In every audition survival program, certain standouts quickly capture the spotlight, and they are often viewed as contenders for the final lineup.
Sadly, reality competition shows are rife with unpredictability, as promising "wasted trainees" find themselves cut loose despite their excellent skills.
From Lee Si An to Fuko to Sihun, here are eight idol trainees from survival shows who fans believe should have debuted:
Kim Jong Hyeon - Mnet's "Produce 101" S2
Before joining the survival show in 2017, Kim Jong Hyeon was already popular as JR from NU'EST, which debuted in 2012. The boy group enjoyed modest success, but it wasn't until he joined "Produce 101" that his fame skyrocketed.
At the time, viewers were certain he would debut as WANNA ONE, but shockingly, he only ranked 14th.
In 2019, it was revealed that the show was rigged, prompting speculations among fans that he was one of the victims.
Lee Kaeun - Mnet's "Produce 48"
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"Produce 48," the third installment of the popular "Produce" series, was a collaboration between Japanese idol groups AKB48, SKE48, and more.
Among the sea of aspirants, Lee Kaeun, a previous member of the girl group After School, rose as one of the most popular trainees as she swiftly captivated fans with her stunning visuals and skills.
However, her journey took a heartbreaking turn when she also fell victim to the show's voting manipulation. After securing fifth place, she shockingly sank to No. 14, dashing her dreams of debuting in IZ*ONE.
Lee Si An - Mnet's "Idol School," "Produce 48"
Aside from Lee Kaeun, Lee Si An also broke fans' hearts when she got eliminated from the same show. During her time in "Produce 48," she was lauded for her leadership, beauty, and vocals. Unfortunately, she ranked 30th and bade farewell in Episode 11.
In 2017, she joined Mnet's "Idol School" where she also showcased her skills. She almost joined the lineup, but was let go at the final elimination after ranking 16th.
Now, Si An is turning heads once again as one of the participants of Netflix's reality dating show, "Single's Inferno 4."
Lee Jinhyuk - Mnet's "Produce x 101" S4
Ending up in the dreaded "14th place curse," Lee Jinhyuk failed to debut in X1.
In the show, Jinhyuk showed exemplary leadership and skills, but he was axed from the program because of rigged votes.
The fourth season marked the end of the "Produce" franchise, while X1 disbanded in under a year as the group was plagued by the voting manipulation scandal.
Currently, Jinhyuk is the main rapper of the boy group UP10TION.
Kawaguchi Yurina - Mnet's "Girls Planet 999"
Following the cancellation of "Produce," Mnet launched another survival show, the "Planet" series.
In season 1, Yurina drew attention for ranking first place in 83 countries during the initial elimination battle.
But just like déjà vu, her ranking took a nosedive to 14th, making her unable to join Kep1er.
Terazono Keita - Mnet's "Boys Planet" S2
While Keita has established his career as a Ciipher and Evnne member, his missed opportunity to debut in ZEROBASEONE saddened fans.
During the competition, Keita was a crowd favorite and consistently secured a spot in the Top 9. However, he fell short in the finale when he ranked 12th, leaving fans disappointed.
Kim Sihun - JTBC's "Project 7"
"Project 7"—a collaboration show between Studio SLL and Studio Slam that ran from October to December 2024—was on its quest to search for seven talented idols who will complete the boy group CLOSE YOUR EYES (CYE).
Among the contestants, Sihun stood out for his impressive all-rounder skills and seemed destined for the final lineup. However, it didn't materialize after he ranked 8th, just one spot shy of fulfilling his dream.
Hayashi Fuko - Mnet's "I-LAND 2"
Among the "I-LAND 2" trainees who failed to join IZNA's debut, Fuko was the most mentioned due to her strong vocal skills and undeniable stage presence.
Despite her talents, the producers left her out of the final lineup, leaving her fans dismayed.
Duan Xing Xing - SBS' "Starlight Boys"
Duan Xing Xing, the latest "wasted trainee," left fans in tears after missing his chance to join the highly-anticipated group POLARIX.
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