2024 has been a year of several popular K-pop survival shows. After a successful first half, South Korean network Mnet has teased the arrival of two exciting new series in the genre.
The rise of K-pop reality survival shows started a decade ago. Fans have witnessed many idols rise to fame in the last ten years after appearing in K-pop survival shows. Billboard 200 charter act Stray Kids debuted through the same.
Mnet’s show, Produce 101, single-handedly introduced many famous idols to the music scene, including Jeon Somi, Ong Seung Wu, Park Ji Hoon, and more. So, let’s look at some of the most popular K-pop survival shows of 2024, which introduced the new generation of idols.
Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survivor
Mnet’s Build Up: Vocal Boy Group Survivor aired from January to March and became extremely popular among K-pop fans for highlighting the vocal prowess of rookie idols. The show’s lineup consisted of popular contestants like Pentagon Yeo One, One Pact star Jay Chang, and Just B member Bain.
At the finale, four members emerged as the winners, including Bitsaeon, Seunghun, Jay Chang, and Kim Seo, who created the group B.D.U. The group introduced itself to the listeners with the EP Wishpool.
I-LAND 2: N/a
Another highly anticipated survival show that took over the Internet is Mnet’s I-Land 2: N/a. The show collaborated with YG’s sub-label, The Black Label and Mnet. 24 contestants participated in the show, and seven rookies emerged as the winners.
The winning lineup of I-Land 2:N/a featured Jungeun, Jeemin, Jiyoon, Koko, Sarang, Mai, and Saebi. The septet formed the new group IZNA which refers to anytime, anywhere, anything. IZNA is likely to debut at the latter half of 2024. Meanwhile fans who missed the show, can still watch all episodes of I-Land 2: N/a on Rakuten Viki.
Make Mate1
KBS’ reality survival show Make Mate 1 became popular as it invited rookies from different personalities. 36 trainees made it to the initial lineup who competed to get their chances to debut team.
Noh Gihyeon, Jeon Junpyo, Jang Hyunjun, Han Yuseop, Lin, Bing Fan, and Miraku became the top scorer at the finale. The septet made the new group, NouerA. As per the network, NouerA signifies a music band which has no boundaries who can act boldly. “Nouer” refers “to tie together,” and “erA” stands for era. So NouerA signifies the group will connect eras through their music.
Road To Kingdom 2
Mnet’s Road To Kingdom will return with a new season. Road To Kingdom season 2 confirmed its lineup which includes several top K-pop male groups. The performers’ lineup consists THE NEW SIX, The Crew One (ATBO and JUST B), 8TURN, ONEUS, YOUNITE, CRAVITY and TEMPEST.
SHINee Taemin will reportedly host the show. As per Mnet, Road To Kingdom 2 will premiere in September. Before the show airs, Mnet held an initial pre-voting session where fans could show support for the ‘Ace’ candidates.
Stage Fighter
Mnet’s Street Fighter Dance reality series became immensely popular among K-pop fans who enjoy various styles of dance. The Street Fighter series included the male, female and teen renditions where popular dance groups fought for their place.
The new sequel to Street Fighter will also air in the upcoming days of 2024. Mnet has teased the name of the new show as “Stage Fighter.” In the forthcoming survival reality show, male dancers from ballet, contemporary dance, and Korean traditional dance genres will go head to head to fight for their place in the show.
Producing directors including Kwon Young Chan and Choi Jung Nam who previously worked in Street Woman Fighter, Street Man Fighter, and Street Woman Fighter 2 will be back to Mnet for the new show.
Apart from the abovementioned list, some more survival shows which will air in the last half of 2024 include Universe League and Project 7.
