Latest news with #HybeLatinAmerica
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Hybe to launch new Latin American boy group 'Santos Bravos' next month
Five finalists to debut from 16 contestants across Latin America and Spain Hybe Latin America is set to unveil its next global boy group, Santos Bravos, next month through a new reality competition series of the same name. The company announced via its social media channel on Thursday that the 'Santos Bravos' reality series — filmed in Mexico — will premiere in August. A teaser video and profile images of the 16 contestants were released the same day, signaling the beginning of the project. The 16 participants, selected from hundreds of applicants, hail from diverse regions including Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Spain and the US. These aspiring artists will undergo intensive training at a customized camp, focusing on musicality, emotional expression and performance. Only five will make the final cut to debut in the boy group, and their entire journey will be revealed to global fans in real time. Santos Bravos marks Hybe's first large-scale artist development project in Latin America using its signature Training and Development system — a structure designed by Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk that combines rigorous training, emotional support, storytelling and community engagement. The goal is to shape global artists with authentic growth and a strong cultural identity. 'Our goal isn't just to create a group,' said Bang. 'It's to help young Latin artists experience genuine transformation both artistically and personally. Santos Bravos is a project rooted in authenticity, emotion and connection.' The project has also drawn attention for its high-profile creative team. Kenny Ortega, best known for directing and choreographing Disney's 'High School Musical' and 'Descendants,' is serving as the project's creative director. Johnny Goldstein, who has worked with global acts like Shakira, BTS' J-Hope and Enhypen, is the lead music producer. Renowned vocal coach Raab Stevenson, whose clients include Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and Sza, is overseeing vocal training. The entire project is executive produced by Jaime Escallon, a Colombian veteran known for 'X Factor' and 'Survivor.' Meanwhile, Hybe Latin America is also producing "Pase A La Fama," another major boy band audition program in collaboration with US-based Spanish-language network Telemundo, under NBC Universal.
Korea Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Scooter Braun steps down as Hybe America CEO; Latin America chief Isaac Lee takes over
Hybe cites strategic synergy between North and South America as reason for executive reshuffle Scooter Braun is stepping down as CEO of Hybe America, the company announced Tuesday. Isaac Lee, the current chair of Hybe Latin America, will assume the role, overseeing Hybe's business operations across both North and South America. While Braun will no longer lead Hybe America, he remains on the company's board of directors and will serve as a senior advisor to Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, the company said in a statement. The leadership transition comes as a surprise, just months after Braun and Bang were jointly ranked No. 17 on Billboard's 2025 Power 100 list for their contributions to the global music industry in January. The list highlighted achievements including Hybe's joint venture with Geffen Records, the debut of multinational girl group Katseye and the strong reception of their first EP, 'SIS (Soft Is Strong).' Though Braun has not publicly cited criticism or controversy as a reason for his departure, comments he made during a recent podcast interview hinted at possible underlying tensions. Reflecting on public backlash tied to his past business dealings with Taylor Swift and his split with longtime client Justin Bieber, Braun said, 'I was shocked. I don't need to go back into it, but what I can tell you is everything in life is a gift.' He added, 'I never knew what it was like to be on the global stage like that. I never knew what criticism like that felt like. All the praise I had received up until that moment was not deserved. All the hate I got after that moment was not deserved because none of these people knew me. The gift of pain was awareness.' Braun's feud with Swift began after his company acquired Big Machine Records in 2019, which gave him ownership of the master recordings for much of Swift's early catalog — a move she fiercely opposed. His professional relationship with Bieber, once his flagship artist, also ended in 2023 after years of speculation about their increasingly strained ties. Hybe did not elaborate on the reason for the sudden leadership change, instead emphasizing Lee's experience and strategic fit for the role. 'Isaac Lee brings exceptional creative vision, deep understanding of the local market, and a strong industry network,' the company said. 'We expect him to help grow Hybe's business in the Americas and expand the reach of Korean artists in North America.' Lee, a Colombian media executive, previously served as chief content officer at Univision Communications and Televisa, two of the world's largest Spanish-language media companies. He is also the founder of Exile Content Studio, a global multimedia company. Since November 2023, Lee has chaired Hybe Latin America and played a central role in expanding the company's presence in the region. With Lee now at the helm of both Hybe Latin America and Hybe America, the company anticipates 'operational synergies and stronger competitive edge' across the hemisphere. Hybe America's portfolio includes a wide range of labels: Big Machine Label Group, home to country music stars like Justin Moore, Thomas Rhett and Carly Pearce; Quality Control Media Holdings, known for top hip-hop artists such as Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, Quavo and BigXthaPlug; and Hybe x Geffen Records, which manages Katseye, the multinational girl group behind tracks like 'Gnarly,' 'Gabriela' and 'Touch.'
