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SM Entertainment's 'Bring the Boys Out': Age criteria, talent and how to apply for new K-pop boy group audition

In a conference last year titled ‘COMEUP 2020 Meet the Future – Post Pandemic’, Lee Sung Soo, the CEO of SM Entertainment talked about creating SM Entertainment’s ‘cultural universe’

SM Entertainment has a new "boys group" in the making as the South Korean entertainment mogul is reportedly preparing for a new audition globally titled "Bring the Boys Out" taking the lyrics right from Girls’ Generation’s famous track ‘The Boys’.

SM Entertainment, known as the largest entertainment agency in South Korea, currently has more than 17 soloists and seven K-pop groups signed under the label along with subunits, actors, actresses and other special project groups. SM Entertainment has created a few of the most iconic K-pop boy groups that are currently under the company including EXO, SHINee, NCT and super popular girl groups like Girls’ Generation, Red Velvet and the newest edition being Aespa. 

SM Entertainment's 'Cultural Universe'

Prior to the announcement of a new group making, SM Entertainment also reportedly talked about expanding NCT with new sub-units. In a conference last year titled ‘COMEUP 2020 Meet the Future – Post Pandemic’, Lee Sung Soo, the CEO of SM Entertainment talked about creating SM Entertainment’s "cultural universe" and that they plan to expand NCT globally by introducing various new groups.

He said, “The 'New World' that I mentioned earlier is a new universe where a story does not involve just one team, but it is a large universe shared by all of the artists that we are working with. We call this the 'SM Culture Universe'. This is the gradual fulfillment of the 'Virtual World' that we first termed and announced as our goal in 2011."

He added, “Not just one team, but NCT 127, NCT Dream, NCT U, and WayV – NCT is the way that allows us to expand the team limitlessly. We have plans to expand NCT to Japan, Southeast Asia, America, Europe, Australia and even up to Africa next time. You can’t believe it, right? Us too, but we will make it happen. Many trainees that have already signed with us, are practicing hard. Next year, we have plans to debut a fairly huge NCT unit, so please anticipate it.”

The global audition plan of SM Entertainment comes right in that direction fans believe.

Age criteria for ‘Bring the Boys Out’

The age criteria for SM Entertainment’s audition is boys born between 2002 and 2008.

Musical ability

Boys who are born between 2002 and 2008 with any kind of musical ability or performing ability such as rapping, singing, dancing, or other talents can participate in the audition.

How to apply

The application period starts from January 16 to February 15. To apply for the SM New Boy group, fill out this Google Form with a video showcasing your talent and a brief self-introduction at least a minute long. The audion will be held at the headquarters of SM Entertainment in each country including SM USA, JAPAN, and CHINA.

What are fans saying?

Fans have mixed reactions regarding the audition. While some trolled the company for "starting a kindergarten", others believe that SM Entertainment plans to properly train the K-pop stars before their debut which would take a long time, hence the age criteria. A fan said, “People freaking out not accounting for the training years before debuting ashsiskdkdkdk most probably the 08 liners will debut in 2025 or later.”

Another said, “omg sm is starting their own kindergarten!” A user shared, “ok as sm stan I really think we don’t need more man in that company. We want snsd ot8 comeback, fx reunion, rv 3rd full album and aespa comeback 2” to which another replied, “They won't debut now. 2008 kids are too young.  Snsd are focusing on their individual carriers i also miss them. Fx disbanded move on. Rv and aespa cb are confirmed.”

SM Entertainment started the new year by holding a grand concert free for all uniting global favorite K-pop stars of the entertainment agency. They also announced SHINee’s big comeback next which will soon be announced. Check out some of the SMTown Live Culture Humanity's iconic performances below.