Hybe America has partnered with YouTube star and creator of Alan’s University, Alan Chikin Chow, to establish a new venture named Hybe America X Au.
Innovative Franchise Development
The company describes Hybe America X Au as “the first one of a kind label,” which will introduce an “innovative franchise, covering both script and music.”
The official announcement from HYBE states that “the collaboration of Hybe America X Au challenges current industry conventions with a bold approach, effectively merging Eastern and Western entertainment traditions in an entirely new way.”
Chow, who boasts 88.8 million subscribers on YouTube, will serve as the executive producer and label leader alongside Hybe America’s president James Shin and general director Scooter Brown.
The initial project under the newly established label will commence with a global talent search to create new “multifaceted artists who will collaborate with Chow in the ‘Ko-Ed-Group,’ consisting of three men and three women.”
Following participant selection, Hybe indicates that an “intensive development program,” which integrates Chow’s content experience with the Hybe K-Pop training system, will take place in Los Angeles.
The musical group will be showcased to audiences through an original streaming series.
Future Prospects and Successes
Hybe America X Au marks the latest endeavor and investment by the South Korean entertainment giant in the U.S. market, following a recent collaboration with Ryan Tedder to create a next-generation boy band.
The company also successfully launched Katsi in partnership with Geffen Records, after years of development, which the HYBE leading group emphasized during the company’s Fourth Quarter call as evidence of the K-POP system’s success in Western markets.
During the call, Hybe CEO Jason Yasang Lee stated that the group “had its best year in 2024 with their debut album Sister,” with their title track Touch appearing on Billboard’s bubbling under Hot 100 for two weeks and a global song chart for 13 consecutive weeks.
“The group received overwhelming attention and acclaim from listeners and music critics worldwide. Success Katsi demonstrates that the K-POP system can thrive in the U.S.,” said Lee.
Hybe America X Au will initiate a global talent search for a new group via social media.
According to the official press release, “while many production details remain under wraps, the series will follow budding pop artists enrolled in the Academy of Arts, who will decide to form their own group, merging the worlds of drama, acting, and musical performance alongside simultaneous releases of original music and choreography.”
Hybe asserts that this new “artistic endeavor will signify a new era in content-driven entertainment,” with a franchise existing on a “massive YouTube channel,” as well as across various platforms encompassing music, merchandise, live tours, and more.
“Together we create the next generation franchise with one purpose: to serve our fans inspiring, influential stories.”
Alan Chikin Chow
Commenting on the new partnership, Chow stated: “The passionate global fan base of the Alan universe, in partnership with the top-notch expertise of Hybe America, creates unparalleled synergy.”
“We are building a franchise with Alan that creates a new model for artist development in the digital era.”
James Shin
Shin remarked: “This partnership represents the future of entertainment—where content and music enhance each other, rather than simply existing side by side.”
Lucas focuses on the interaction between music and society. He specializes in how music influences and reflects cultures, analyzing the role of sound in social, political, and cultural events around the world.