Korea Herald
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Hybe brings K-pop competition formula to Latin music scene
A new television series on Telemundo, an American Spanish-language network, recorded the highest viewership rating among other shows broadcast in Spanish. 'Pase A La Fama,' which translates as "a step towards a dream," drew close to 690,000 viewers. Premiered on Sunday, the show not only features A-list judges — Ana Barbara, Adriel Favela and Horacio Palencia — but also impressive prizes: a record deal with Hybe Latin America, a chance to debut as a band in Mexico, and $100,000 in cash. To claim the reward, competitors have to survive months of 'training, performing and facing challenges' to become one of the five finalists. Finding gems in the rough and watching them grow and pursue their dreams with the help of mentors may sound familiar to K-pop fans. Hybe Latin America seeks to fuse the popular formula into the Latin music scene, nurturing local talent for the global music scene.
Korea Herald
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Hybe Latin America to launch new Mexican boy group
Filming begins in Mexico for reality series following formation of five-member boy band Hybe Latin America, the Mexican subsidiary of Hybe, is set to launch a new boy band in Mexico, marking the company's second major project in the region following its recent band survival audition program. The move signals Hybe's accelerating efforts to expand into the Latin music market. According to Hybe Latin America, Thursday, filming has begun for a reality series aimed at selecting members for a next-generation global boy group. The program is being filmed at a custom-built training camp located in a school in Mexico City. 'This project is a creative experiment in how we can discover, nurture and introduce Latin talent to the world,' said Hybe Latin America CEO Kah Jong-hyun. 'With creativity and world-class production capabilities, we're laying the foundation for the next generation of global Latin artists. Our goal is to amplify the Latin voice — louder and farther than ever.' The goal is to form a five-member group and the selection process began with 300 initial candidates chosen from a large pool of applicants. Of those, 16 trainees joined the camp, where they will undergo six months of intensive training. Around 30 professional coaches — including vocal trainers, choreographers, producers and fitness instructors — are supporting the program. Hybe aims to fuse its systematic K-pop training model with the unique cultural and artistic sensibilities of Latin America to develop an original artist incubation model. Rather than relying on traditional TV formats, the company plans to distribute the show across streaming services, social media platforms and music apps on mobile phones. The production team includes an impressive roster of mentors. Kenny Ortega, the acclaimed director and choreographer known for Disney's hit series "High School Musical" and "Descendants," is serving as executive producer. Ortega has also choreographed for the Super Bowl, the Academy Awards and the Olympics and directed the Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It." The show's chief choreographer is Charm La'Donna, who has worked with Kendrick Lamar -- including his 2025 Super Bowl performance, Bruno Mars, Selena Gomez and Beyonce. Vocal coaching will be led by Robert Stevenson, who has trained artists such as Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and SZA. Colombian veteran creators Jaime Escallon and Lucas Jaramillo, who serve as co-creators and executive producers, are overseeing the series' creative direction. Meanwhile, Hybe Latin America is also producing the band audition program "Pase a la Fama" in partnership with US-based Spanish-language network Telemundo. The large-scale show, which aims to discover a new band in Mexico, will premiere on June 8, local time.
Korea Herald
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Del Real released new single 'Princesa' in conjunction with signing with Docemil Music
Hybe announced Wednesday the launch of its new Latin American label, Docemil Music, under Hybe Latin America, with Mexican musician and producer Emmanuel "Meme" del Real as its inaugural artist. Meme del Real, a member and producer of the acclaimed Mexican rock band Cafe Tacvba, has won multiple Latin Grammy Awards, including best rock song in 2004 and 2008, and both best alternative song and record of the year in 2009. The band is celebrated for its commercial success and musical artistry, standing as one of the most influential acts in Latin America. Singer del Real released the new single 'Princesa' under Docemil Music, marking the commencement of his solo career under the label. This track will feature on his forthcoming debut solo album, slated for release later this year. 'In this search to find how to share my music, from doing it ultra-independently to a major label, we explored some ideas, and above all there was rapprochement, interest,' del Real said in a statement, Wednesday. '(I) found it with Hybe Latin America, through Docemil Music, who are just starting up, and with Fernando Grediaga (general manager of Hybe Latin America) and the team he put together.' Kah Jong-hyun, CEO of Hybe Latin America, highlighted the significance of this partnership. 'Meme del Real's joining Docemil Music symbolizes our commitment to supporting Latin American talent and fostering limitless creativity. We are excited about what we will build together,' Kah said. Hybe established its Latin American subsidiary in November 2023 to expand its influence in one of the world's fastest-growing music markets. As part of this effort, the company acquired Exile Music, a label under Exile Content, which is involved in recording, publishing, artist management and concert planning in the region.
