Hybe india scouting
Something I think a lot of people aren't understanding is that even if someone is scouted online, they still have to audition like everyone else.
People that are contacted by casting agencies simply already have "the look" that they are looking for as the visual representation of groups in kpop is valued.
Does this give them a better chance? Maybe. Visually, they are passing the screening.
Does this guarantee that they will advance?
Definitely not. If they don't have training potential or that "star quality" they might not advance.
For example, both manon and lara (who were casted) were contacted ASKING them to audition.
Both girls still went through the normal auditioning process. In the DA documentary they even include manons reaction to bring accepted into DA.
A girl that is casted on social media would've passed the screening regardless of how she entered the audition pool.
At the end of the day, this process is very hush and no one outside of the casting team knows what exactly they are looking for.
There are multiple different criteria that needs to be met for a girl to be accepted, just because someone is pretty or talented won't guarantee advancement, that is just the reality of the industry.
Goodluck to those who auditioned!