Kpop enthusiasts, come together! HYBE has teamed up with Geffen Records to blend the best elements of both their universes with “The Debut: Dream Academy.” Meet the contestant of the newest HYBE X GEFFEN girl group contestants and discover all you need to know about “The Debut: Dream Academy” below, including where and when to watch.
All You Need to Know about HYBE X GEFFEN Girl Group
What Is “The Debut: Dream Academy?”
“The Debut: Dream Academy” can be described as an audition-based show that functions like a girl group initiation event. Essentially, it’s a competition series where participants compete for a spot in the final lineup of a new girl group that will debut after the series concludes. As per the HYBE-Geffen collaboration, the outcome of this show aims to be “the world’s biggest girl group,” which will consist of 6 members.
Nevertheless, unlike typical competition series, “The Debut: Dream Academy” follows a unique approach. Firstly, the participants weren’t directly poached after audition. The 20 girls underwent a year-long training in Los Angeles, molded by “Kpop methodology,” gearing them up to present their finest talents on the show.
By the series’ conclusion, it’s a tradition for the newly-created group to release their debut track as part of the series’ narrative. As mentioned by the HYBE-Geffen team, this track, crafted for the group emerging from “The Debut: Dream Academy,” will be in English. It aims to highlight their international appeal and blend diverse cultural nuances both visually and musically.
Where and When to Watch “The Debut: Dream Academy”
There is not an episode-based format but instead content of “The Debut: Dream Academy” will be released as performances, vlogs & other video contents via its own YouTube channel. If you live in Japan, you can also watch “The Debut: Dream Academy” via ABEMA. Meanwhile, a Netflix documentary detailing the entire audition process is set for release in 2024.
Mission 1: SHOWCASE
The first mission will consist of two vocal teams and two dance teams. You can vote once a day from September 7, at 12 AM KST to September 10, at 3.59 KST on WeVerse and YouTube. The top 6 in voting will be safe while two out of the remaining 14 will be eliminated.
- Mission Details: September 2
- Individual Introductions: September 3-6
- Performance Videos: September 7
- Preparation Vlogs: September 10, 12-14
- Result Announcement: September 16
Mission 2: TEAMS
The contestants will travel to Korea to compete in teams followed by another series of eliminations. Four contestants will be eliminated.
- Mission Details: September 23
Mission 3: ARTISTRY
The contestants will be tested on their abilities to pull off unique concepts. Four contestants will be eliminated.
- Mission Details: October 21
LIVE FINALE
The live finale will unveil the final members and the group’s name. Out of 10 remaining, 6 contestants will debut.
- Announcement: November 18
“The Debut: Dream Academy” Contestants
After sieving through countless submissions during November 2021, the HYBE and Geffen alliance revealed the 20 young women who will be part of The Debut: Dream Academy on August 28, 2023, and fans have quickly spotlighted their top picks.
Here is a brief detail of the 20 contestants:
Adéla
Birth name: Adéla Jergová
Birthday: November 27, 2003
Nationality: Slovakia
Fun facts: Adéla was a ballet dancer for 13 years and quit when she was 17. She is a fan of Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande.
Instagram: adelajergova
TikTok: @adelajergovaa
Brooklyn
Birth name: Brooklyn Van Sandt
Birthday: April 22, 2006
Nationality: American
Fun facts: Brooklyn is from Texas and is a fan of Taylor Swift. Not only she can sing, but she also plays guitar and writes songs.
Instagram: houseofbrooklyn
TikTok: @houseofbrooklyn
Celeste
Birth name: Celeste Diaz
Birthday: August 3, 2004
Nationality: Argentinian
Fun facts: Like other contestants, she can speak more than one languages.
Instagram: celestee._4
TikTok: @chelee.4 (private)
Daniela
Birth name: Daniela Avanzini
Birthday: July 1, 2004
Nationality: American
Fun facts: Daniela is a ballroom dancer, model and actress for many commercials. She has appeared in some shows, like So You Think You Can Dance?, America’s Got Talent, and Super Kids Europe.
Instagram: daniela_avanzini
TikTok: @daniela_avanzini
Emily
Birth name: Emily Ann Kelavos
Birthday: February 14, 2006
Nationality: American
Fun facts: Emily has won many dance competitions, including Teen Female Dancer of the Year for Streetz Dancer 2021, top 10 in the Radix Junior Competition 2019, 1st place junior soloist Starquest 2018, and more.
Instagram: emilykelavos
TikTok: @emilykelavos
Ezrela
Birth name: Ezrela Abraham
Birthday: May 20, 2003
Nationality: Australian
Fun facts: Ezrela is ethnically Indian and can speak English and Malayalam.
