For talented K-pop hopefuls looking for their opportunity to become the next Girls’ Generation, BoA, TVXQ or EXO, the wait is over. The nation’s biggest entertainment agency SM Entertainment has launched its annual global talent search starting today in Jakarta, Indonesia.

This year’s “2014 S.M. Global Audition” is being held for the first time in Indonesia for four days and has already attracted more than 20,000 applicants. The global auditions will continue until May 25, stopping at 18 cities in seven countries ― Korea, China, Japan, the U.S., Canada, Thailand and Indonesia.

The scale of this year’s global auditions has been expanded from previous years, adding Indonesia and Canada (Vancouver and Toronto) to the list of countries that will host auditions. 

Past S.M. Global Auditions had unearthed the likings of Super Junior-M’s Henry, f(x)’s Amber, EXO’s Chris and other popular stars at the mega talent agency. However, the auditions are not limited to singing and dancing.

SM scouts are looking for a wide range of talent, including actors, models, comedians and even those who can write and compose music.

SM Entertainment’s global talent search will conclude in Korea with auditions in Seoul, Gwangju and Busan. The Seoul try-outs will be held on May 17 and 18 at the COEX Artium in Samseong-dong. For more information about audition applications and schedules, visit www.smtown.com.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)