Netflix’s ‘We Go High’ Is Searching South Korea’s Arts Schools for the Next Global K-Pop Girl Group

Netflix has spent years building a reputation for Korean content that travels far beyond its home market. From scripted dramas to unscripted hits, the streamer has leaned into Korean storytelling, including reality shows like ‘Zombieverse’ and the survival competition ‘The Influencer’.

Its next move takes that strategy straight into the heart of K-pop. Audition shows have long been a launching pad for idol groups, and Netflix is now preparing its own spin on the format, one centered on a setting with deep roots in Korean pop culture: the arts high school.

Netflix has officially confirmed ‘We Go High‘, a new K-pop girl group audition series following talented students from arts high schools across South Korea. As What’s on Netflix reported, auditions are now open as the streamer begins its search for its next global K-pop group.

The series will follow students who have pursued the arts while dreaming of becoming singers. Representing top arts high schools across the country, contestants will face off against formidable rivals while also building the chemistry it takes to become a group.

Netflix has said the project aims to broaden K-pop’s global fandom, with the final lineup selected through the eyes of a worldwide audience. Applications opened on October 21. Female students in their first or second year at arts high schools, or at high schools offering broadcasting-related programs, are eligible, along with students set to enroll in such schools in 2027.

A Netflix anunciou o lançamento de “We Go High”, um reality show de sobrevivência para formar um novo girlgroup de K-pop, com apoio da SM C&C. https://t.co/NG7nmtUFfF

— NPOMV | Zine (@npomvtt) October 22, 2026

The format blends competition with collaboration. Contestants will compete as rivals representing their schools while also learning to work together, setting up a dynamic that combines school spirit with the pressure of an idol audition.

The series will be directed and produced by Park Jin-kyung and Lee Jae-seok of Monsterahaus. Park previously worked on Netflix’s ‘Zombieverse’, while Lee worked on ‘The Influencer’, giving the pair plenty of experience with the streamer’s unscripted slate. Their involvement suggests ‘We Go High’ will bring a polished, high-stakes approach to the audition genre.

One of the most notable details is what happens after the competition ends. Netflix has signed a memorandum of understanding with entertainment company SM C&C to support the group formed through the series beyond its debut.

The two companies plan to develop the group together, support its activities and help its members build a presence on the global stage. “It’s meaningful to be introducing the next generation of global artists together with Netflix,” SM C&C CEO Park Tae-hyun told Financial News, adding that the company will draw on its entertainment capabilities to help the group perform globally.

That long-term commitment sets ‘We Go High’ apart from many audition shows, where the spotlight often fades once the final episode airs. Here, viewers who discover contestants on the show could follow them into their music releases and group activities.

The arts high school setting has long fascinated audiences, and Netflix is betting that pairing it with a real K-pop audition will create something fresh. Not every student in these programs wants to become an idol, but the series brings that educational environment into a televised competition.

Korean media have noted high expectations for how the combination of school rivalries and idol training could reshape the format. With global viewers helping choose the final lineup, the show could give its eventual group a ready-made international fanbase from day one. No premiere date has been announced yet, but with auditions underway, the search for Netflix’s next K-pop group has officially begun.

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