Viewers grow weary of same old audition shows

Contestants for MBC's audition show “Under Nineteen” are seen during a press conference at the broadcaster's headquarters in Seoul, Oct. 30. / Courtesy of MBC

By Park Jin-hai

It is almost audition show after audition show on television. Despite criticism that new music survival shows are only rehashed versions of old formats and now they have been reduced to an outlet to select members for debuting K-pop idol bands, local TV stations are busy broadcasting audition shows again. And viewer fatigue is growing rapidly over local TV's obsession with music survival shows.

The ongoing music audition shows, including MBC's “Under Nineteen,” SBS' “The Fan” and JTBC's “YG Treasure Box,” have failed to make much difference from previous audition programs and ended up making little clamor in the local entertainment business.

MBC's “Under Nineteen” takes almost the same format as Mnet's popular audition show “Produce 101” series, from the intention to audition the finalists for a debuting boy band, to the school uniforms candidates wear to perform and viewers' voting system. The only difference is those boys are divided into vocal teams, performance teams and rap teams and compete in performing the mission songs. Since its Nov. 3 premiere, the show has been suffering from low viewership at around 1 percent.

Although better positioned in buzzworthy rankings, the format of JTBC's “YG Treasure Box” cannot be called fresh, either. The only difference is that the show's contestants are all trainees of YG Entertainment. But it is not the first time YG has taken part in JTBC's audition shows. In the last audition show “Mix Nine,” which ended in January, the entertainment agency has been criticized for nullifying its previous promise of debuting the audition program winners, comprised of trainees of other entertainment companies.

SBS' music competition show “The Fan” is better seated in terms of viewership ratings. Its latest episode, aired Saturday, posted 8 percent viewership. Celebrity hosts pick their candidate with star potential and viewers vote for the final winner. The prize money of 100 million won will go to the winner's fan club to support the aspiring star.

MBC's cable affiliate MBC Music launched a survival show last month for composers, “The God of Creation.” Although its latest episode recorded a meager 0.2 percent, the channel has a plan to launch yet another audition show “Target: Billboard ― Kill Bill” in January, where the winner will be rewarded with collaboration with a global artist and a chance to take on the Billboard charts.

Cable Channel A has been broadcasting acapella-themed audition show “Vocal Play” since last month.

Industry insiders say that although there are only a few successful audition shows, TV stations continue to produce look-alike audition programs because they are easy to create fandoms.

“Those idol audition shows are effective for targeting young viewers in their teens and 20s. If those young viewers become fans of an individual trainee in the show, they tend to stick with the show to support the trainee and remain part of the show's loyal audience,” an official of a local broadcasting company said. “As seen in Produce 101, those shows are also good tools to raise overseas fandoms as well.”

The current rise of K-pop in the global music industry is also stimulating the creation of more audition shows.

“With the local music market having its limitations (for growth) and K-pop's status rising in the world, some of those shows have been designed from the first place to target overseas markets,” the official said. “If K-pop's popularity continues, those audition shows will be made for a while.”