AUDITION
SOURCE MUSIC to Hold Summer Auditions Across 10 Coastal Regions in Korea
SOURCE MUSIC, the agency of LE SSERAFIM, will hold rookie discovery auditions across 10 coastal regions in Korea in summer 2026. The article summarizes the meaning of a route connecting Incheon, Boryeong, Gunsan, Mokpo, Haenam, Geoje, Pohang, Sokcho, Jeju Hallim and Seogwipo.
SOURCE MUSIC will hold rookie discovery auditions across 10 coastal regions in Korea in summer 2026. The released poster lists Incheon, Boryeong, Gunsan, Mokpo, Haenam, Geoje, Pohang, Sokcho, Jeju Hallim and Seogwipo.
SOURCE MUSIC is holding a rookie discovery audition centered on coastal regions across Korea in summer 2026. SOURCE MUSIC, known as the agency of LE SSERAFIM, announced the 2026 summer audition through several media outlets on August 3, Korea time. The released poster lists 10 locations: Incheon, Boryeong, Gunsan, Mokpo, Haenam, Geoje, Pohang, Sokcho, Jeju Hallim and Seogwipo.
This audition stands out because it is closer to a format in which the agency goes directly to different regions to meet potential applicants, rather than simply announcing an application window. K-pop trainee discovery has long been centered on Seoul, the greater capital area, major academy districts and online application channels. Recently, however, region-based auditions and global online submissions have both been used, gradually widening the way agencies look for talent.
A Summer Audition Moving Along Coastal Regions
The core point commonly reported is that SOURCE MUSIC will hold rookie discovery auditions in 10 coastal regions across Korea. At the top of the released poster, the listed locations are Incheon, Boryeong, Gunsan, Mokpo, Haenam, Geoje, Pohang, Sokcho, Jeju Hallim and Seogwipo. Even from the location names alone, it is clear that the audition is not limited to a specific major city, but was planned to include the west coast, south coast, east coast and Jeju area.
The audition name and poster also reflect the seasonality of summer. The poster places images of the seaside, a breakwater and youth holding a guitar at the front. This can be seen as a device to create a friendlier atmosphere for applicants. Still, the poster image should not be understood as indicating the audition's evaluation criteria. The actual application categories and evaluation method need to be confirmed through official notices and on-site guidance.
SOURCE MUSIC's move is also meaningful because it widens accessibility for regional applicants. For teenagers and young adults who dream of becoming trainees, auditions are strongly affected by access to information and travel costs. Auditions held in the capital area provide many opportunities, but for applicants living outside Seoul, time and cost can become a burden. In that sense, a regional touring audition is closer to a format in which the agency approaches potential applicants first.
SOURCE MUSIC's Rookie Discovery Flow After LE SSERAFIM
SOURCE MUSIC is now widely known as the company that manages LE SSERAFIM under HYBE Labels. The company previously introduced GFRIEND, and later showed girl group production capability in the global market through LE SSERAFIM. For that reason, a SOURCE MUSIC audition notice is more than a recruitment-style announcement. It is also material for looking at how the company is widening its candidate pool for next-generation artists.
An agency's rookie discovery begins much earlier than album production or a debut project. Even after trainees are selected, many processes follow, including vocals, dance, language, team adaptation and stage expression. Therefore, this audition cannot be assumed to lead directly to the debut of a new team. What can currently be confirmed is that SOURCE MUSIC is holding a separate audition to meet applicants in 10 coastal regions across Korea.
Even so, the schedule can be seen as an example of agencies diversifying the way they discover talent. Online applications have the advantage of reducing limits of time and place, while in-person auditions allow agencies to directly observe an applicant's attitude, stage response and ability to react on the spot. When a major agency moves from region to region for auditions, it can also meet participants who may decide to apply for the first time at the venue.
Online Rolling Auditions and On-Site Auditions
SOURCE MUSIC's official audition page also provides information on a rolling application method. According to the official page, the daily audition is open to applicants born in or after 2008, with no restrictions on gender or nationality. Application categories include vocal, rap, dance, self-introduction and special talent, and submissions are available in Korean, English and Japanese. Successful applicants are contacted individually, and the review process may take some time.
The Industry Meaning of Regional Touring Auditions
In the K-pop industry, trainee discovery is an area where globalization and localization are happening at the same time. On one side, the number of overseas applicants is increasing through online submissions. On the other, in-person auditions held in different regions of Korea continue to be used. For agencies, it has become important to meet applicants from diverse backgrounds. For applicants, having an opportunity closer to where they live can be practically helpful.
The fact that this SOURCE MUSIC audition is organized along coastal regions is also worth noting. Incheon, Sokcho, Pohang, Geoje, Mokpo and Jeju each belong to different living and cultural areas. Holding the same audition in several regions can reduce the concentration of applicants in a single area and allow the agency to confirm a wider range of possibilities.
Of course, an audition is only the starting point of selection. Even if an applicant receives a positive evaluation on site, additional reviews and trainee processes may follow, and debut is a separate matter.
Summary Points
- SOURCE MUSIC will hold rookie discovery auditions across 10 coastal regions in Korea in summer 2026.
- The released poster lists Incheon, Boryeong, Gunsan, Mokpo, Haenam, Geoje, Pohang, Sokcho, Jeju Hallim and Seogwipo.
- SOURCE MUSIC is the agency of LE SSERAFIM, and the audition can be seen as part of its next-generation talent discovery process.
- The official rolling audition page states that applicants born in or after 2008 can apply, with no restrictions on gender or nationality, and categories including vocal, rap and dance.