(CJ E&M)

CJ E&M, South Korea’s largest entertainment and media company, is planning to inject some 25 billion won ($20.8 million) in nurturing a K-pop boy band in the next three years.

According to the firm, CJ will pick 24 idol wannabes through multiple auditions and trainings. Those who survive will perform Broadway-style K-pop performances, which they expect to attract more tourists and continue to lead the Korean wave.

Liveworks Company, home to the longest-running boy band Shinhwa, will be in charge of producing and training the group, CJ officials said.

CJ E&M has named the boy band and project name “Boys 24,” and will air the whole process from selecting members to performing in front of audiences. The group will begin performing in front of the public in August.

“We’re not thinking of them as just another idol group. They will be the center of K-pop and performance culture in Korea, which could later embrace the tourism industry as a firm business model,” said Ahn Suk-joon, head of CJ E&M’s music performance division.



(khnews@heraldcorp.com)