CJ ENM’s Mnet and Universal Music Group’s REPUBLIC Collective today announced a landmark global partnership to produce and launch the next big global girl group through Mnet’s GIRLS PLANET 2027, an upcoming global girl group debut project set to premiere in 2027.
The partnership reflects a shared vision to discover, develop and launch the next generation of global K-pop talent, marking one of the most comprehensive collaborations between two leading forces in K-pop and the global music industry. Under the partnership, REPUBLIC will collaborate across the full scope of the project from production through to the debut group’s US promotions and global rollout.
This partnership represents another important step in Mnet’s ongoing efforts to expand the global reach of K-pop through innovative content and talent discovery. As part of CJ ENM’s Music Creative eco-System (MCS) – which encompasses IP planning, platforms and artist management – GIRLS PLANET 2027 is one of the company’s key initiatives driving the global expansion of K-pop. Building on the success of GIRLS PLANET 999 in 2021, which gave rise to the global girl group Kep1er, the upcoming project aims to discover and debut a new generation of talented girls from around the world who embody energy, positivity, and passion for K-pop.
The latest global group to emerge from its MCS is ALPHA DRIVE ONE, formed through Mnet’s global K-POP debut project BOYS II PLANET in September 2025, backed by over 26 million votes from fans across 223 regions and countries. In January 2026, the group released their debut album EUPHORIA, led by a title track of FREAK ALARM, selling over 1.44 million copies – the second-highest-selling debut album in K-pop history.
“We are delighted to join forces with REPUBLIC to find and launch our next major global girl group,” said Harry H.K.Shin, Head of Music Entertainment at CJ ENM. “Through this partnership, we look forward to discovering extraordinary talent from every corner of the world and introducing them to global audiences.”
Global search is already under way. Since online applications opened on May 1 via global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus, more than 36,000 applicants have submitted – a record high for Mnet’s audition series – with the Americas making up nearly a third of all applicants. Applications are accepted in multiple languages including Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. Applicants must be born before January 1, 2013, and are welcome to apply regardless of whether they are independent trainees, agency trainees, or currently debuted artists. All applicants must also be eligible for international travel.
In addition to online applications, large-scale on-site auditions are set to take place at KCON LA 2026 from August 14-16 in downtown Los Angeles, with further details to be announced.
