YG Entertainment, the South Korean agency associated with BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, 2NE1 and BABYMONSTER, is opening its latest talent search in Canada, with in-person auditions scheduled for Vancouver on Nov. 11 and Toronto on Nov. 14.
The opportunity is aimed at aspiring performers born from 2008 through 2015. Applicants can put themselves forward in one of three areas — vocals, rap or dance — giving young hopefuls several routes into a highly stylized performance world where singing, movement and stage presence are treated as equally important parts of the package.
Two Canadian stops, one chance to audition
In Vancouver, the event will be held at Element by Marriott Vancouver Metrotown, at 5988 Willingdon Ave. in Burnaby. The Toronto audition is set for KCCA Toronto, at 1133 Leslie St. in North York. In-person registration is listed for 1 to 4 p.m. local time at both locations.
| City | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver area | Nov. 11 | Element by Marriott Vancouver Metrotown, Burnaby |
| Toronto area | Nov. 14 | KCCA Toronto, North York |
What applicants need to prepare
YG Entertainment says participants must bring valid photo identification that confirms their date of birth. A driver’s licence or passport is listed as an example. Each person must also prepare a one-minute audition in the category they select.
- Applicants must have been born between 2008 and 2015.
- Auditions are open regardless of ethnicity or gender.
- Each applicant may audition only once during the 2026 YG Global Audition schedule.
- Dance applicants must have a YouTube URL for their chosen track ready for the application form.
The once-only rule makes the Canadian dates especially consequential for anyone considering the opportunity. A performer who auditions in Vancouver cannot use the Toronto event as a second attempt, according to the audition information. That turns the choice of city into a practical decision rather than a built-in do-over.
The dance requirement also arrives with an extra piece of preparation. Applicants in that category need to select their music in advance and bring the relevant YouTube link for entry on the form at the audition. Vocal and rap applicants, meanwhile, are asked to prepare their own one-minute performance, keeping the focus on a concise introduction to their abilities.
A major name in the K-pop pipeline
For Canadian performers who have grown up watching BLACKPINK or following the wider K-pop scene, the name on the audition notice carries obvious weight. YG Entertainment has built its profile around acts including BLACKPINK, 2NE1 and BIGBANG, and its current roster is also represented in the notice by BABYMONSTER. The company’s arrival in Toronto and the Vancouver area gives young applicants a chance to present themselves without travelling outside Canada for the initial audition.
There is no promise of a contract or debut attached to the Canadian events in the information provided. What is clear is the entry point: bring identification, prepare one minute, choose vocal, rap or dance, and appear at one of the two Canadian stops. For a generation used to discovering performers through online clips, the audition offers a distinctly old-fashioned test — step into a room, perform live and see whether the moment travels further.
