With idol audition programs becoming established as a genre of ‘K-content’, the ‘audition groups’ formed through related programs are expected to continue their dominance this year.

In particular, with the final members recently formed through SBS ‘Universe League’, JTBC ‘Project 7’, etc. set to debut simultaneously in the first half of the year, the atmosphere of a competition between these groups on the K-pop stage has already been formed.

The nine-member boy group AHOF formed through ‘Universe League’, which ended on the 24th of last month, is in the final stages of reorganization. On the 5th, the agency F&F Entertainment said, “We have completed a meeting with all of the members of the debut group. The members revealed, “After a short break, we will begin full-scale preparations with the goal of debuting in the first half of the year.”

Nine is filled with contestants who stood out on the show for the past two months, including Cha Woong-ki from group T.O.ONE, solo singer Zhang Shuaibo, Steven from Luminous, and J.L from the Philippine group Plus. The group name is an abbreviation for ‘All-time Hall Of Famer, revealing “the members’ bold ambition to be inducted into the K-pop Hall of Fame.”

‘Universe League’ that introduced them to the world is season 2 of ‘Universe Ticket’ which aired last year and created the girl group Eunice. Production of season 2 was confirmed as Eunice was active in Asia and other places with the program.

Based on the solid recognition from ‘Universe League’, which received 12.7 million votes from over 200 countries in the final fan vote, A9 plans to be active not only in Korea but also overseas immediately after their debut.

The seven-member boy group Close Your Eyes of ‘Project 7’ is scheduled to make their official debut in April. The group consists of Ma Jinxiang, who took first place, Jeon Minwook from BAE173, and Jang Yeojun who went on to appear in ‘Extreme Debut Wild Idol’.

Their agency, Uncore, is in conflict with BAE173‘s agency over Jeon Minwook’s exclusive contract, but the group‘s debut preparations are in the final stages. Recently, creative director Lee Hae-in, who was a singer and made the hit girl group Kiss of Life, was brought in as the executive producer.

In addition, Mnet, which is known as the ‘Audition powerhouse’, recently started recruiting participants for ‘Boyz 2 Planet’. The program, which will be broadcast in the second half of the year, is the successor to ‘Boyz Planet’ in 2023.

As Season 1’s Zero Base One became a global star by becoming a ‘Million Seller’ for four consecutive years, interest in Season 2 is also growing domestically and internationally. Thanks to this, it is known that applicants from 105 countries and regions have already flocked.


Reporter Yoo Ji-hye yjh0304@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.