120K+
Applicants
Formation History
The
The
Dream
Academy
How HYBE and Geffen Records ran 120,000+ auditions across four countries, selected 20 finalists, and over 12 weeks of competition built KATSEYE.
20
Finalists
12
Weeks
6
Members Selected
The Beginning
A Vision Born in 2021
In November 2021, HYBE and Geffen Records announced a groundbreaking joint venture: to create a global girl group using K-pop training methodology.
HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk described the intention: to form an international group based on K-pop methodology, one that would transcend cultural and artistic boundaries.
Auditions were held across South Korea, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom throughout 2022, drawing more than 120,000 applicants from around the world.
The first American girl group to make American pop music but trained to do the crazy choreography of K-pop.
How It Worked
Dream Academy - The Process
12 weeks. 3 missions. Millions of fan votes. One global girl group.
1
The Audition
120,000+ global applicants auditioned across South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and the U.K. The top 20 were selected to compete.
2
Trainee Year
All 20 contestants trained in Los Angeles under the Korean trainee system with vocal, dance, performance, and language coaching.
3
Dream Academy Airs
The 12-week competition premiered on YouTube, Weverse, and Abema TV. Three missions tested singing, dancing, and artistry.
4
The Finale
Fan votes and HYBE x Geffen leadership selected the final six members. KATSEYE was officially formed.
The Partnership
Two Labels. One Dream.
HYBE x Geffen Records merged K-pop training precision with American pop infrastructure to create something entirely new.
H
K-pop Methodology & Training
HYBE
Seoul, South Korea
The entertainment powerhouse behind BTS, TXT, and NewJeans. HYBE brought K-pop training methodology and global idol infrastructure.
- ✦ Creator of BTS and multiple global acts
- ✦ Developed rigorous idol trainee system
- ✦ Brought global K-pop industry expertise
- ✦ Chairman Bang Si-hyuk led the joint vision
G
Western Pop & Distribution
Geffen Records
Los Angeles, USA
A legendary U.S. label under Universal Music Group. Geffen brought Western pop infrastructure and American market expertise.
- ✦ Major U.S. label under Universal Music Group
- ✦ Deep roots in American pop and rock history
- ✦ Provided LA-based training facilities
- ✦ Led Western pop production and marketing
Now Streaming
Pop Star Academy:
Pop Star Academy:
Katseye
The documentary series chronicling KATSEYE's formation and preparation for debut premiered on August 21, 2024 on Netflix.
Directed by Nadia Hallgren and produced by HYBE, Interscope Films, and Boardwalk Pictures, the series follows the pressure and growth behind each member.
Platform
NetflixPremiered
Aug 21, 2024Director
Nadia HallgrenProduced by
HYBE x Interscope
Netflix Original
Watch the Journey
Dream Academy Mission Videos
Relive key Dream Academy missions that narrowed 120,000 applicants down to the final six members.
Episode 1
Mission 1 (Team A)
"Pink Venom" (Team A, Dance)
Episode 2
Mission 1 (Team B)
"OMG" (Team B, Dance)
Episode 3
Mission 1 (Team A)
"Dancing on My Own" x "Happier Than Ever" (Team A, Vocal)
Episode 4
Mission 1 (Team B)
"Still into you" (Team B, Vocal)
Episode 5
Mission 2
"Antifragile" (Team A)
Episode 6
Mission 2
"Antifragile" (Team B)
Episode 7
Mission 2
"Fearless" (Team A)
Episode 8
Mission 2
"Antifragile" (Team B)
Episode 9
Mission 3
"Buttons"
Episode 10
Mission 3
"Confident"
Episode 11
Mission 3
"Wannabe"
Bonus Performance
Bonus Performance
"Break Free"
The Debut - 1
The Debut: "Girls Don't Like"
"Girls Don't Like" - One of the Last songs as Dream Academy
The Debut - 2
The Debut: "Dirty Water"
"Dirty Water" - One of the Last songs as Dream Academy
The Debut - 3
The Debut: "All The Same"
"All The Same" - One of the Last songs as Dream Academy