The label behind the K-pop icon BTS dropped a bomb – or should I say, dynamite – by announcing they’ll be coming to Singapore to hold auditions this July.
Big Hit Music To Hold Global Auditions, Including In Singapore
Big Hit Music, formerly Big Hit Entertainment, is a South Korean record label under conglomerate HYBE.
Other than BTS, the label is also home to Tomorrow X Together (TXT), another one of the most popular boy groups in K-pop to date.
Big Hit Music has announced it will be conducting global auditions for its next batch of trainees.
Auditions will start this month and conclude in August, spanning cities such as Los Angeles, Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei, and, yes, Singapore.
Who Can Audition?
Now, before you get all excited about becoming the next huge K-pop princess, this audition is only open to males.
So, if you didn’t make it in the audition for girl group Fifty Fifty in February, this will sadly not be a redemption round for you.
For the guys, however, this will be your chance to become part of a sensational K-pop boy group in a few years’ time.
However, as with all K-pop auditions, you have to be pretty young to even be considered. This round of auditions will only be open to males born after 2006.
How To Audition
For those of you who are ready to toss your hat in the ring, you can choose to audition online or on-site.
Those opting for online auditions can head to Big Hit Music’s audition site and apply there. You’ll need to upload a clear frontal-view photo of your face, and a media file, not exceeding 100MB, showcasing your talents.
If you’d like to audition on-site, simply head to Metropolitan YMCA on 20 July 2024. No pre-registration is required as registration will take place at the site at 11am on the day of the audition.
Make sure to bring along a mobile device that can use cellular data as you’ll have to scan a QR code to fill out an application form on-site.
For those who cannot bring a mobile device, on-site staff members will be present to assist you.
Should I Audition In Person Or Online?
In-Person: Get To Meet Like-Minded Individuals And The Judges
On-site auditions are great for meeting others who are interested in K-pop, allowing you to make lots of friends.
You’ll also get to meet the judges in person, making the audition more special and memorable.
Plus, you’ll get to take lots of fun pictures to commemorate your being there.
In-Person: You May Stand Out More And Have A Lasting Impact
While filming an audition with a camera can be scary, auditioning in person is definitely more nerve-wrecking.
If you can stand in front of the judges and show that you’re not afraid to perform and be yourself, it may make you stand out more against the hundreds of virtual auditions they’ll have to review.
Online: Convenience
Online auditions provide more convenience to those who may have plans or will be overseas during the audition.
Don’t worry about being disadvantaged as the site’s FAQ response says: “BIGHIT MUSIC Casting team will carefully review your application.”
Online: Showcase Multiple Talents
While online applicants are welcome to attach several materials to your application to showcase multiple talents, those auditioning in person will only be able to apply for one category.
You may be have a slight edge by showcasing multiple talents online as compared to just one during the on-site audition.
Can’t Decide? Do Both
According to the site’s FAQ response, Big Hit Music will allow auditionees to participate in the in-person audition, even after they have auditioned online.
So if you think your online audition wasn’t impressive enough, have a go at the on-site audition this July.
What If I Can’t Sing Or Dance?
According to Big Hit Music, this audition is a chance to showcase any talent you want.
Anything at all.
So if you’re not the best dancer or singer, don’t worry, because that’s what the trainee period is for – to develop your skills.
However, it would probably be best if you’re not tone-deaf and can at least have some sort of groove.
Popular K-pop girl group Le Sserafim has recently been under fire for their “terrible” vocals and “unimpressive dancing” after their performance at Coachella earlier this year, proving how important it is to get these foundations right.
That being said, there’s always time for improvement, so just show up and give it your best shot.
If you don’t think your singing skills can win Big Hit Music over, perhaps try your hand at being funny like Twice’s Dahyun who shocked JYP (and everyone else) with her “eagle dance”.
Alternatively, showcase another skill like Twice’s Sana who made a Vietnamese spring roll for JYP during her audition.
Seems like Twice is a multi-talented group with really funny members.
How Will I Know The Results?
Now, here comes the scariest part of any audition: Results.
For online applicants, the results will be sent individually to those who have passed the audition. Those who passed can expect to receive this within two weeks after the online registration through your registered contact point.
For those who auditioned in person, you’ll also hear back within two weeks after the in-person registration through your registered contact point.
We’re about two months away from in-person auditions here in Singapore, so auditionee preparations are probably underway.
In fact, those interested in auditioning probably already began preparations the moment they read the headline.
Maybe you, too, could be like Singapore Joye Cai who took up a K-pop trainee contract offer after the Fifty Fifty audition earlier this year.