K-pop survival shows have become a cornerstone in the evolution of the Korean music industry, serving both as a launchpad for aspiring idols and a source of entertainment for fans worldwide. These programmes offer an unfiltered glimpse into the rigorous training and intense competition that trainees undergo in pursuit of their dreams. Beyond the drama and high-stakes eliminations, these survival shows have also led to the creation of some of the most successful and influential K-pop groups to date.
From the early days of YG Entertainment’s WIN: Who is Next (2013) and Mix & Match (2014), which introduced the world to WINNER and iKON, to JYP Entertainment’s SIXTEEN (2015), the birthplace of the powerhouse girl group TWICE, these shows have consistently delivered top-tier talent.
Mnet’s Produce 101 (2016-17) and Produce 48 (2018) series further revolutionised the genre by involving the public in the selection process, leading to the formation of chart-topping groups such as Wanna One and IZ*ONE, respectively. More recently, innovative formats like I-LAND (2020) and Boys Planet (2023) have pushed the boundaries of the survival show concept, giving rise to global sensations such as ENHYPEN and ZEROBASEONE.
What sets these groups formed through survival shows apart is not just their talent, but their resilience and the deep connection they have forged with fans who have been part of their journey.
In this feature, we delve into 14 of the most compelling K-pop survival shows that have not only entertained audiences but also served as the crucible for some of the industry’s most successful bands. Whether you’re a seasoned K-pop aficionado or a newcomer eager to understand the phenomenon, this list offers a comprehensive look at the shows that have left an indelible mark on the K-pop landscape.
These K-pop survival shows have produced some of the most famous groups we know
This story first appeared here.
1 /14
Release date: 23 August 2013
No. of episodes: 11
K-pop group produced: WINNER
WIN: Who is Next drew fans into the world of YG Entertainment trainees, dividing them into two teams: TEAM A (comprising Song Min-ho, Kim Jin-woo, Kang Seung-yoon, Lee Seung-hoon, and Nam Tae-hyun) and TEAM B (featuring Kim Han-bin [B.I], Kim Ji-won [Bobby], Kim Jin-hwan, Koo Jun-hoe, Kim Dong-hyuk, and later Jung Chan-woo). Each week, the trainees were tested not only on their dancing, singing, rapping, stage presence, and teamwork skills but also on their emotional resilience. The show candidly revealed their personal struggles and aspirations.
Ultimately, TEAM A emerged victorious and debuted as WINNER in 2014. Their debut was a major success — 2014 S/S, their first album, topped multiple South Korean charts and received international recognition, establishing them as one of the most successful K-pop debuts at the time.
By March 2019, WINNER had set the record as the fastest Korean act to top Billboard’s World Albums Chart. However, the group faced a significant change in 2016 when Nam Tae-hyun departed due to mental health challenges.
2 /14
Release date: 11 September 2014
No. of episodes: 9
K-pop group produced: iKON
The series chronicled the aftermath of Team B’s loss in YG Entertainment’s earlier survival programme, WIN: Who Is Next. While three members of the original Team B — B.I, Bobby, and Kim Jin-hwan — had already been confirmed as part of the upcoming group, iKON, the rest had to compete with three new trainees — Jung Chan-woo, Jung Jin-hyeong, and Yang Hong-seok. The confirmed trio served as mentors and role models for the rest.
In November 2014, the final seven members of iKON were announced: Koo Jun-hoe, Song Yun-hyeong, Kim Dong-hyuk, and Jung Chan-woo joined the confirmed trio, completing the group’s line-up. iKON went on to achieve massive success with hits such as “My Type”, “Rhythm Ta”, and the chart-topping “Love Scenario”.
Also read: Popular songs by Kim Han-bin (B.I) for a K-pop playlist that’s “To Die For”
3 /14
Release date: 10 December 2014
No. of episodes: 10
K-pop group produced: MONSTA X
NO.MERCY brought together 13 talented yet fiercely determined trainees, each competing for a place in a yet-to-be-named idol group. The trainees were pushed to their limits — facing vocal and rap battles, group choreography challenges, collaborations with established artists, and deeply personal interviews that revealed their artistic ambition and vulnerability.
