HYBE × Geffen’s PRELUDE: The Final Piece reveals contestants Emily Kelavos, Samara Siqueira, and Lexie Levin. The survival project kicks off with global auditions and intensive K-Pop training. Fans are excited, divided, and questioning HYBE’s focus after KATSEYE’s debut.X @GeffenRecords
For the fandom, seeing the first poster of “PRELUDE: The Final Piece” felt like déjà vu. After the success of The Debut: Dream Academy and KATSEYE’s debut in 2024, HYBE Labels and Geffen Records are opening a new chapter. This project is not just another reality show—it’s a fusion of the K-Pop industry’s vision with Western production expertise. This article covers the contestants’ journey, global auditions, and netizen reactions, with space reserved to include both official reveal links and early fan leaks.
Contestant Introductions: The Return of Familiar Faces
Since late August 2025, PRELUDE’s official account has been gradually releasing photos under the title “Prelude: The Final Piece.”
The first contestant introduced on August 25, 2025, was Emily Kelavos, a fan favorite from The Debut: Dream Academy. Wikipedia records note that on that date she was officially announced as the first contestant in the new survival show produced by HYBE and Geffen Records. Known for her warm personality and strong dancing skills, Emily’s return is seen by many fans as a sign that she is already “secured” for the final lineup.
Just a day later, on August 26, 2025, Samara Siqueira was revealed as the second contestant. Her profile page on Kpopping confirms that the São Paulo trainee was officially introduced as the second PRELUDE member on that date. While talented and backed by a large fanbase, Samara’s name sparked debate due to past rumors and controversial TikTok content. Still, many fans defended her and hoped she would be given a second chance.
On August 27, 2025, it was Lexie Levin’s turn. Her Kpopping profile shows that the Stockholm-born trainee was announced as the third contestant in HYBE × Geffen’s global project. Lexie adds multicultural flair to the initial lineup, with Swedish, Chilean, German, and Russian heritage, and fluency in English and Swedish. During Dream Academy, Lexie stood out for her strong vocals and songwriting ability.
World Scout: The Final Piece — Global Auditions and Intensive Training
PRELUDE is not just a TV contest; it is the first stage of the World Scout: The Final Piece project. According to Poprant, the program was designed as an international audition tour starting in Japan and will be broadcast on Japanese streaming platform ABEMA in spring 2026. HYBE and Geffen opened auditions for female and non-binary participants born between 2001–2011. The auditions, led by top producers and creative teams from HYBE, aim to find the “final piece” that will complete the lineup.
Successful participants will undergo intensive K-Pop–style training beginning in October through December 2025, followed by further training in the United States. This system mirrors Korea’s trainee structure but is adapted for global markets. The training phase will be tested through a survival training camp broadcast as a competition program, giving viewers a close look at the talent-shaping process. The final winners will debut as a new global girl group jointly produced by HYBE and Geffen Records.
This plan reflects both labels’ long-term strategy. After KATSEYE broke records at multiple festivals and topped charts with singles like “SIS (Soft Is Strong)” and “Beautiful Chaos”, HYBE and Geffen are now attempting to replicate that success with added Japanese influences and Western market appeal. Many observers believe that most members have already been pre-selected, with the auditions only deciding one last position—the true “final piece.” The early reveal of Emily, Samara, and Lexie is taken as evidence that some trainees are already confirmed.
Voices of the Fans: Hope, Controversy, and Criticism
The news of PRELUDE sparked strong reactions on social media. Many fans celebrated Emily’s long-awaited return. Meanwhile, Samara’s inclusion divided opinions—some netizens recalled her past online controversies, while others felt the criticism was overblown and hoped HYBE would give her a chance to rebuild her image. Lexie, though not immune to scrutiny, earned wide praise for her consistency and vocal ability.
“Finally Emily is back! She deserved to debut since Dream Academy, I hope she gets a main position in the new group.”
“If Samara joins the lineup, I’m a little unsure. Her controversy isn’t over yet, but her talent is undeniable.”
“Lexie is the full package—talent, visuals, and personality. I hope she shows more of her songwriting in PRELUDE.”
“I’m curious who the leader will be. My guess is Lexie since she’s the oldest.”
“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this! It feels like a dream. I picked Emily, Lexie, Samara, Ezrela, Yoonchae, and Marquise back in Dream Academy. Only Yoonchae made it into KATSEYE, and now they’re forming a new group with all my other favorites? If Ezrela and Marquise are announced next, my heart won’t survive!”
However, not all responses were positive. Many questioned HYBE’s strategy of launching PRELUDE so soon after KATSEYE’s debut. Some argued that the company should focus on fully developing KATSEYE, who are still only a year into their career. Comments like “KATSEYE doesn’t even have a full album yet, why start another group?” and “HYBE is spreading themselves too thin—this could hurt both groups” highlight concerns about oversaturation and resource allocation. Others went further, criticizing HYBE for chasing trends instead of investing long-term in the group they already have.
Even with the criticism, the sheer volume of discussions proves PRELUDE is capturing global attention. Whether viewed as a bold expansion or a risky gamble, HYBE × Geffen’s collaboration has once again ignited debate across both K-Pop and Western pop culture.
Sources: Allkpop, Kpopping, Poprant, Koreaboo, Kbizoom
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