HYBE, the South Korean entertainment giant behind global phenomenon BTS, has announced the launch of a brand-new subsidiary label, ABD, exclusively dedicated to the production and development of girl groups.
The label, whose name stands for “A Bold Dream,” represents the latest expansion of HYBE’s multi-label ecosystem.
According to a press statement, ABD is anchored in a creative philosophy of jumping directly from “A and B to D,” bypassing conventional norms to explore “unconventional, flexible, and playful ideas.”
”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 expanding the horizons of K-pop,” HYBE said.
ABD will be spearheaded by President No Ji-won, the former head of artist planning at Pledis Entertainment. Joining her is Master Professional Han Sung-soo, the visionary producer behind SEVENTEEN, IZ*ONE, and After School, who will oversee the overall production of the label’s debut act.
”The new label aims to pursue the intrinsic joy of music while exploring new possibilities and expanding the horizons of K-pop,” the company added.
The label is officially set to debut its first girl group in the second half of 2026. ABD joins a roster of successful female-led subsidiaries under the HYBE umbrella, including Source Music (LE SSERAFIM), ADOR (NewJeans), and BELIFT LAB (ILLIT).