K-pop wannabes sing out loud

Performance of "Pick Me" by 101 K-pop wannabes in "Produce 101" / Screen capture from YouTube

Over 100 young women are singing their hearts out to become members of a new K-pop girl band through audition program

“Produce 101.”

Mnet’s K-pop performance show, “M Countdown,” showed Thursday a video of 101 girls -- gathered from some 50 celebrity management companies in Korea -- performing EDM number “Pick Me.”

Hallyu actor Jang Geun-seok introduced the girls, who performed dance moves with the song.

Videos released on Friday showed the girls taking to the streets in a group and greeting passersby. Some introduced themselves separately in other videos, showing their skills.

With the program scheduled for regular TV airing next month, “Produce 101” will select the 11 final band members from a vote by netizens.

But some netizens have criticized the program.

“For the girls, the program might be a good opportunity to promote themselves on TV before their debut as a singer,” one blogger said. “But the whole idea of the project sounds sad.”