HYBE’s New Girl Group Project Faces Boycott Threats Over Rumors Of Controversial Trainee’s Inclusion
Following the success of KATSEYE, HYBE shared plans for a second multinational group.
HYBE and Geffen Records shared the news on August 6, revealing that the group will be formed through World Scout: The Final Piece, which will kick off with a wide-reaching audition tour across Japan, seeking exceptional talent worldwide. Those selected will participate in a tailored “K-pop-style training” program—modified for the US market—between October and December.
After this, the selected elite trainees will train in the US, competing for a spot in the final 2026 debut line-up.
Netizens looking forward to this were given the first clue through the X account PRELUDE: The Final Piece, which announced the first person linked — a Dream Academy alumnus, Emily.
PRELUDE: The Final Piece @preludethefinal
member reveal #1: Emily Kelavos
#HYBE #GEFFEN #ABEMA pic.twitter.com/JQJxC1hOx8— Geffen Records (@GeffenRecords) August 25, 2025
As with all survival shows, there is already a strong rumor mill as netizens discuss the possible members of the group. However, one possibility has not been well-received, with some stating they would not support the group if the trainee were included.
During Dream Academy, several popular trainees participated, including Samara, a Brazilian trainee who made it to the show’s finale.
Samara ultimately placed 7th and just missed debuting as a member of KATSEYE, something that some attributed to a controversy she was involved in. Samara’s TikTok activity was shown to include “questionable” videos about what is happening in Palestine and Indians.
In a forum post discussing the group, a netizen claimed that an insider let them know that Samara would be participating.
Comment
byu/Witty-University-552 from discussion
inHYBEglobal
Many immediately reacted to the possibility, with many have negative feelings about Samara possibly being featured in the project.
pls dont have #that girl in it is all I BEG https://t.co/UoIE1onR3D
— jo ʚଓ (@softlikejosie) August 26, 2025
If Samara is in this group/project, I will not support cuz that girl is a piece of shit pic.twitter.com/x3rJkZXZdi
— Impaled (@impaled_ghoulia) August 26, 2025
if samara is on there i’m sorry but i will not be standing
— ✶ sam is the rizz master ! (@meiyokkiss) August 26, 2025
posting this here since a lot of you like to pretend samara didn't laugh at anti indian racism. fuck her then now and forever pic.twitter.com/eyEjvYC7O7
— ericeffiorg⁶ (@ericeffiorg) August 26, 2025
Only time will tell if Samara will return as a HYBE trainee again.
