What is K-pop? K-pop, also known as Korean popular music, is a well-liked musical subgenre with its roots in South Korea. Hip-hop, electronic dance, jazz, and rock are just a few musical genres that may be heard in K-pop songs, often performed by ensembles with four to 21 people. K-pop is also a global phenomenon that has taken up the world with its unique pop music and beautiful choreographies. Don’t miss out on such nerve-wracking and fantastic K-pop survival shows!
For your information, this cut-throat entertainment industry has many companies competing against each other to become renowned agencies in the world, not to mention their idol groups. People can see how intense the competitions are just to enter the world of K-pop. Hence, we are here to provide you with a list of the 8 Best K-Pop Survival Shows to Watch.
What Should You Know About K-Pop Survival Show?
Never have ever watched a K-pop survival show? Before you get into the real world of K-pop survival shows, there are 3 things that you should know; Reality, Voting, and Ranking.
- Reality
You have to bear in mind that sometimes there is drama going around the situation in this so-called survival show. You might not know this, but even though the survival show is a reality program, you cannot truly believe everything that happens is as it is.
- Voting
The most exciting part of a K-pop survival show is its voting system. You will be given opportunities from time to time to vote for your favorite contestants; thus, this will help increase the chance of the contestant to debut after the show ends.
- Ranking
Each K-pop survival show will always be evaluated by the judges, who usually represent producers, choreographers, CEOs, vocal teachers, etc. Different categories will be evaluated by the respective professionals.
8 Best K-Pop Survival Shows You Can Watch 2023
1. Stray Kids (2017)
Directed by: Park Jin-Young (producer)
Starring: Hyunjin, Bang Chan, Felix, I.N, Changbin, Han, Lee Know, J.Y. Park, Jinyoung Park, Kim Woojin, Seungmin
Release date: Oct 17, 2017
Genre: Music, Reality TV
Synopsis: A fresh trainee group will have to accomplish numerous assignments assigned by JYPE to prove their aptitude and teamwork to make their debut on the survival show Stray Kids. 9 members were to debut from this survival show.
2. The I-Land (2020)
Directed by: Bang Si-Hyuk (Executive producer)
Starring: Kim Sunoo, Nishimura Riki, Jake (Sim Jaehyun), Jay (Park Jongseong), Park Sunghoon, Lee Heeseung, Yang Jungwon, and many more.
Release date: June 26, 2020
Genre: Survival show, Reality television
Synopsis: Created by Belift Lab, the show finally aired on June 26, 2020, after a long wait since half of 2019. The trainees and contestants were picked from a global audition through online communities as the pandemic breakout. 7 members from I-LAND are to debut after the end of the selection.
3. Street Woman Fighter
Directed by: CJ ENM
Starring: Kang Daniel, Holy Bang, Taeyong NCT, CocaNButter, LACHICA, WANT
Release date: August 24, 2021
Genre: Dance, Survival show
Synopsis: Street Woman Fighter, also known as SFW, was aired on August 24, 2021, and premiered every Tuesday at 10.20 KST on MNet. Eight female dance crews competed to be the finest female dance crew in Korea and represent K-Dance in the competition. This show won a Baeksang Arts Award for Best TV Entertainment Program.
4. Kingdom: Legendary War
Directed by: N/A
Starring: BTOB, iKON, SF9, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, The Boyz
Release date: April 1, 2021
Genre: Reality, Survival
Synopsis: Kingdom: Legendary War is a survival show that features all-debuted groups in the K-pop industry to compete on their professionalism in their music career as dancers, singers, etc. The show was hosted by Shim Chang Min and U-Know (Ep. 1 – 3). Shindong and Donghae of Super Junior, producer and CEO of BNM Rhymer, idol hitmaker Shinsadong Tiger, music critic Kim Youngdae, production company MonoTree, choreographer Lia Kim, and members of the idol groups BDC, Weekly, Tri. be, and Mirae are among the special judges.
5. YG Treasure Box
Directed by: (Produced by) YG Entertainment
Starring: Bang Yedam, Yoshi, Junkyu, Choi Hyun Suk, Kotaro, Jihoon, Jyunhao, Yoshinori, Asahi, Seokhwa, Yoonbin, Mashiho, Mahiro, and many more.
Release date: November 16, 2018
Genre: Survival show
Synopsis: As 12 members were to debut in this survival program, YG Treasure Box has picked 29 male contestants to determine YG’s future boy group TREASURE. The show was broadcasted on JTBC 2 channel. Witness the heated dance, vocal, and rap battle of those 29 contestants in these 10 episodes of YG Treasure Box.
6. Produce X 101 (2019)
Directed by: Kim Yong-Bum (Executive producer)
Starring: Lee Dong Wook and the other 29 contestants.
Release date: May 3, 2019
Genre: Reality television
Synopsis: Produce X 101, the fourth season of the Produce 101 franchise, is a 2019 South Korean boy band survival reality show on Mnet. 101 trainees from different entertainment agencies are brought together to compete in this show, and the final members will be selected by votes to form a boy group. The most important above all is the show was presented by a hot star actor Lee Dong Wook.
7. Produce 101 (2016)
Directed by: An Joon Young
Starring: Jang Geun Suk, Park Ga Hee, Cheetah, Ray Yang, Bay Yoon Jung, JeA, Chung Ha, Kim Sejeong, Kang Mina, Jeon Somi, Luri, Kim Na Young, and many more.
Release date: January 22, 2016
Genre: Survival show
Synopsis: Female contestants from all over the nation and different companies both inside and outside of the country meet in one location, sharing the same dream – joining an idol band. 11 trainees will be chosen from the 101 trainees to form a unit girl group. The decision-making and voting power rest with the audience.
8. MixNine (2017-2018)
Directed by: Han Dong Chul (producer)
Starring: 170 contestants
Release date: October 29, 2017
Genre: Music, Survival show
Synopsis: MixNine is a reality survival show with mixed female and male contestants. All 170 participants (72 males and 98 females) have joined the program. Moreover, Yang Hyun-suk, a well-known K-POP idol producer, visits various young performers across the nation to meet those who aspire to be K-POP idol stars. Throughout this program, he assists them in moving closer to their goal.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
