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What makes K-pop audition programs so popular?
Contestants perform onstage during Mnet's "Boys Planet," which aired in 2023. Captured from Mnet's YouTube channel
By Pyo Kyung-min
Survival format redefines idol success through fan loyalty
As K-pop's global reach continues to expand, Korean broadcasters are continuously rolling out a stream of audition programs searching for the next breakout act.
Mnet, known for its long-running history with televised music competitions, introduced the new elements of "BOYS II PLANET," a sequel to its "Boys Planet" series, during a press conference Wednesday. Earlier in June, broadcaster SBS also launched a new boy band audition program titled "B:MY BOYZ."
Over the years, Korea has discovered emerging talent through many different audition shows, including major titles like "Superstar K" and "K-Pop Star." These shows were among the first to introduce a nationwide voting system, inviting viewers to support their favorite contestants on their path to a debut.
While those earlier programs mainly debuted individual artists, the trend of forming K-pop groups through televised shows and propelling them to mainstream success began to thrive in the late 2010s with Mnet's "Produce 101" franchise.
Spanning four seasons, the "Produce 101" series produced immensely popular project groups including I.O.I, Wanna One, IZ*ONE and X1. These acts dominated the K-pop scene until the franchise ended in controversy after its production team was found to have illegally rigged the vote results.
Much of their appeal relies on the emphasis on fan participation.
For example, "Produce 101" referred to viewers as "national producers," giving fans the sense that they were directly responsible for selecting the finalists. This approach fostered an even deeper sense of investment in the already loyal fandom.
One self-described "survival show addict" in her 30s, who has followed the genre from the days of "Produce 101," likened her ongoing fascination to a kind of dopamine chase.
“I think it’s that thrill of discovering something new — especially as my old biases start to lose that spark in their eyes,” she said. “There’s something about growing with the trainees and watching them debut that creates a story arc. I think the survival format sticks around because it builds narratives that fans can invest in."
When asked about her plans to tune in to "Boys II Planet 2," she laughed.
“It’s so obvious. I know the tropes and can predict the outcomes, but I already know I’ll be watching. I think I’m addicted to the dopamine.”
A total of 101 trainees pose during Mnet's 'Produce 101 Season 2' press conference held at the Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, April 2017. Newsis
Although viewership for these programs has declined in recent years following the overall downturn in television consumption, these shows still remain a key part of the K-pop ecosystem — largely due to the changing dynamics of the industry's fandom culture.
Unlike in the past, when mainstream popularity directly drove revenue, today's K-pop market relies on dedicated fans who consistently buy albums, attend concerts and engage with digital content — now a key measure of success and the primary source of income.
As a result, producers have increasingly focused on catering to this core fanbase, developing content tailored to fan expectations.
"The success or failure of an idol group is now measured by initial album sales and merch consumption," a source at a local public relations company told The Korea Times.
"Appealing to the public taste is great, but for the producers of K-pop, building a loyal fanbase is now seen as more important. Even with limited mainstream exposure, a group can perform well if supported by a strong fandom," they explained.
ZeroBaseOne is among the clearest examples of this trend. The group was formed through the first season of Mnet's "Boys Planet," which aired in 2023 to lackluster ratings of 1 percent or lower for much of its run.
Despite this, the group debuted to overwhelming support from a fanbase built during the program, becoming immediate million-sellers. All five of the group's albums have sold over a million copies and the group has since topped local music shows and even launched a world tour, becoming one of the leading acts in K-pop.
K-pop boy band ZeroBaseOne / Courtesy of WAKEONE
A similar story played out with SBS's "Universe League." Though the program recorded a viewership rating of just 0.7 percent, the boy band AHOF, formed through the show, sold over 360,000 copies of their album in the first week of release, proving their commercial potential.
The growing influence of international fans has also strengthened the appeal of audition shows. These programs' voting systems provide a clear avenue for overseas audiences to participate, helping to build global fandoms early in the process.
Culture critic Ha Jae-geun cautioned that in the pursuit of commercial success, such programs must not lose sight of ethical standards. Speaking to a local outlet, Ha pointed to past controversies, warning that viewer expectations have changed.
"The public now expects transparency and authenticity," he said. "It's no longer just about who gets selected, but how they are selected. Unless these programs operate transparently at every stage, they risk losing trust and may not survive in the long run."