Titled “The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project,” the program targets disheartened young artists who unsuccessfully made their debut in the K-pop scene but want to try their luck and dream again through the audition program. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – Encouraged by the recent runaway success of Mnet’s idol audition program “Produce 101 Season 2,” KBS 2TV has ambitiously came up with its own version that it hopes can produce a touching turnaround success story.
Titled “The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project,” the program targets disheartened young artists who unsuccessfully made their debut in the K-pop scene but want to try their luck and dream again through the audition program.
At a press conference on Wednesday, chief producer Han Kyung-cheon said he would capitalize on the network’s broaderaudience base than that of the cable channel’s.
“I know that we need a young audience to generate more buzz but we won’t only focus on appealing to them but try to accommodate wider needs,” he said.
The program is armed with a strong group of mentees and trainers — Rain, Hwang Chi-yeul, Taemin of SHINee, HyunA and rapper San E.
Saying he will try to boost the contestants’ confidence, singer Hwang said, “I myself went through a lot and I know how low their self-esteem is at that stage of life. I want to help them lift their spirits.”
HyunA said she focuses on sympathizing with them by trying to hear their stories while SHINee’s Taemin hoped to give them tips on stage performances.
The new show will compete against Mnet’s “Stray Kids” to choose members of JYP Entertainment’s new boy group as well as JTBC’s “Mix Nine” which features Yang Hyun-suk, the founder of YG Entertainment.
The viewers get to vote for the contestants they support. Atthe end of the show, nine boys and nine girls will be chosen as the final winners.
The first episode is set to air at 9:15 p.m. this Saturday.
(Yonhap)
