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| Contenders of the upcoming audition program "THE ORIGIN ― A, B or What?" / Courtesy of IST Entertainment |
By Dong Sun-hwa
The stellar success of K-pop groups created through audition programs ― such as Kep1er and ENHYPEN ― is prompting the launch of similar shows. Since talent search shows can help singers establish solid fan bases from the beginning of their careers, more entertainment companies are planning to produce them in 2022 to jump on the bandwagon.
Kakao Entertainment and Japan's Sony Music Solutions are set to premiere "THE ORIGIN ― A, B or What?" on cable channel MBN, Feb. 26. It is a survival show featuring 13 male idol trainees at IST Entertainment, which represents K-pop acts like Apink, The Boyz and VICTON. The contenders will vie against one another to join a new 13-member group that will debut later this year. Those who receive the most votes from viewers with their performances will make their debut, but those who fail to do so will continue their training at IST.
"The upcoming program will be able to create a new paradigm in the K-pop industry," MBN said. "The judges and the viewers will play 'This or That' game to single out more talented contenders."
"THE ORIGIN" is already attracting attention, with a video featuring a performance of 13 participants surpassing 10 million views on YouTube as of Friday.
Kim Sung-kyu of K-pop act INFINITE, Minzy, a former member of now-disbanded girl group 2NE1, and JAY B of boy band GOT7 will appear as the judges, along with acclaimed dance crew Just Jerk. TV personality Park Sun-young will be an emcee.
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| K-pop boy band ENHYPEN / Courtesy of Belift Lab |
Cable channel Mnet, which has produced a myriad of hit audition programs such as the "Produce 101" series, is slated to air the second season of "I-LAND" this year in cooperation with Belift Lab, a joint venture founded by Mnet's operator CJ ENM and HYBE, the agency of K-pop phenomenon BTS.
The first season of "I-LAND" ― which was also produced by Mnet and Belift Lab in 2020 ― gave birth to ENHYPEN, one of the most popular rookie groups consisting of Heeseung, Jay, Sunghoon, Jake, Sunoo, Jungwon and Ni-ki. The seven-piece act sold more than 500,000 copies of its latest album "DIMENSION : ANSWER" in the first week of its release. According to Mnet, the second season of "I-LAND" will audition aspiring female singers to create a new girl group.
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| K-pop girl group Kep1er / Courtesy of Wake One Entertainment, Swing Entertainment |
The channel is also poised to release "Boys Planet," a sequel to last year's "Girls Planet 999" that brought girl group Kep1er to life. As its title suggests, it will feature a competition among male singer hopefuls.
Kep1er took the No. 1 spot on a Korean music show with its debut track "Wa Da Da," only 11 days after its debut. The act is made up of nine members ― Yujin, Mashiro, Xiaoting, Chaehyun, Dayeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih, Youngeun and Yeseo.
"This year, we will showcase more quality content for fans of Korean culture," a CJ ENM official said.
