The “7” Top K-Pop Survival TV Shows

Korean TV doesn’t always feature dramas and movies. Sometimes, survival shows are the best entertainment. These shows are similar to the singing competitions and others that are seen on televisions and online across the United States. Most of the popular streaming services are now streaming Korean survivals shows on their platform. Think of a group of people trying to reach the top by going through various performances. However, there’s quite a bit more at stake with these shows. The contestants spend numerous hours each week getting ready for each show so that they can show off their skills.

“YG Treasure Box”

Most K-Pop survival shows are available for TV streaming and might last for one season, two if they are popular. This show made its debut in 2019. YG Entertainment is widely known in Korea and discovered Yang Hyung-Suk, a popular music sensation. While on the show, 29 young men work to see who will be a member of TREASURE, one of the new K-Pop groups. They are split into groups based on their skills, such as singing or dancing. There is one person selected from each category with about a dozen being chosen to be the idols of the group.

“MixNine”

YG Entertainment is also responsible for this show. It only aired for one season and featured about 170 trainees in the first round with males and females competing together. After the group was separated into teams, they were given various challenges to complete in front of judges. Artists well-known across Korea were brought in on the show to help the trainees prepare. The final male and female teams compete against each other to determine who will be the next K-Pop music group.

“Idol Rebooting Project: The Unit”

Idols who have already debuted on the show are asked to come back so that they can compete again to see if they can make it to the top. There are two groups of males and females with nine people being in each group. They work each day to deliver the vocals that are needed in order to get the most votes from the audience. There are “Boots” that the audience can give to see their favorites automatically come back the next week.

“The I-Land”

About two dozen males showcase their talents on this show. However, they are in a remote forest for 113 days to see who can survive the longest with the hope of reaching the final day by using the skills that they have. There are gyms and other amenities available for them to use, but only 12 at a time can live there at once while the others go to the “Ground.” This is an area that doesn’t offer amenities along with a smaller living area. Challenges are given to see who is the strongest and who has the best mindset to finish.

“Road to Kingdom”

Males are once again put into groups to see who has the skills it takes to rise to the top so that they are a new K-Pop group. Seven groups were formed on the show, but the public didn’t know them until the very last moment when they were on the stage. This is something that makes the show stand out as most others introduce the members right away. The group members with the lowest number of points after performing leave the show with the group that has the most points at the end going on to a different survival show.

“Kingdom: Legendary War”

Groups from “Road to Kingdom” are welcomed back to compete once again to see who can reach the top. Several popular groups including Stray Kids have been among the ones that have reached the final round. Six groups compete until there are only four left with the winner being determined in the last round. The winner of the competition is treated to a reality show.

“Produce 48”

A girl group is formed from 96 contestants who are on the show. Members are from Japan and South Korea. The audience is in control of choosing the trainees as well as the performances and other details. The concept is also determined by the audience, which is something that isn’t seen on many of the other reality shows. Iz*One was formed at the end of the show and includes 12 contestants. Unfortunately, the group has dissolved since the show’s completion.

Some internet providers like Spectrum internet have partnered with popular Korean streaming media Viu, you can stream these Korean survival shows here with English subtitles.