The Next BTS? HYBE Alumni Launch Global Talent Search in Indonesia for 2027 K-Pop Debut

JAKARTA, Indonesia (JakartaWeekly.com) – The architects behind some of K-pop’s most iconic global successes are turning their sights toward Southeast Asia. Retopia Salon, a rising entertainment powerhouse founded by a “dream team” of former HYBE executives, has announced it will hold major auditions in Jakarta and Bandung this April.

The talent search is part of the “2026 Retopia Salon Global Audition: Asia,” an ambitious 18-city tour spanning Japan, Thailand, Australia, and North America. The goal? To find the final members of a new boy group slated for a 2027 debut, while simultaneously scouting for a future girl group project.

From the House of HYBE

The pedigree of Retopia Salon’s leadership has sent ripples through the industry. The firm is led by CEO Bang Woo-jung, former Creative Studio Leader at HYBE Media Studio; CCO Kim Serene, the former VP of HYBE Labels Japan; and COO Park Jun-soo, who previously served as a senior producer at HYBE Original Content Studio.

These executives were instrumental in shaping the content and creative direction for global superstars. Their portfolio already includes high-profile productions like Jin’s hit YouTube series Run Jin and the second season of the Disney+ original Are You Sure?! featuring Jimin and Jung Kook.

Jakarta and Bandung: The New Talent Hubs

Indonesia has long been one of the world’s most passionate consumers of Korean culture, but Retopia Salon’s decision to hold auditions in both Jakarta and Bandung on April 30 suggests a shift toward viewing the country as a primary source of raw talent.

The auditions are open to any aspiring star born between 2008 and 2014, regardless of gender or nationality. Candidates can showcase their skills in one of four categories: Vocal, Rap, Dance, or Acting. The Indonesian leg of the tour will be hosted at two premier locations:

• Jakarta: Jessica STAGE Dance School
• Bandung: ETERNAL Training Center

A 2027 Vision

Unlike many flash-in-the-pan talent searches, Retopia Salon is positioning this as a long-term developmental project. By recruiting now for a 2027 debut, the company is signaling a rigorous training period designed to polish Indonesian talent to the exacting standards of the Seoul music scene.

“We aim to select final members for our first boy group… while discovering hidden gems for future projects,” the company stated, expressing high hopes for the applications from Indonesia’s aspiring global stars.

As the lines between regional entertainment and global pop continue to blur, the arrival of Retopia Salon in Indonesia marks a significant moment for local youngsters dreaming of the world stage. For those who make the cut, the journey from a dance studio in Bandung to a stadium tour could begin this April.