Universe Ticket, SBS’ latest survival series, unveiled on Monday, August 21 the mentors and judges for their upcoming show.
Girls’ Generation member Hyoyeon will be the lead judge. She will be joined by vocalist Younha, singer-songwriter Adora, former I.O.I and gugudan member Kim Sejeong, and Rian of group La Chica.
'Universe Ticket' is SBS 1st group audition program & 82 multinational girls participate. The final 8 members selected through the program will be active worldwide.
Judges for 'Universe Ticket' are SNSD Hyoyeon, Younha, Kim Sejeong, producer/singer Adora, & Dancer La Chica Rian pic.twitter.com/k0Vqe4rzkg
— HYU 📸 PICTURE (@HYOYEON_Updates) August 18, 2023
Meanwhile, ITZY members Yeji and Chaeryeong will appear as mentors on the show.
#ITZY #YEJI and #CHAERYEONG will appear as mentors for SBS' girl group audition program 'Universe Ticket', which is scheduled to premiere on SBS in November.https://t.co/eIQH7Pg69J pic.twitter.com/toXY7NA7tI
— The Hallyu News (@TheHallyuNews) August 20, 2023
According to the producers, these seven celebrities will act as icons of Universe Ticket. Additionally, they will also serve as the role models for the contestants, aside from being just judges and mentors.
However, it remains unclear whether the show will add more judges and mentors in the coming months.
What we know so far about Universe Ticket
In the meantime, Universe Ticket has started releasing concept photos and profiles for their 82 idol hopefuls.
From 82 participants, only eight contestants will make it into the final debut lineup.
They will then form a project girl group that will promote for two and a half years under the new K-pop agency F&F Entertainment.
Interestingly, the 82 trainees came from 14 countries. The list includes South Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, Italy, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, Canada, Australia, and Thailand.
Universe Ticket contestant nationalities: South Korea, Japan, China, Mongolia, Italy, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, Canada, Australia, Thailand pic.twitter.com/WG3Z4YTdF4
— UNIVERSE TICKET UPDATES (@UT_UPDATES) July 17, 2023
While most of the candidates are fresh faces, there’ some that are already familiar to the fans. For example, contestant Park Yewon is a former member of group HOT ISSUE.
Meanwhile, Kwon Chaewon was known as Eunchae during her days in group DIA, while Minju was known as Aki when she was in group Majors.
Also, there are also who remain to be part of their existing groups such as Cignature’s Belle, Buster’s Jieun, Prikil’s Nana and Yukino.
Park Yewon (former HOT ISSUE) will participate on survival show Universe Ticket pic.twitter.com/cOmbglxSZV
— nugu promoter (@nugupromoter) July 17, 2023
Cignature will be active as a 6 membered group for the time being with Belle participating in Universe Ticket pic.twitter.com/LmwGk7urdu
— nugu promoter (@nugupromoter) July 17, 2023
Moreover, Universe Ticket will be the latest survival series that will form a project group.
ZEROBASEONE or ZB1 was formed via Boys Planet. Said series is the sequel to the 2021 reality competition Girls Planet 999, which formed the girl group KEP1ER. Additionally, Mnet has also opened the application project for the second season of I-LAND.
Featured image: ITZY member Yeji and Chaeryeong pose for a selca. Credit: Facebook/ITZY
