Top-charting group GFriend is preparing to make their first foray into the Japanese market.
Source Music's CEO confirmed with Korean news outlet Sports Joseon about the group's entrance in other Asian markets.
"We have been meeting with local agencies in Japan ever since last year to feel out the market," the CEO said. "On the other hand, we are planning to enter China more cautiously than we will in Japan."
Although the CEO is preparing for a debut in Japan, he will not simply sign GFriend off to the company that offers the most money.
"We are currently in talks with five different agencies in Japan. Our primary criteria is how much the company can spend on the group, rather than how much we can earn from the contract," he added.
GFriend first attempted to enter the Japanese market at the end of 2015, but were unable to find a suitable agency to help them promote there.
"We are definitely going to make a Japanese debut within 2016," the Source Music CEO said firmly. "There is a high possibility that GFriend will make their debut in Japan after releasing a new song in Korea this summer."
Girlfriend is currently in their second year of promoting, after debuting in Jan. 2015. The group won 15 trophies on live music shows with their latest comeback with "Rough," which was released in January.