Surge in Global Multinational Groups Equipped with K-pop Production Systems...SM’s “dearALICE” Leading the Way

SM Entertainment’s first British boy group, “dearALICE,” made its debut recently, ushering in a new chapter in the globalization of K-pop. Composed of five members—James Sharp, Dexter Greenwood, Reese Carter, Ollie Quinn, and Blaze Noon—the group released its first single, “Ariana,” last month. “Ariana” is an electro-pop dance track produced by SIBA, who has previously worked on hit songs for famous artists such as Rita Ora and Ed Sheeran. After making their official debut at SM Town concerts to commemorate SM Entertainment’s 30th anniversary and on Mnet’s “M Countdown,” dearALICE was created through a collaboration between SM Entertainment, the renowned American music label Gamma, and the British television company Moon & Back Media. As groups with all foreign members but built using South Korea’s technological expertise and production systems—often referred to as K-pop’s hub—are increasing in number, other examples follow. BOYS STORY, a Chinese boy group produced by JYP Entertainment, performed 16 times last year and won the “Breakthrough Group of the Year” award at the Weibo Music Awards 2024. Consisting of six members—Han Wei, Zhaohao, Xinlong, Zewei, Mingrui, and Shuyang—they are expanding their activities overseas, including performing in Indonesia after releasing Korean-language music. KATSEYE, a six-member group created by HYBE, consists entirely of British members except for one Korean member. Debuting in June last year after going through HYBE’s survival audition program “Dream Academy,” they recently announced their appearance at Japan’s largest music festival, “Summer Sonic 2025,” and were also selected for NME’s “2025 Essential Emerging Artists 100” list. Japanese groups produced by JYP Entertainment further illustrate the global spread of K-pop systems. NiziU, a girl group launched by JYP in 2020 as a local label project, was created with the involvement of K-pop producers and creative directors. Rapone Entertainment, a joint venture between CJ ENM and Japan’s Yoshimoto Kogyo that produced the boy group JO1, and XG, a girl group created by K-pop producers and creative directors, are following a similar path. XG has announced its participation in “Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival,” the largest music festival in the United States, set to take place in April. NEXZ, a boy group under JYP Entertainment, is also composed entirely of Japanese members except for one, forming a seven-member group including Tomoya, Yuu, Haru, Soo Gun, Seita, Hui, and Yuki. Meanwhile, HYBE has launched a new boy group production project in partnership with global producer Ryan Tedder. Im Baek-woon, president of the Korean Entertainment Producers Association, stated, “K-pop’s idol training program, represented by its trainee system, is truly unique,” adding that “its various support systems, from production to distribution and marketing, are also at a world-class level.” The industry believes that thanks to this robust K-pop system, South Korea can solidify its “Made in Korea” image in global markets.