MANILA, Philippines — K-pop giant HYBE officially announced on Friday, May 8, 2026, the launch of its newest subsidiary label, ABD (short for “A Bold Dream”). The label is dedicated exclusively to the development and production of girl groups, marking another expansion in HYBE’s multi-label ecosystem that already includes powerhouses like ADOR, Source Music, and BELIFT LAB.
The announcement has sparked massive interest due to the high-profile creative team tapped to lead the label’s debut project.
The creative direction for ABD’s first girl group will be helmed by Han Sung-soo, the founder of Pledis Entertainment. Han is widely regarded as a “mastermind” in the industry for his success in producing diverse, high-impact K-pop acts.
- Proven Track Record: Han is the primary creative force behind SEVENTEEN and the recently debuted boy group TWS.
- Girl Group Expertise: He has significant experience in the female idol sector, having produced the legendary group After School and served as the producer for the hit project group IZ*ONE.
- Role at ABD: As the “Master Professional,” Han will oversee the upcoming group’s music, visual concepts, performance style, and overall artistic identity.
ABD will be headed by President No Ji-won, who previously served as the Head of Artist Planning at Pledis Entertainment and has experience with MORE VISION.
- “A-B-D” Concept: The label’s name refers to a willingness to break conventional patterns—skipping “C” to go from “A” and “B” straight to “D”—symbolizing a philosophy of pursuing “unconventional, flexible, and playful ideas.”
- Strategic Focus: Unlike some other HYBE labels that manage both male and female artists, ABD is a specialized “girl group factory” designed to build unique intellectual properties (IPs) from the ground up.
While specific details about the group members and the group’s name remain under wraps, HYBE has confirmed the following timeline:
| Event | Target Schedule |
| Label Launch | May 8, 2026 |
| First Girl Group Debut | Second Half of 2026 |
The launch of ABD is seen as a strategic move to solidify HYBE’s dominance in the girl group market, complementing its existing roster of global sensations:
- NewJeans (ADOR)
- LE SSERAFIM (Source Music)
- ILLIT (BELIFT LAB)
- KATSEYE (HYBE x Geffen)
The announcement comes during a period of record-breaking financial success for HYBE, fueled by the ongoing BTS “Arirang” World Tour and strong performances across its subsidiary labels.