R U Next? (stylized in all caps) is a reality competition series organized by Belift Lab and JTBC.[1] The program debuted the South Korean girl group Illit.
Promotion and broadcast
On June 1, 2023, JTBC and Belift Lab announced that they had begun filming for the new survival program R U Next?, which aims to create the agency's next global girl group. The contestants would be assessed through seven rounds.[1] On the same day, Girls' Generation's Choi Soo-young was confirmed as the show's host.[2] On June 7, the official Twitter, Instagram and Weverse accounts for R U Next? opened and the first set of promotional posters were posted. An article was also released on the same day confirming the show would be containing seven missions and would also air through Wavve and Netflix in South Korea and Abema TV in Japan from June 30, at 8:50PM KST.[3] On June 9, former Miss A member and actress, Bae Suzy, was confirmed to sing the signal song for R U Next?. It was released on June 12 at 6:00PM KST.[4] Profiles of the twenty-two contestants were revealed on June 16, with individual profile photos and introduction videos.[5]
Final lineup
After the performances of the final round, the six-member final lineup was decided through a combination of votes and label consideration. The six winners - Wonhee, Youngseo, Iroha, Yunah, Minju, and Moka - were chosen to become members of Illit, the first girl group under BeLift Lab, and the third girl group to debut under Hybe after Le Sserafim and NewJeans.[6] However, Youngseo left the pre-debut lineup which was announced on 5 January 2024,[7] and hence the group was later confirmed to debut with the remaining five members.[8] Illit debuted on March 25, 2024 and released their debut album, Super Real Me, with Hybe's chairman Bang Si-hyuk participating as producer of their album.[9][10]
Cast
Host
Coaches[12]
Guests
- Choi Soo-young
- Park Gyu-ri (Kara)
- Lee Hyun (8Eight)
- Jo Kwon (2AM)
- Kim Jae-hwan (Wanna One)
- Aiki
- Vincenzo
- Mandu
- NU'EST's Baekho – special coach for Round 2 (Episode 2-3)
Contestants
Profile
Missions
Round 1: Tryout
The try out is the gateway to see if you have the potential to become a member. The trainees have been divided into 7 different units with 3-4 members per unit. The tryouts will be evaluated within each unit. Each unit will be evaluated by the coaches after their performances.[15] The unit members will then each be divided into three levels: High (H), Mid (M), and Low (L).
- Episode 1-2
Round 2: Death Match
The theme of the mission is the debut title tracks of the 4th generation idol groups of Hybe. Within the three levels formed, 2 units will be formed. Two units will perform together with the same song. The unit that wins will get a benefit of extra points. Starting from this mission, there will be eliminations. Trainees in the Low Level will become elimination candidates.[16]
Rankings
Global votes
First voting period
The first global voting period took place from June 23, 2023, at 12pm KST to July 5, 12am KST. Fans were able to vote for six contestants, once a day. 50% domestic and 50% global votes were converted into scores.
- Color key
Second voting period
The second global voting period took place from July 7, 2023, at 12pm KST to July 20, 12am KST. Fans were able to vote for six contestants, once a day. 50% domestic and 50% global votes were converted into scores.
- Color key
Third voting period
The third global voting period took place from July 21, 2023, at 10:30pm KST to Aug 10, 12am KST. Fans were able to vote for six contestants, once a day. 50% domestic and 50% global votes were converted into scores.
Discography
Singles
Ratings
Response
R U Next?, during its time of broadcast, gained a large fan following from South Korea and many other countries. The final episode was viewed in 182 countries and regions, and over 23 million votes were cast globally to select six contestants to join the debut lineup. During the broadcast of the show, its official TikTok channel accumulated over 800 million views, and the show's official accounts on other social media platforms attracted more than one million followers. The final lineup, consisting of Wonhee, Youngseo, Minju, Iroha, Moka, and Yunah, received good fan reception.[19][20]
Despite its popularity among fans, there were several controversies surrounding the show. Among them were the selection of the debut lineup members, because the system of choosing the six members of the debut lineup, mainly two via fan voting and four via label pick, caused some dissatisfaction among viewers who felt the fan votes were not the main factor behind choosing the members of the debut lineup, and another reason was due to the elimination of some trainees who were among the most well-liked contestants by fans, who felt they deserved a chance to debut like the six winners.[21][22]
Aftermath
- Five members of the final six debuted as Illit on March 25, 2024.[23]
- Youngseo left the group on January 5, 2024.
Other contestants
- On March 21, 2024, Jeemin was revealed as a contestant on Mnet survival show I-Land 2. She placed 2nd in the final episode, making her a member of the show's final lineup. Later, she debuted as member of Izna on November 25, 2024.[24]
- Chanelle and Yewon joined Attrakt and debuted as members of Fifty Fifty on September 20, 2024.[25]
External links
- Production website at Mushroom Company
References
- https://www.starnewskorea.com/stview.php?no=2023060110284358524 Star News, June 1, 2023, retrieved June 19, 2023^
- https://www.etnews.com/20230615000109 ETNews, June 15, 2023, retrieved June 19, 2023^
- https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/009/0005140721 Maeil Broadcasting Network, June 7, 2023, retrieved June 19, 2023