Netflix have announced plans to air a series attempting to find the next global K-Pop girl group.

The label behind the Korean pop sensations BTS, South Korean entertainment company Hybe, revealed the 20 contestants competing for a spot in the group, with an X Factor-style audition process being documented for a series on Netflix.

For the first time, a major U.S. record label, Geffen Records, and a K-Pop entertainment leader, HYBE, are uniting to develop a global girl group.

20 contestants are set to compete in audition program ‘The Debut: Dream Academy’ premiering September 1st globally on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/SdOSq7ufjB

— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 29, 2023

Hybe joined forces with the US music label, Geffen Records, to select the final group of female contestants from over 120,000 submissions.

The Netflix series marks the first time an America-based girl group will undergo the world-renowned K-pop training and development system. The contestants have allegedly been training under the system over the last year in Los Angeles, according to the South Korean and American labels.

K-pop training academies are a contraversial regime, involving young trainees living in a regulated environment together, spending hours each day learning how to sing, dance, speak foreign languages, and gain other skills in preparation for an intensive music career. The academies have been widely criticised, with some feeling the regimes are overly competitive and intense, with the abilities to hugely damage the young people's mental health.

HYBE and Geffen Records releases group picture of “Dream Academy” contestants, reality show which will form a new global girl group.

“Dream Academy” will have a documentary, to be released on Netflix in 2024. Fans will be able to vote for their picks through Weverse and TikTok.… pic.twitter.com/FeuyEPiJbZ

— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) August 29, 2023

From September 1, fans can follow the 20 aspiring stars, who hail from Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Philippines, Japan, Slovakia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the United States, on their adventure through a YouTube series titled: The Debut: Dream Academy. In 2024, Netflix will then release the docuseries about the process.

The YouTube series will span 12 weeks, leading up to a live finale featuring the top contestants fighting for a spot in the final group, airing on November 17.

The search was first launched almost two years ago, with fans now getting to watch Dream Academy until the final members of the group and the name of the band are determined, later this year.

The Netflix series, with no exact release date yet, is directed by filmmaker Nadia Hallgren, who also created Netflix's Emmy-nominated documentary about Michelle Obama, Becoming.

K-pop, the common word for Korean popular music, has grown far beyond its origins of electronic, hip-hop, pop and rock into a complete subculture of its own, with a dedicated fan base.

the dream academy self introductions from each contestants.. it really is global!!🥺 pic.twitter.com/MJWFdLkRsA

— rubie (@auditiontwtceo) August 29, 2023

The K-Pop boyband BTS have achieved recognition across the world, with their self-produced music winning them a host of awards since their debut in 2012.

Speaking about the new venture, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M, John Janick, said: "To develop a global group... with the best of K-Pop methodology, and our Geffen team, is truly special and will bring to life a first-of-its kind experience in music.

"Each candidate is incredibly talented, dedicated, and driven, making this an exciting moment for music fans around the world."