Great M Entertainment will launch a new boy band named 82Major within this year, the K-pop agency announced Wednesday.

The name combines the number 82, Korea's international calling code, and the word "major," reflecting the group's aspiration to become a major K-pop act.

Members of 82Major have been sharing their self-written songs, dance covers and challenge videos through a project titled Rare House under Great M Entertainment. Their pre-debut content has been shared through YouTube and TikTok.

Great M was founded in 2020 by Kim Young-sun, one of the founders of FNC Entertainment, who took part in producing groups like FTIsland, CNBlue, AOA, N.Flying, SF9 and Cherry Bullet.

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]