On August 7, HYBE and Geffen Records revealed plans for a large-scale audition event titled “World Scout: The Final Piece” to be held across Japan.
This joint project between HYBE and Geffen Records aims to discover exceptional talent from around the world. HYBE’s top-tier scouting team will lead the search, seeking individuals with the star power and potential to make it big.
Successful applicants will undergo K-pop–style training designed by HYBE and Geffen Records specifically for the U.S. market between October and December. From there, finalists will advance to an intensive training camp in the United States, where they will compete for a spot in a brand-new group set to debut next year.
According to HYBE and Geffen Records, the project will document the transformation of aspiring stars as they work alongside world-class producers to make their dreams a reality.
“World Scout: The Final Piece” is scheduled to premiere in 2026 on the Japanese streaming platform ABEMA.
On August 7, Netflix Korea confirmed the news through its official account, announcing that the hit variety show will return with fresh mysteries to solve.
The series follows a team of investigators as they tackle bizarre, unexplained cases that defy scientific logic. Produced by PD Jung Jong Yeon the mastermind behind The Devil’s Plan, The Genius, and The Great Escape the show blends high-stakes challenges with sharp teamwork.
Season 2 will see the return of the beloved original cast Lee Yong Jin, John Park, Hyeri, Kim Do Hoon, and aespa’s Karina alongside a new face: Gabee.
Season 1 won fans over with its large-scale, unpredictable missions and the engaging chemistry among the cast.
This time, viewers can expect upgraded skills and even sharper teamwork: Lee Yong Jin, the witty leader who takes on any task head-on; John Park, the brains of the operation; Hyeri, the crisis-time clue finder; Kim Do Hoon, the fearless action-taker; and Karina, the secret weapon with razor-sharp instincts.
New recruit Gabee, known for her quick thinking, charisma, and sharp wit, is expected to shake up the group dynamic and bring a fresh spark to the high-tension missions.
On August 8 at midnight KST, JYP Entertainment announced the release date of Chaeyoung’s first solo album, along with a short video offering a behind-the-scenes look at the production process. The clip shows Chaeyoung actively involved in creating the album, including working hard in the recording studio.
She will be the fourth TWICE member to debut as a solo artist, following Nayeon, Jihyo, and Tzuyu. Her solo album is set to be released on September 12 at 1 PM KST.
While fashion powerhouses like France, Britain, Japan, and America have historically shaped global styles, South Korea has recently emerged as a dominant force, with its unique style absolutely dominating worldwide. This rise is particularly interesting because Korean style has only recently gained significant global traction. To understand this phenomenon, it’s crucial to acknowledge Korea’s long and complicated history, which has made the peninsula a “melting pot” of foreign cultural traditions, influenced Mongols, Chinese dynasties, the Japanese, and the United States. Despite this rich cultural mix, there was discourse among Koreans about a perceived lack of a unique Korean fashion identity.
Techwear : the distinct Korean styleimage
It’s a distinct genre of clothing guided by the spirit of utility and technological innovation, contrasting with traditional luxury fashion driven purely by aesthetics. Its roots trace back to ’80s-’00s outdoor brands experimenting with new fabrics and garment technologies.
In the late 2010s, Korean companies embraced the focus on practical application and performance fabrics, but were more willing to experiment with different fabrics, silhouettes, and other design elements. This experimentation allowed South Korean techwear to become the distinct Korean style that critics had claimed was missing.
Global impact & the future of K-Fashion image
The success of these innovative Korean brands mirrors an earlier Korean success story : Gentle Monster. This eyewear brand, founded in 2011, became the biggest eyewear brand in Korea and is now one of the fastest-growing eyewear brands globally, proving the power of South Korean market demand to create global trends.
The other brands in this South Korean fashion renaissance are on a similar path. They are rapidly gaining the loyalty of the fashion-rich South Korean audience, and in turn, are slowly gaining more market share over one of the richest fashion audiences in the world.
South Korea’s influence is growing, and this renaissance of South Korean design is making waves. If these brands continue on a similar path to Gentle Monster, they are poised to become some of the biggest brands in the world soon!
