What is produce 101?

Produce 101: A Deep Dive

Produce 101 was a hugely popular South Korean reality television competition series that aired on Mnet. The basic premise revolved around forming a temporary girl group or boy group through a public voting system. The audience, dubbed "national producers," got to choose the members who would debut.

Here's a breakdown of key elements:

• The Format: The show gathered a large pool of trainees (usually 101 initially, hence the name) from various entertainment companies. These trainees competed against each other through singing, dancing, and rapping performances. Each week, contestants faced eliminations based on online and live voting results.

• The National Producers: This was the heart of the show. Viewers had the power to vote for their favorite trainees, ultimately deciding who would make the final cut and debut as part of the winning group. Their votes were weighted differently based on various factors and voting periods.

• Seasons: There were four seasons of Produce 101:

  • Season 1 (2016): I.O.I (girl group)
  • Season 2 (2017): Wanna One (boy group)
  • Produce 48 (2018): IZ*ONE (girl group, a collaboration with AKB48 from Japan)
  • Produce X 101 (2019): X1 (boy group)

• Controversies: Despite its popularity, the Produce 101 franchise was plagued by voting manipulation scandals. Investigations revealed that votes were rigged, impacting the final lineups of the groups. This led to legal repercussions for those involved and significantly damaged the show's reputation.

• Impact and Legacy: Despite the controversies, Produce 101 had a massive impact on the K-pop industry. It propelled many trainees to fame and gave the winning groups instant recognition. The show popularized the "survival show" format in South Korea and other countries. Many contestants who didn't make the final groups went on to debut in other successful groups or pursue solo careers.