In the end, seven final members — Son Hyun-woo (Shownu), Lee Ho-seok (Wonho), Lee Min-hyuk, Yoo Ki-hyun, Chae Hyung-won, Lee Joo-heon (Joohoney), and Im Chang-kyun (I.M) — emerged victorious, forming MONSTA X.
Their debut in May 2015 with the EP Trespass introduced a bold, hard-hitting sound that would become their trademark. Since then, MONSTA X has reached significant milestones, with four Japanese singles certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). However, Wonho exited the group in October 2019.
4 /14
Release date: 5 May 2015
No. of episodes: 10
K-pop group produced: TWICE
SIXTEEN was a bold survival reality show that laid the foundation for one of K-pop’s most beloved girl groups. The show brought together 16 female trainees — each brimming with talent, determination, and dreams of stardom — competing for a coveted spot in JYP’s next major girl group.
The finale saw nine girls — Im Na-yeon, Yoo Jeong-yeon, Hirai Momo (initially eliminated but reinstated for her passion), Minatozaki Sana, Park Ji-hyo, Myoui Mina, Kim Da-hyun, Son Chae-young, and Chou Tzuyu (added based on audience vote) — form the now-legendary TWICE.
TWICE rose to fame with viral hits such as “Cheer Up” and “TT”. They became the first Korean girl group to top both Billboard’s World Albums and World Digital Song Sales charts, and in 2024, they made history by reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with With YOU-th. Today, TWICE boasts a global fanbase and has sold over 14 million albums across South Korea and Japan.
Also read: TWICE’s members net worth revealed
5 /14
Release date: 7 April 2017
No. of episodes: 11
K-pop group produced: Wanna One
Produce 101 season 2 invited 101 young men, ranging from raw trainees to already-debuted idols, to compete for a chance to debut in the first boy group produced by the public. Through intensive vocal, rap, and dance challenges led by industry veterans such as Lee Seok-hoon, Cheetah, and Kahi, the contestants faced multiple elimination rounds, with their fate entirely in the hands of the audience, referred to as “national producers”.
By the live finale, over 16 million votes had been cast, representing approximately 30 per cent of South Korea’s population. The final 11 members of Wanna One were revealed: Kang Daniel, Park Ji-hoon, Lee Dae-hwi, Kim Jae-hwan, Ong Seong-wu, Park Woo-jin, Lai Kuan-lin, Yoon Ji-seong, Hwang Min-hyun, Bae Jin-young, and Ha Sung-woon.
In their first year, they were ranked second in Ilgan Sports’ “30 Power People” list for their influence over broadcasters and advertisers and secured sixth place in Gallup Korea’s “Top 10 Artists” poll. Forbes Korea placed them second on its 2018 Power Celebrity list, followed by third place in 2019. Even after their official disbandment on 31 December 2018, the members have continued to shape the industry as actors, solo artists, and entertainers.
6 /14
Release date: 17 October 2017
No. of episodes: 10
K-pop group produced: Stray Kids
Unlike typical survival formats in which individual contestants compete for a spot in a debut group, Stray Kids subverted expectations by presenting a pre-selected team of nine trainees working collaboratively toward a group debut. The series documented their creative process, original songwriting, and collective growth, offering fans an intimate glimpse into the members’ struggles and development.
This journey ultimately culminated in the official debut of Stray Kids in March 2018 with nine members. However, in October 2019, Woojin withdrew from the group due to undisclosed “personal reasons”.
Stray Kids’ discography includes several chart-topping albums, notably, Go Live (their first platinum-certified release), Noeasy (their first million-seller), and a record-breaking streak of six consecutive albums — Oddinary, Maxident, Rock-Star, ATE, 5-Star, and Hop — each debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 upon their release.
