Sayart.net - Hybe Collaborates with JTBC for New Idol Survival Program to Launch Belift Lab′s First Girl Group

Belift Lab

Entertainment powerhouse Hybe, formerly known as Big Hit Entertainment, has announced its latest collaboration with local broadcaster JTBC to produce an exciting idol survival program titled "R U Next?" The joint venture aims to scout and cultivate talented young women who will debut as the inaugural girl group from Belift Lab, an independent label under Hybe's multi-label system.

In an official statement released on Thursday, Belift Lab revealed that the production for "R U Next?" has already commenced under the guidance of Studio Jamm and Mushroom Company. The highly anticipated 10-episode series is scheduled to premiere on June 30th via JTBC, with subsequent episodes airing every Friday at 8:50 p.m.

This new endeavor marks the second time Belift Lab will debut an idol band through a televised audition program. The label was established in 2018 as a joint venture between Hybe and CJ ENM, the parent company of Mnet, one of South Korea's largest K-pop channels. Belift Lab's debut success came in September 2020 with Enhypen, a global K-pop boy band formed through Mnet's survival show "I-Land," which was jointly produced by Big Hit Entertainment and CJ ENM.

While "R U Next?" shares similarities with "I-Land" as both are idol survival programs, Belift Lab clarified that the upcoming show presents an entirely fresh concept. The participating girls have undergone training at Belift Lab under the multi-label system implemented by Hybe, which guarantees the artistic independence of each label. "R U Next?" will serve as the final stage of their journey toward debut, explained the agency.

It's worth noting that at the time of Enhypen's debut in 2020, Hybe had not yet transitioned into its current multi-label form. However, in March 2021, Big Hit Entertainment officially rebranded itself as Hybe, positioning itself as an entertainment lifestyle company.

Under the umbrella of Hybe's new system, successful girl groups NewJeans and Le Sserafim made their debuts last year. NewJeans, managed by the Ador label, and Le Sserafim, under Source Music, have already garnered substantial attention and acclaim in the industry.

Hybe's extensive artist roster also includes globally recognized acts such as BTS and Tomorrow X Together from Big Hit Music, as well as Seventeen and fromis_9 from Pledis Entertainment.

"R U Next?" will not only captivate audiences in South Korea but also reach viewers in Japan through the online streaming service Abema TV, further expanding the international reach of the talent discovery program.

As the excitement builds for "R U Next?" fans eagerly await the unveiling of the talented finalists who will vie for a coveted spot in Belift Lab's first-ever girl group. With Hybe's track record of nurturing successful artists and JTBC's reputation for producing compelling television content, this collaboration promises to captivate audiences and shape the future of K-pop's girl group landscape.

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