerging trends and scout regional artists. Maintaining a strong, independently distributed catalog ensures that when international talent buyers look into your region, your audio is already positioned on the global platforms they monitor.