7 /14
Release date: 15 June 2018
No. of episodes: 12
K-pop group produced: IZ*ONE
Among the many K-pop survival programmes that have shaped the modern idol industry, Produce 48 stands out for its ambitious scope and cross-cultural collaboration. The show brought together 96 contestants from both South Korea and Japan, marking a unique partnership between Mnet’s Produce 101 series and the Japanese idol group AKB48.
Unlike previous seasons, Produce 48 adopted a more globalised approach to idol formation, while still allowing only South Korean viewers to determine the final line-up through live voting. The programme culminated in the formation of a 12-member girl group named IZ*ONE, composed of both Korean and Japanese members.
Following their official debut on 29 October 2018 with the extended play ColorIz* and its lead single “La Vie en Rose”, IZ*ONE quickly rose to prominence. They swiftly garnered recognition, receiving “New Artist of the Year” awards at major ceremonies such as the Golden Disc Awards and the Seoul Music Awards in 2018.
Though the group officially disbanded on 29 April 2021, IZ*ONE’s individual members — Kwon Eun-bi, Miyawaki Sakura, Jo Yu-ri, Choi Ye-na, Ahn Yu-jin, and Jang Won-young — have continued to thrive in the entertainment industry as solo artists or members of new groups.
8 /14
Release date: 18 January 2019
No. of episodes: 10
K-pop group produced: TREASURE
YG Treasure Box featured 29 male trainees, divided into four groups — A, B, C, and J (comprising Japanese trainees) — all vying for a coveted position in YG Entertainment’s next major boy group. Trainees such as Choi Hyun-suk, Bang Ye-dam, Watanabe Haruto, and Hamada Asahi demonstrated both raw talent and significant growth, while the show’s format emphasised individual star power alongside cohesive group dynamics.
The culmination of YG Treasure Box was the debut of TREASURE, a multinational 12-member group. Following a line-up restructuring and a brief hiatus, TREASURE debuted in August 2020 with their single album The First Step: Chapter One. In 2020, they were named one of Forbes Korea’s Power Celebrity 40 (Rising Star), alongside breakout acts aespa and STAYC.
Despite the departure of members Mashiho and Bang Ye-dam in 2022, TREASURE continues to build upon its strong foundation.
9 /14
Release date: 26 June 2020
No. of episodes: 12
K-pop group produced: ENHYPEN
I-LAND stands out for blending high-stakes competition with a fresh format. The series elevated the traditional trainee survival concept through a dual voting system. Initially, both producers and trainees participated in the voting process, which later transitioned to a combination of audience and producer votes.
The show’s distinctive setting, a futuristic and high-tech complex known as the I-LAND, accommodated 23 talented trainees. Across 113 intense days, they competed in demanding performances, undertook various challenges, and underwent continuous evaluations. The entire journey was captured in real-time through Big Brother-style surveillance, adding a layer of immersive realism.
The ultimate reward was the debut of ENHYPEN, a seven-member boy group that emerged victorious on 18 September 2020. Comprising Yang Jung-won, Jay (Park Jong-seong), Jake (Sim Jae-yun), Ni-Ki (Nishimura Riki), Lee Hee-seung, Park Sung-hoon, and Kim Sun-oo, ENHYPEN swiftly rose to international stardom following their official debut with the EP Border: Day One on 30 November 2020.
10 /14
Release date: 6 August 2021
No. of episodes: 12
K-pop group produced: Kep1er
Girls Planet 999 brought together 99 contestants from South Korea (K-Group), China (C-Group), and Japan (J-Group), selected from an overwhelming pool of over 13,000 applicants. The show’s distinctive format — including its planetary voting system and multicultural structure — reflected the growing globalisation of K-pop. By the live finale on 22 October 2021, nine talented individuals emerged to form the multinational girl group Kep1er.
Kep1er, composed of Kim Chae-hyun, Huening Bahiyyih, Choi Yu-jin, Kim Da-yeon, Seo Young-eun, Ezaki Hikaru, and Shen Xiaoting, officially debuted on 3 January 2022 under WakeOne and Swing Entertainment. Their debut extended play, First Impact, was a commercial success, selling nearly 400,000 copies and topping the Gaon Album Chart.
