- YG will hold a special global audition in an effort to replenish its pipeline to prepare for a more aggressive K-pop debut cycle.
- The move comes after a profit bounce in Q3 2025, which was mostly driven by BLACKPINK, raising concerns about revenue concentration.
- By increasing its talent pool, YG hopes to lessen earnings volatility after its 2024 dip, caused by excessive reliance on a relatively smaller roster.
BLACKPINK’s agency, YG Entertainment, has announced a global talent search to uncover the next big stars in the K-pop sector. Adding a special touch to the initiative, the executive producer and founder of the company, Yang Hyun-suk, will be personally overseeing the audition procedure. The opportunity, which is named 2026 YG SPECIAL AUDITION: GO! DEBUT will be running till Feb 28, 2026, and is accessible to applicants of all genders and nationalities born between 2007 and 2015, as revealed by the Seoul-based agency on Wednesday (Jan 21, 2026).
YG Entertainment's audition will require participants to submit up to one-minute videos in the following categories: vocals, rap, dance, visuals, or performance, showing what makes them special. According to the company, the initiative's tagline GO! DEBUT marks a strategic move away from traditional trainee recruiting, while selecting performers "who will shape the future of the global K-pop market."
Hit Acts Like BLACKPINK Drive Record Quarter, Exposing Reliance Risk
YG's audition drive comes as the company's famous icons continue to have an impact on its financial results. BLACKPINK, Treasure, and BabyMonster have been identified for helping YG return to profitability. As per Chosun Biz reports, in Q3 2025, the firm reported around ₩173.1 billion (~ $117.2 million USD) in revenue, more than double year-earlier sales, and an operating profit of ₩31.1B (~$23.8M), fueled partly by extensive world tours and global fan demand. This depicts a 107.2% increase in sales compared to the same period last year, with a net profit hitting ₩24.4B, as reported by Korea Economic Daily (via Daum).
The outcome fell somewhat short of the market's general forecast, put together by financial data firm FnGuide. They projected an operating profit at ₩33.9B, revenue at ₩198.4B, and net profit at ₩25.2B, nevertheless, YG highlighted that the Q3 2025 revenue value is the best the company has ever had in any third quarter.
BLACKPINK, is about to end its current world tour in Hong Kong, while upcoming mini-album Deadline is also among this year's most anticipated K-pop acts. The upcoming events make the group a crucial growth driver of the sector and YG itself. Its global streaming success and sold-out stadium shows have fueled further commercial momentum, increasing YG's shares and revenue streams.
However, observers warn that YG's business remains centered around a small number of key acts, with some industry estimates indicating that BLACKPINK alone contributed to a significant portion of the company's revenue in recent years. Prior fiscal years showed a steep revenue fall and operational loss in 2024, requiring strategic shifts toward establishing a more diverse roster of marketable artists.
YG’s Audition Push Signals Bet on Roster Diversification
The South Korean entertainment industry has grown into a multibillion-dollar export powerhouse, and rivalry among major agencies is heating up. YG is traditionally regarded as one of the Big Four, alongside HYBE, SM, and JYP Entertainment, all of whom use diverse artist portfolios to hedge against reliance on single IP blocks.
With its most recent audition push, YG Entertainment is preparing itself to nurture the next wave of global K-pop acts ahead of an increasingly competitive debut cycle. Notably, the 2026 YG SPECIAL AUDITION: GO! DEBUT is the company's first special audition drive in nearly a year, following the 2025 National Audition Tour held in January.
While special drives are unique, YG continues to hold monthly online auditions, revealing a two-pronged approach to talent acquisition. The 2026 YG SPECIAL AUDITION: GO! DEBUT entries are welcomed through the YG audition website or by scanning a QR code on promotional materials.
