Bang Si Hyuk of Big Hit Entertainment is all ready to reveal his forthcoming boy group survival show with Mnet, named I-LAND. The competition is said to form the "2nd BTS."
As the 23 candidates have been publicly announced, many wonder what it will take for them all to make it into the final lineup of debuting members.
In an online press conference, Bang Si Hyuk announced how he will conduct the show and judge the contestants. First, he pointed out that the criteria he had when training BTS won't be appropriate now as K-pop artists' aspirations and skillset have evolved drastically.
And he is pleased to bring forth the upcoming world star legends!
"The image of K-pop performers has improved and risen enormously over the past couple of years. The general populace now has higher expectations," he said.
"After growing excited to meet the next talents who can satisfy those hopes, I, too, wanted to join the program," he added.
He explained that because the candidates are still new recruits only, he's searching not only for those who are eager to make their debut now but for those who have such a lot of promise.
He said, "I intend to look for their incredible skills and capability, rather than just looking at how well the candidates are right now."
Bang Si Hyuk went into more depth to describe the requirements he seeks in the debuting lineup. He would assess them in three major categories: teamwork, assertiveness, and future potential.
"Individual appeals are essential, but I'm also looking for just how they will coordinate with the group," he said.
"It is essential to finish the missions well, but I must determine whether they would act spontaneously under their own without directions from others and whether they can hold themselves accountable to it. I will see whether they can become artists who can live their lives by paving the way. Lastly, I'll be evaluating their future potential," Bang Si Hyuk stated.
Out of the 23 participants, only 12 will be capable of making their debut as the final members of the boy band I-LAND.
Nothing has yet been verified regarding their debut plans and promotional activities, and Bang Si Hyuk claims that it won't be final until around the end of the series as it depends on how the recruits progress through the show.
"I believe it's going to be inspired by how the 23 contestants develop and learn through their experiences," he said.
Bang Si Hyuk is expected to be the band's mentor and producer, alongside icons and K-pop geniuses Rain and Zico. Bang Si Hyuk revealed what kind of role he wants to take in the participants' training.
"Rather than making the contestants bury themselves in the contest and complete the assignments as they have been told, I will encourage them to choose on their own and develop," he said.
Rain also intends to focus further on the candidates than on the tasks. He wants to ensure the new recruits are well cared for not just physically but also emotionally.
"I will do my utmost to manage the participants' mental state, instead of overseeing the know-how and skill," Rain shared.
Zico, on the other hand, aims to use his creative mind to help the contestants activate their abilities that they are not even aware of yet. He intends to shares all of the know-how and tricks using his own experiences.
"I'll help the participants explore and activate their secret abilities they don't even know about themselves. I'll use the experiences I specialize in the industry to give ideas to them without trying to hold back everything," Zico said.
