HYBE launches girl-group label ABD, set for first debut in second half of 2026

HYBE announced plans to debut a new girl group to be formed by Han Sung-soo, best known as the creative mastermind behind notable K-pop groups.  The K-pop behemoth’s new group will debut under ABD (or A Bold Dream), a new sublabel dedicated to producing girl groups, as announced in a press statement on Friday, May 8.  “It embodies the label’s creative philosophy of pursuing unconventional, flexible, and playful ideas that push beyond the norm. Guided by a deep understanding of both artists and fans, the new label aims to pursue the intrinsic joy of music while exploring new possibilities and […]...Keep on reading: Seventeen, IZ*ONE, TWS mastermind tapped by HYBE to form new girl group

ABD, short for A Bold Dream, is dedicated to girl group production, with the first project launching in the second half of 2026.

HYBE, the Korean powerhouse behind global K-pop juggernauts like BTS, is sharpening its focus on the competitive girl-group market. The company announced Friday the launch of ABD, a subsidiary label dedicated exclusively to the development of female K-pop acts. The move marks a significant deepening of HYBE’s multilabel architecture, a decentralized strategy designed to foster creative independence while leveraging the parent company’s massive infrastructure. ABD — an acronym for “A Bold Dream” — is slated to debut its first rookie ensemble in the second half of this year. According to the company, the label’s mission is to pursue "unconventional ideas" and push the stylistic boundaries of the genre through "artist-focused production." Observers view the expansion as an attempt to diversify HYBE’s intellectual property and reduce its historic reliance on a handful of flagship acts. By positioning ABD as a specialized creative hub, HYBE aims to cultivate a distinct brand identity that can compete in an increasingly crowded global music landscape. "The launch is part of a

HYBE, the Korean powerhouse behind global K-pop juggernauts like BTS, is sharpening its focus on the competitive girl-group market. The company announced Friday the launch of ABD, a subsidiary label dedicated exclusively to the development of female K-pop acts. The move marks a significant deepening of HYBE’s multilabel architecture, a decentralized strategy designed to foster creative independence while leveraging the parent company’s massive infrastructure. ABD — an acronym for “A Bold Dream” — is slated to debut its first rookie ensemble in the second half of this year. According to the company, the label’s mission is to pursue "unconventional ideas" and push the stylistic boundaries of the genre through "artist-focused production." Observers view the expansion as an attempt to diversify HYBE’s intellectual property and reduce its historic reliance on a handful of flagship acts. By positioning ABD as a specialized creative hub, HYBE aims to cultivate a distinct brand identity that can compete in an increasingly crowded global music landscape. "The launch is part of a

K-pop powerhouse HYBE said Friday it has established a new label specializing in producing girl groups, with plans to debut its first act later this year. The label is named ABD, short for its brand slogan, "A Bold Dream," and reflects an approach that seeks to "imagine D instead of C after A and B," the company said in a statement. The label will be led by No Ji-won, head of artist planning at HYBE subsidiary Pledis Entertainment. Pledis' veteran producer Han Sung-soo, who has previously worked on artists including Seventeen, After School, IZ*ONE and TWS, will lead production for the new girl group, HYBE said. The planned debut will add to HYBE's roster of girl groups, which includes Le Sserafim under Source Music, NewJeans under ADOR, ILLIT under Belift Lab and Katseye under HYBE Labels.

HYBE has announced the launch of their new label dedicated to girl group production, ABD ("A Bold Dream"). ABD will debut a girl group later this year.