Instagram: ezrelaa
TikTok: @its.ezy (private)
Hinari
Birth name: Hinari Irie
Birthday: February 19, 2009
Nationality: Japanese
Fun facts: Hinari passed a private audtition with HYBE in April 2023 and officially signed with them in June 2023.
Instagram: hina_rinchan
Iliya
Birth name: Iliya Fedartsova
Birthday: July 23, 2002
Nationality: Belarusian
Fun facts: Iliya is a songwriter and producer who has posted her original songs including her debut album “Nestandart” on various platforms. Not only that, she is also a fashion influencer who is popular on social media.
Instagram: iliya.ria
TikTok: @riais4air
Spotify: Iliya
Apple Music: Iliya
Karlee
Birth name: Karlee Tanaka
Birthday: October 7, 2003
Nationality: American
Fun facts: Although Karlee is from Honolulu, Hawaii, she is ethnically Korean and Japanese. She graduated from Mid-pacific Institute in 2022.
Instagram: gnarly.karlee
TikTok: @gnarly.karleeee
YouTube: Karlee 🙂
Lara
Birth name: Lara Rajagopalan
Birthday: November 3, 2005
Nationality: American
Fun facts: Lara (ethnically Indian) won a competition in her childhood hometown in Dallas, Texas, and was invited into a professional program for Septien Entertainment. Afterwards, she moved to NYC and began doing commercials, modeling, acting, and musical theater.
Instagram: lararajj
TikTok: @lararajj
Lexie
Birth name: Lexie Levin
Birthday: August 28, 2004
Nationality: Swedish
Fun facts: Although she is from Stockholm Sweden, Lexie currently lives in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is not only good at singing, but she can also produce music.
Instagram: levin_lexie
TikTok: @levin_lexie
Manon
Birth name: Manon Bannerman
Birthday: June 26, 2002
Nationality: Swiss
Fun facts: Manon was born in Zurich, Switzerland but is ethnically half Ghanian. She is a photography model and loves to travel.
Instagram: meretmanon
TikTok: @meretmanon
Marquise
Birth name: Jadenipit Auramornrat
Birthday: July 28, 2006
Nationality: Thai
Fun facts: Marquise attended the APP16 Kpop Audition program.
Instagram: marquiseaura
TikTok: @marquiseaura
Megan
Birth name: Megan Meiyok Skiendiel
Birthday: February 10, 2006
Nationality: American
Fun facts: Megan is from Honolulu, Hawaii, but she is ethnically Chinese and Caucasian. She has been participating in Paris and LA fashion week for high fashion couture.
Instagram: meganskiendiel
TikTok: @meganskiendiel
Mei
Birth name: Mei Terada
Birthday: September 27, 2005
Nationality: Japanese
Fun facts: Samara is a fan of StayC, TWICE, (G)I-DLE, Gfriend, BTS, and NMIXX.
Instagram: ap_rlsn
Nayoung
Birth name: Nayoung Lee
Birthday: April 17, 2002
Nationality: Korean
Fun facts: Nayoung was a contestant on season 3 of The Voice Korea, but eliminated in episode 6 during the Battle Rounds. She is a former SM trainee and can play acoustic guitar.
Instagram: 160.0_0
Youtube: 이나영 Nayoung Lee
Samara
Birth name: Smara Henriques Siqueira Cunha
Birthday: September 11, 2005
Nationality: Brazilian
Fun facts: Samara was featured on Now Unite Bootcampers.
Instagram: samisiqueiraa
TikTok: @samisiqueiraa
Sophia
Birth name: Sophia Laforteza
Birthday: December 31, 2002
Nationality: Filipino
Fun facts: Sophia is the daughter of a singer and actress, Carla Guevara Laforteza. She appeared in a 2022 episode of Family Feud Phillipines.
Instagram: sophia_laforteza
TikTok: @sophialaforteza
Ua
Birth name: Ua Shimada
Birthday: March 16, 2008
Nationality: Japanese
Fun facts: Ua is a black belt in shaolin kempo karate and a hells dancer. Not only that, she also plays violin.
Instagram: uachanmama
TikTok: @mjukmjvjmtp
Yoonchae
Birth name: Yoonchae Jeong
Birthday: December 6, 2007
Nationality: Korean
Fun facts: Yoonchae passed the auditions for CJ E&M in 2020.
Instagram: y0on_cha3
TikTok: @useri72me93zt1
Who’s your top 6 favorite contestants? Feel free to show your support to each contestant in the comment section below. And, follow Kpoppost on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Twitter, and Telegram channel for more exhilarating K-entertainment news!
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