South Korean entertainment company CJ ENM’s music channel, Mnet, and Universal Music Group’s REPUBLIC Collective have announced their global partnership to launch and produce the next big global girl group through Mnet’s music competition series, GIRLS PLANET 2027.
The franchise, which includes BOYS PLANET, GIRLS PLANET 99, BOYS II PLANET, and PLANET C: Home Race, has previously created groups including ZEROBASEONE, Kep1er, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, and MODYSSEY. This series, GIRLS PLANET 2027, is set to premiere its upcoming global girl group project in 2027.
The two major entertainment companies are working together to find their next global group, utilizing the K-pop training system, with REPUBLIC handling the production and U.S. and global promotions. It also represents another step in Mnet’s ongoing efforts to expand K-pop’s global reach 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.”
“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, in a press release. “Through this partnership, we look forward to discovering extraordinary talent from every corner of the world and introducing them to global audiences.”
Calling for girls born before 2013, the global search for the next superstar group has been underway since online applications opened in May via the global K-Pop content platform, Mnet Plus. More than 36,000 applications have been submitted so far – a record high for the audition series, with Americans making up nearly a third of all applicants. Applications are accepted in multiple languages, including Korean, Japanese, English, Chinese, and Spanish. All applicants must be eligible for international travel, as filming may take place in South Korea. Trainee status at a company, independent status, or debut status does not matter – anyone can apply. The applications are still open!
For those planning to attend KCON LA 2026 from August 14 to 16 in downtown Los Angeles, there will be on-site auditions if you’d like to apply. More details on that will be announced soon. KCON LA 2025 previously held auditions for Produce 101 Japan SHINSEKAI, which resulted in the formation of KO1KEYZ, who will be attending this year’s KCON LA.
ALPHA DRIVE ONE, formed through Mnet’s popular K-pop debut project BOYS II PLANET in 2025, had one of the largest participation in votes with over 26 million votes from fans across 223 countries/regions. The group debuted in January 2026 with their EP, EUPHORIA, selling over 1.44 million copies – the second highest-selling debut album in K-pop history. The group, along with izna, have recently signed with REPUBLIC to expand their album promotions and distributions globally.
For more information on Mnet x Republic’s GIRLS PLANET 2027 and how to submit for your audition, click here.
