LOS ANGELES, Nov 19, (Agencies): Representing the Philippines, Sophia Laforteza has secured a coveted spot in the upcoming global girl group formed by leading Korean entertainment company HYBE and Geffen Records. The announcement came during the live finale of "The Debut: Dream Academy" program, held on Nov 17 (Nov 18 in Manila) in Los Angeles.

Competing against the top 10 contestants, Laforteza and her fellow competitors vied for a place in the six-member global girl group named Katseye. The intense program was simultaneously livestreamed on HYBE Label’s YouTube Channel (Global), Weverse (Global), and ABEMA (Japan).

"The Debut: Dream Academy" project is set to unveil the international girl group in 2024, marking a historic moment as the first US-based, truly global girl group created and modeled based on the renowned K-pop training and development system. The contestants had quietly undergone training in Los Angeles over the past year.

Laforteza, 20, was the first to be called to join the debuting girl group, Katseye. The final lineup includes Lara Rajagopalan, 17 (US); Daniela Avanzini, 19 (US); Manon Bannerman, 21 (Switzerland); Megan Skiendiel, 17 (US); and Yoonchae Jeong, 15 (South Korea).

The selection of the final lineup was determined through a combination of early votes, real-time votes during the live finale, and evaluations by the program's judges. HYBE, the parent company of renowned K-pop groups such as BTS, Seventeen, ENHYPEN, and Tomorrow X Together, continues to expand its influence in the global music industry.