There are other aspects of Korean television besides K-dramas. There is much to discover, from popular reality/variety shows to K-Pop survival competitions. What exactly are K-Pop reality shows? Consider this television genre similar to Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice, but with considerably greater stakes. K-Pop rules the Korean entertainment industry and is well-liked all around the world. Being an idol requires long hours of effort and demonstrating your value, which is why numerous Korean entertainment companies have created "survival programs." On these shows, aspirants undergo training and a battery of exams to determine their suitability for making their K-Pop group or solo debut.
1. YG Treasure Box
The YG Entertainment-produced survival show YG Treasure Box made its premiere in 2019. Fans of K-Pop are well aware that one of South Korea's premier agencies, YG Entertainment, is credited with discovering the K-Pop sensation Yang Hyung-Suk in 1996.To determine who would make their K-Pop debut with the new group, TREASURE, the 2019 show put 29 eager male trainees to the test. The trainees were divided into various groups, each with members who could sing, dance, or rap. One trainee was chosen from each category as the process of elimination continued. Ultimately, TREASURE's chosen idols were 12 trainees.
2. MixNine
Another reality survival program produced by YG Entertainment was MixNine. Yang Hyun-Suk, who had just one season, toured South Korea in search of fresh recruits. One hundred seventy trainees—including male and female groups—were chosen by Hyun-Suk and guest judges, who would then put them through various training programs. Teams of trainees were formed, and challenges were presented for Hyun-Suk and the other chief judges to evaluate. The fact that several well-known artists were invited in to supervise and instruct the trainees based on their known talents, such as rapping or dancing, was a fun component of the program. The male and female teams compete to see who will make their K-Pop group debut.
3. Idol Rebooting Project: The Unit
Idol Rebooting Project: The Unit's title offers viewers a clear indication of what to expect from the survival show. The series’ purpose was to give already-established idols a second chance at success. Two groups, one male and one female, each with nine members, would be formed by the show. Even if these participants are already idols, they still need to prove themselves and demonstrate abilities they might not have previously had the chance to do. As the competition progresses, audience members vote on candidates' performances, and based on how many votes they obtain, they are awarded "Boots." They are admitted automatically to the show if they receive a "Super Boot." If they don't, the judges decide if they can join or not.
4. The I-Land
The I-Land raised the bar for reality and survival shows. To qualify to debut as a member of the winning K-Pop group, the show's initial batch of 23 trainee male contestants had to demonstrate their talent. The contestants on this program, however, were confined to an isolated compound in the woods for 113 days, which gave it a unique and entertaining concept that set it apart from previous programs. "The I-Land" complex is a luxurious housing area with studios, gyms, and other amenities. Only 12 candidates are allowed to live in the facility; everyone else must live on the "Ground," which is a far more basic and unimpressive place to live. The contestants from both complexes must complete a series of tasks to demonstrate their skills and choose who advances to the I-Land and who is banished to the Ground. The team Enhypen came out on top in the end.
5. Road To Kingdom
The reality/survival show Road to Kingdom served as a follow-up, but with male trainees. Similar to its forerunner and other shows in style, to determine whether male trainees are deserving of becoming idols, they are recruited and given a test and make their K-Pop group debut. Seven groups of trainees were formed, most of them unknown to the general public. The groups would receive tasks and chances to perform for the judges and audience each week. The groups that finished their performances with the lowest overall score are required to depart the show. The ultimate goal was for one team to win a position on the follow-up program, Kingdom.
6. Kingdom: Legendary War
In the follow-up to Road to Kingdom, Kingdom: Legendary War, the selected teams must once more contend for the grand prize. K-Pop groups like The Boys, Stray Kids, and Ateez were among those who were successful in winning their spots and moving on to the next round. Six K-Pop bands compete in four rounds of performances in the game Kingdom: Legendary War. The victor is decided in the last round. Because the contestants are already well-known celebrities, the victor gets both a special reality program and a "Kingdom Week" special show.
7. Produce 48
The third season of the popular survival series Produce 101 was titled Produce 48. This season's winner was decided by a variety of methods. Out of 96 contestants from South Korea and Japan, the competition show set out to form a girl group. The greatest trainees and performances were chosen by audiences, but everything else was up to them. The group's name, the first song, and the concept were all chosen by public vote. Twelve participants advanced to the finals and made their public debut as Iz*One. However, the organization was formally dissolved in 2021.
8. Queendom
Queendom is being billed as a comeback showdown between some of Korea's best-known female K-Pop groups. The show's goal was to identify which group was the best by simultaneously releasing each group's new single. The participants competed in three stages: three preliminary acts, virtual scores from the comeback single, and a live return performance. To gain an advantage over the competition, the groups had to depend significantly on their three preliminary performances. In the end, Mammamoo won first place and released their tenth mini-album, Travel.
9. Stray Kids
JYP Entertainment produced the survival/reality program Stray Kids. At first, it was thought that the premiere of the renowned band Twice was connected to a new episode of another survival show, Sixteen. The new program would, however, stray from the old model and concentrate on male recruits. The male trainees had to persevere as a group to make their debuts rather than concentrating on individuals. To perform for the judges, they had to write their songs, including vocals, dance moves, and rap. They would receive individual and team scores from the judges. Viewers also got a glimpse into the groups' daily lives through the program.
10. Produce 101
The one-season survival program Produce 101 paved the way for additional franchise releases. The competition had a large initial field of 101 competitors from 46 entertainment organizations, which had to be reduced to the top 11. Because there were no judges and the contestant's future depended only on viewer voting, viewers appreciated the program. The concept, lead single, and group names were all chosen by the general population. The program's main goal was to become the next girl group, and it featured well-known musicians who served as mentors. The group I.O.I, the final winners' would split up in 2017. The popular solo musicians ChungHa and Somi, as well as Kim Se-Jeong, the star of the K-drama The Uncanny Counter, were all group members in the past.
