Expand Doors for K-pop Debut: Boosting Regional Auditions and New Sub-units

Opportunities for K-pop idols to make their debut are becoming more diverse. On the 24th of last month, a large-scale “MEGA K-POP Audition” was held at the Yeeno Small Theater at Kyungsung University in Nam-gu, Busan, with participation from major agencies based in the Seoul area such as SM and YG. With over 200 teams competing, this event provided young people aged 10 to 20 from regional areas a chance to enter the K-pop industry centered in Seoul.

Prior to the auditions, Kyungsung University hosted the “K-Mega Song Festival” on campus from the 19th to the 24th of last month. The festival included a “Song Camp” where renowned composers from the Seoul area and abroad collaborated with Busan-based composers to create new songs, a “K-pop Workshop” where songwriters, choreographers, and vocal trainers mentored aspiring artists, and “Masterclasses” led by experts sharing their expertise. As a finale, a concert featuring singer-songwriters like Kyungseo and Hong Isaac was held at 7 p.m. on the 24th.

Kyungsung University is taking such active steps in nurturing regional K-pop talent to advance its strategy of becoming a “university leading Hallyu culture,” which is a core goal of the Global University project. This government initiative provides 100 billion won over five years to one local university that develops an innovative plan, and Kyungsung University was selected last year.

Participants viewed the presence of major agencies gathering together for auditions in regional areas as a rare opportunity. Kim, a 19-year-old who attended with her older sister, said, “Although attending specialized debut training schools can provide many audition opportunities, we have been practicing on our own at home. I am truly grateful to Kyungsung University for creating such an opportunity for us.” Go Min-seong, a 20-year-old aspiring choreographer, also remarked, “It is very unusual for so many agencies to gather together in a regional area rather than the Seoul region to hold a large-scale audition like this. I hope such events are held more frequently for young people who dream of becoming idols.”

Meanwhile, new sub-units are becoming increasingly active within existing idol groups. Jeno and Jaemin, members of NCT Dream, are set to debut as a new sub-unit named “NCT JNJM” on February 23rd. Their first mini-album, titled “BOTH SIDES,” will contain six tracks in total, with all songs including the title track “BOTH SIDES” being released on various music platforms at 6 p.m. KST on February 23rd.

The album concept focuses on expressing the contrasting styles of Jeno and Jaemin as “yin and yang,” aiming to achieve perfect balance and create fresh music. The two members have been active together for over 10 years since their trainee days and have built strong personalities appreciated by fans worldwide through their activities in NCT and NCT Dream. Fans are awaiting the debut of the new sub-unit using the hashtag “NCT JNJM COMES,” and the two members are also scheduled to appear on the cover of February 2026 issue of Esquire Korea’s digital magazine.