When it comes to Korean television, it's not always about the K-dramas. There's so much to explore especially competition K-Pop survival shows. Becoming an idol takes hard work, grueling hours, and proving your worth, so many Korean entertainment agencies have developed 'survival shows.'
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Here's a look at the biggest names in K-pop that come from reality shows.
YG Treasure Box was a survival show that debuted in 2019 and was created by YG Entertainment. The trainees were split into different groups, each member with their own skillset, from rapping and dancing to singing. As elimination went on, one trainee was picked from each category. In the end, 12 trainees became the chosen idols of TREASURE.
The I-Land took reality/survival shows to new heights. The show started with a total of 23 trainee male contestants who had to prove their talent to debut as part of the final K-Pop group. The contests spilt into 2 complexes, Iland and Ground, had to pass a series of challenges to showcase their talents. The final winner was the group, Enhypen.
Produce 48 set out to create a girl group out of 96 contestants from South Korea and Japan. Audiences were not only responsible for picking the best performances and trainees, but everything else. The public voted and decide on the group's concept, debut single, and name. 12 contestants made it to the finale and debuted as the group Iz*One. However, in 2021, the group officially disbanded.
Stray Kids was a reality show by JYP Entertainment. Instead of focusing on individuals, the male trainees had to survive as a group to debut. They needed to compose their own songs, complete with vocals, choreography, and rap to show to the judges. And as the name suggests, the winners went on to form the group Stray Kids.
Produce 101 was a one-season survival show with 101 contestants from 46 entertainment companies, that had to be narrowed down to the final 11. Audiences liked the show, as they decided the group's concept, debut single, and name. The final winners debuted as the group I.O.I, but they would disband in 2017. Fans can recall the hit solo artists, ChungHa and Somi, as group members, as well as K-drama actor, Kim Se-Jeong.