A major entertainment agency and an education firm that operates academies have joined hands to build an international K-pop school with an aim to open early next year.

SM Entertainment and Haneul Education on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding(MOU) on the envisioned so-called 'K-pop international school' in Seoul's Gangnam district.

The school, which will be structured as an informal alternative schooling institution, will select those aspiring to enter the entertainment world from home and abroad and offer classes on main subjects such as the Korean language, English and math as well as music and dance.

Between 300 and 400 or 70 percent of the total admitted students will be foreign nationals studying in South Korea. Would-be entertainers among South Korean youths will make up the remaining 30 percent.

SM Entertainment will be in charge of arts training such including music and dance while Haneul Education will oversee the students' academic curricula of Korean, English and math subjects.

The two firms said though the facility starts out as an unauthorized alternative school, they will seek to obtain status as an official international school down the road.