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When we think of successful girl groups, often the names we hear are groups that were created by survival shows: IZ*ONE, Fromis9, Twice, just to name a few. However, survival shows offer another great opportunity for fans in the form of getting to know the names of up and coming stars. For today’s Writer’s Picks we’ll be looking at some amazing groups that were formed by artists who had previously tried their hand at debuting through competition shows.
One of the greatest recent examples of a survival show that could have turned out multiple perfect line-ups is MNET’s Girls Planet 999 (GP999), as well as JTBC’s Girls on Fire, although even the winning lineup of the latter wasn’t able to debut through the show. The show that birthed Kep1er had no shortage of well-rounded trainees including Cherry Bullet’s main vocalist at the time, Kim Bora, industry veteran Choi Yujin from CLC, and Kim Suyeon (Sheon) who joined the incredible lineup of Billlie. In this piece, we’ll be exploring some groups that were formed with former survival show participants that have captured the hearts and minds of the K-pop audience over the years.
UNI.T
Our first entry is a group that for many K-pop fans is proof that it isn’t only talent that keeps a group going. UNI.T is one of the most memorable debuts of the year 2018 owing greatly to their star-studded lineup and quite frankly, to the age of many of the members.
The Unit as a survival show gave many of the idols who were still in the industry, and other hopeful performers looking for a foot in the doorway to the stage. It isn’t until very recently that older women are being given the space and time to enjoy their careers into their mature years, an example of this being MAMAdol. It took a show like this airing, and for the group to debut, for many companies and fans alike to believe that it is possible for women to marry, have children and still be diligent workers in the same way that men do.
Often trainees debut very young and by the time they are in their mid to late twenties, the industry has moved on. UNI.T, however, proved that fans would keep paying attention, as long as the companies keep investing in their artists and performers.
This group featuring members from some of the most well-known groups like Laboum, Dal★Shabet, HelloVenus, SPICA, SONAMOO and more, is a testament to the fact that dedication to your craft doesn’t simply stop when the contract ends. The members worked extremely hard to show their individual talents and collaborative skills on the show that only made it even more disappointing when the group disbanded less than a year into their activities.
That being said, N.CA, ZN, Yoonjo, Woohee, Suji, Jiwon, Yebin, Hyunjoo, and Euijin have made a lasting impression on fans and the industry at large in a way that makes it hard to accept we may never see them as a group again.
At the same time though, knowing that each artist has the space to now tell their own story at their own pace is something we can never take for granted, and look forward to exploring with SONAMOO’s leader, and The Unit first place winner, Euijin soon. (Keep in touch with us here to make sure you don’t miss it!)
Lapillus
If this group looks familiar, that is thanks to our conversation with our previous guest, the amazing vocalist and dancer of Lapillus, Yue. In our Chat with Yue, we explained in part how the team came to meet and the electrifying energy surrounding their debut as a group.
Performing for fans in countries like the Philippines, Mexico and more, the group captured audience attention for their experimental sound and mesmerising choreography.
No matter how many times it happens, the feeling of witnessing a group with so much talent and genuine love for each other unable to continue their activities together comes with feelings of sadness. On the other hand, when a chapter of a book ends we can brace ourselves for the many adventures that come next. As fans have stood behind the Lapillus members from the moment they debuted to the present moment, Lapis know better than anyone just how talented and capable they are of starting again, no matter the directions they choose to pursue.
H1-KEY
Loyal M1-KEYs may know that member Riina participated in Produce 48 under her birth name, Lee Seunghyeon. While her journey there was not very long, Riina has been rather vocal about her journey to making her debut with H1-KEY. She credits the time for building her resilience, and also acknowledges the hardship she faced while waiting for her chance on the stage.
Athletic Girl dropped on a hot summer day (for those in the southern hemisphere) in 2022 and listeners with their keen ears on the ground who found this track knew that they were in for a ride. On July 6th, they made their first comeback with ‘Run’ featuring member Hwiseo for the first time, marking one of the most iconic and impactful lineup changes that the K-pop scene has likely ever seen.
Following this, the group went on to climb charts with their iconic single ‘Rose Blossom’, and shape the direction of the K-pop industry at large with their signature pop-punk sound. ‘Summer Was You’ became the popular Korean Summer Recap song, the group made their Japanese debut, and fans are on the edge of their seats to see what happens next.