The group’s rapid rise was recognised with accolades such as “New Wave of the Year” at both the Asia Artist Awards and the Seoul Music Awards in 2022.
11 /14
Release date: 30 June 2023
No. of episodes: 10
K-pop group produced: ILLIT
R U Next? featured 22 trainees competing across seven intense rounds of challenges, each designed to secure a coveted spot in the debut line-up. Hosted by Choi Soo-young of Girls’ Generation, and introduced with a signal song performed by beloved star Bae Suzy, R U Next? combined high-quality production with emotionally resonant storytelling.
The finale of the show culminated in the debut of ILLIT, initially announced as a six-member group. However, following the departure of Nam Yu-seo (Youngseo), the final line-up was reshaped into five members: Lee Yun-ha (Yunah), Park Min-ju (Minju), Sakai Moka, Kim Won-hee (Wonhee), and Ishiwatari Iroha.
ILLIT made an explosive entry into the industry with their debut extended play, Super Real Me, released on 25 March 2024. The lead single, “Magnetic”, achieved remarkable success, charting on the Billboard Hot 100, making ILLIT the fastest K-pop act to do so.
12 /14
Release date: 2 February 2023
No. of episodes: 12
K-pop group produced: ZEROBASEONE
Boys Planet invited aspiring male trainees from around the world. Ultimately, 98 contestants from 84 countries were selected and divided into two teams: K-Group (Korean trainees) and G-Group (Global trainees).
Competing under a space-themed concept, the show empowered viewers, referred to as “Star Creators”, to shape the final debut line-up through weekly voting on the Mnet Plus platform. It was hosted by a rotating cast of “Star Masters” and guided by seven expert performance mentors.
The show led to the formation of the nine-member boy group ZEROBASEONE (ZB1). Their debut extended play, Youth in the Shade, released on 10 July 2023, sold over two million copies.
ZEROBASEONE’s extraordinary impact was recognised through a historic “Rookie Grand Slam”, sweeping all 10 “Rookie of the Year” awards across all major Korean music award ceremonies, including the MAMA Awards, Melon Music Awards, Golden Disc Awards, and Seoul Music Awards.
13 /14
Release date: 10 March 2023
No. of episodes: 8
K-pop group produced: BABYMONSTER
Last Evaluation was a suspenseful rollercoaster of ambition and dreams, unfolding on BABYMONSTER’s YouTube channel. Seven talented trainees — Asa, Pharita, Ahyeon, Rami, Rora, Chiquita, and Ruka — faced intense challenges designed by YG Entertainment’s founder, Yang Hyun-suk, alongside industry heavyweights like Lee Su-hyun of AKMU and WINNER’s Kang Seung-yoon and Lee Seung-hoon.
By the end of the series, the dice rolled in favour of a unique seven-member ensemble. Representing a blend of nationalities — three from South Korea (Ahyeon, Rami, Rora), two from Japan (Ruka, Asa), and two from Thailand (Pharita, Chiquita) — the finalised group embodied YG’s vision of “YG DNA”: fierce talent, undeniable charisma, and a signature edge.
Release date: 9 July 2022
No. of episodes: 8
K-pop group produced: &TEAM
&Audition – The Howling was HYBE Labels Japan’s first cooperative-style Korean-Japanese audition series. Fifteen trainees — including four “confirmed” I-LAND contestants (K, Nicholas, EJ, and Taki) — collaborated to earn “&Balls” through performance challenges featuring songs by BTS, SEVENTEEN, MONSTA X, and more, under the mentorship of HYBE’s seasoned production team.
In a live, two-hour finale broadcast from Tokyo on 3 September 2022, the nine members of the debut line-up were revealed. The newly formed global boy group, &TEAM, officially made their debut on 7 December 2022 with the extended play First Howling: ME.
Since debuting, &TEAM has achieved a series of commercial milestones and industry accolades. Their first studio album, First Howling: NOW, released on 15 November 2023, debuted at number one on the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart and secured the number two position on the Oricon Albums Chart in its opening week.
