HYBE αмєяι¢α, the US arm of HYBE, announced on April 4 that it has recently signed a global partnership agreement with Alan Chikin Chow, which is expected to launch a promising new-generation pop group.

Variety reported that the two's new label, HYBE αмєяι¢α x AU, will aim to combine scripted content and music. The upcoming group will be developed under HYBE's idol training system and the expertise of popular YouTuber Alan.

Alan Chikin Chow is known for his viral teen comedy series 'Alan's Universe'. He will serve as an executive producer alongside HYBE αмєяι¢α CEO Scooter Braun and James Shin, the label's President of Film and Television.

The six-member group, consisting of three men and three women, will be selected through a global open audition for all nationalities.

The new group created through this process will debut in the series “Alan’s Universe,” which tells the story of idol trainees who decide to form a band after enrolling in an art academy.

Although the project initially attracted a lot of attention due to its fresh concept, it recently received a lot of criticism for using BTS as a promotional material through its first teaser.

On April 4, HYBE announced the recruitment of trainees for this project with a video that lasted about 1 minute. In the video, there were many scenes of BTS’s performances and concerts inserted with the aim of attracting other trainees, promising their success similar to BTS.

Immediately after the video was shared, ARMYs expressed their dissatisfaction with the use of BTS’s image to promote the new project. Many pointed out that it was unfair and unnecessary to use the group as a marketing tool for a completely unrelated project.

ARMYs also questioned why BTS, who are under BIGHIT MUSIC, appeared in a trailer for a group under another label. Fans said the company should focus on supporting the BTS members instead of constantly using the group to promote new projects.

Some also felt that this reflected the K-pop giant's long-standing pattern of using BTS's success to promote new groups and content:

- Leave bts alone.They're not a promotional tool.They're not even related to hybe αмєяι¢α

- Wait one minute. First video of those idols then"Ready to become a global phenomenon"appear and after that video of ARMYs at concert. What was the meaning behind all this?Has the preparation for "Next BTS"started again? BTS is under bigнιт why Hybe using BTS & ARMY? @BIGHIT_MUSIC

- everything wouldve been fine had they not used bts's clip right before going 'hybe's kpop мєтнodology.' get the business perspective but it's distasteful considering bts has never been a formula. and has fans that have been on this journey because it has exactly those seven men

- how is bts related? Why r they used for promotion but never given the actual credit?

- Now, Why BTS r being used for the promo?? Nd What's k-pop мєтнod!!? BTS reached to the top with their own hardwork, own personality nd own musicality. Nd no one can replicate BTS to make another BTS. What's so hard in this to understand!??

- it's always hybe using bts to promote other groups instead of promoting bts themselves. we really couldn't f*cking care less about all of these "global" groups so free them i beg

- Can hybe stop using 875 name to promote their other groups cz like... you're making this new group alright but you did NOT make bts stop taking credits lmaoo.. also do they not learn from the past mistakes

- Hybe, you will never have next BTS. Like, for once, promote groups without including BTS everywhere