UDTT
Another group with a significant lineup change, UDTT recently made their first comeback featuring member Lu Yuting’s voice for the first time. From the moment they came on the scene, UDTT made it clear that they are here for a ‘Retry’. All members have previous industry experience in various capacities.
The last member added to the lineup, Yuting, was a finalist on Chuang Asia Thailand as well as a winner on the show Time Turner before ultimately choosing to pursue her career with UDTT. (Arai) Risako made her K-pop industry debut on Girls Planet 999, Koo Hanna was on My Teenage Girl, Kwon Yejin on Universe Ticket while Han Chaehee was a pre-debut member of the group G.I.G that was set to debut in 2021. With so much accumulated experience amongst them, it is truly a relief that each of these members have another chance to show why they are dedicated to this career path.
The group’s first comeback, ‘Viper’, is a deviation from their lighter previous releases. The choreography amplifies the energy of an already high-tension track with an addictive bassline. The change of concept towards something darker just adds to the intrigue around this group. They’re keen to try new things and clearly audiences are in for a treat with what’s next.
LOVEONE
Another Girls Planet 999 contestant features in this amazing quartet. (Murakami) Yume first grabbed fan attention with her performances on the show that led fans to many of their favourite performers. Following this she made her debut with the short-lived but much loved group VIV in early 2024.
Together with Yuna, Ayeon and Yousom, Yume’s latest venture at making a name for herself in the K-pop industry has resulted in a small but strong fandom, and a discography that keeps listeners coming back, and recommending the group to anyone who will listen (ahem…).
The group’s music is often compared to that of the 2nd generation of K-pop for its lightheartedness and movie soundtrack feel. If you’re looking for a group to watch as they evolve and establish themselves as great artists and performers then Lovewith (the group’s fandom) is ready to add you to their numbers.
WekiMeki
To mention survival show members joining groups without mentioning WekiMeki would be regrettable. Even though the group is no longer active, they are still spoken of as one of the most iconic and impactful groups of the 3rd generation. From ‘Picky Picky’ to ‘Oopsy’ to ‘I don’t like your girlfriend’, there are plenty of songs that listeners could recognise at the drop of a hat.
Under Fantagio Entertainment, Elly, Sei, Yoojung, Doyeon, and another labelmate competed on Produce 101. In the end, only Doyeon and Yoojung ended up joining IOI but interest in the other members, including friend of HallyuTones JISUYEON, never wavered. Once the promotions of the temporary group were complete, the label announced the official debut of WekiMeki as an 8-member group.
There are many moments in the group’s trajectory that fans could point to where they wish the company had capitalised on the group’s popularity, including Elly’s dedication and versatile performances on Queendom Puzzle. Despite this however, WekiMeki remains among the many girl groups who made such a strong impression on audiences with their performances and discography alone.
WJSN
There’s no way we could put such a piece together and not mention one of the best kept Secret’s of K-pop. Debuted under Starship and Yuehua Entertainment, WJSN (also Cosmic Girls) initially debuted as a 12 member group featuring Chinese members with the track ‘MoMoMo’. The members of the group had already drawn attention for their wide variety of skills and talents.
The group’s leader, Exy (Sojung), was a familiar face owing to her appearance on the popular show ‘Unpretty Rapstar’. Then, following her successful run as a participant in Produce 101 that led to her debut with IOI, member Yeonjung took her place as part of the group’s lineup too. Through both of their individual journeys, and those of the other members, Ujungs (the group’s fans) had no shortage of talent to support.
While the group’s makeup has changed quite significantly since they first made their appearance, WJSN remains one of K-pop’s best gifts to music. Their latest release is titled ‘Bloom Hour’, a celebration of the 10 years they’ve spent together and the many seasons they’ve witnessed. Anyone who knows of this group knows that whether they’re there as WJSN Chocome, The Black or standing as 8 members on the stage, they’re sure to deliver a cosmic performance.
While this is nowhere near a comprehensive list of K-pop groups who’ve debuted with survival show contestants, it is a start. Both shows with male and female trainees are extremely emotional to watch, and to witness hundreds of hopefuls put their all on the stage every week is a rollercoaster that’s likely even more terrifying for the trainees to experience.
Often there are only a few spots available for the debuting group, and the contestants are all usually extremely talented. Perhaps, however, our perspective as the audience can benefit from a change that positively impacts every single contestant. Perhaps, we need to be just as invested in ensuring that even those who don’t place in the final groups win simply by receiving our attention and support in their future endeavours.
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