Reality TV is the lifeblood of the entertainment industry. This space can be made extra addictive by adding a layer of music to the flair. Reality TV shows that make or break musical artists have gained quite a fanbase and have flourished for years. The western world is thriving in this area by means of exquisite shows like The X factor and Eurovision. However, the Asians have taken control of this concept by adding their own touch. South Korea’s produce 101 is a prime example of this.
‘Produce 101’ is South Korea’s take on Musical TV. The underlying concept of this wild series is fairly simple. The entire industry is surfed through in order to determine the top 101 idols who have the potential to make it big. These contestants are chosen from every entertainment agency in South Korea. One cannot play the fame game when it comes to selecting the participants and the tables can turn at any moment!
During the course of the episodes, the participants battle each other out by way of numerous challenges. They are put through rigorous training, team activities as well as solo stages in order to bring out their best side in every aspect of music. Ultimately, 11 of the top-ranked contestants are declared victors and are made to debut as the next big group of K-POP!
Produce 101:
‘Produce 101’ is essentially a product of Mnet Entertainment. As of 2022, there are four seasons of Produce 101 that have been released. Each of these seasons explores a fresh wave of talent and is super entertaining! The first season was a mission to select the most talented female idols of K-POP. However, the roles reversed in the second season as Produce 101 set off to discover the diamonds among the male idols. Anyone familiar with Produce 101 is no doubt aware of the catchy theme song- Pick me and Nayana!
The top 11 participants of every season are presented to fans as a group who will continue to make music together for the rest of the year. Following the expiration of this contract, various agencies will be free to scout them and sign them under their record. Former blockbuster groups like I.O.I and Wanna One are a by-product of the immense success of ‘Produce 101’. The winners of every season are showered with extreme amounts of time in the spotlight. The news of their victory reaches the very borders of Korea and they are often well renowned. However, today we want to cast the spotlight on those idols who were overflowing with talent but still failed to make the cut. Presenting to you a list of ‘Eliminated contestants of Produce 101‘ and what they are doing now!
1. Kim Samuel (Season 2)
Kim Samuel is South Korea’s sweetheart! The 20-year-old darling is in fact a prodigy. He has been passionate about music right from his days in middle school. Kim Samuel has undergone training under Pledis Entertainment and was set to debut as a part of the sensational group Seventeen. However, he was unable to do so owing to his young and fragile self at the time. He went on to become a part of Brave Entertainment soon after and presented himself as a contestant in Produce 101 Season 2.
Despite exhibiting some exemplary skills in both dancing and singing, he was not lucky enough to secure a rank high enough. Kim Samuel positioned 18th in the finals and thus ended up as an ‘Eliminated contestant of Produce 101’. However, do not be disheartened as this marked the beginning of his career as a solo artist! Samuel released three solo albums and even appeared in Korean dramas like Sweet revenge and Revenge note 2. As of 2022, he is said to have signed an exclusive contract with Big Planet Mode to further his career as a soloist. Be sure to catch the cutie on tik-tok!
2. Han Hyeri (Season 1)
Han Hyeri missed her shot at victory literally by a whisker. She joined the list of ‘Eliminated contestants of Produce 101’ because of an extremely close miss. Han Hyeri was ranked #12 in the first season of produce 101. We can only imagine how shattered she must have felt.
In order to soothe such hurting fans, Leon entertainment stepped in to provide a new opportunity for them. Leon formed a girl group comprising especially those idols who were not lucky enough to make the top 11 in season one under the name I.B.I.
However, the group parted ways after a year and are now treading their own paths. Hyeri tried her luck in various other survival and reality programs. However, after they all seemed to be unsuccessful, she has now signed up to kickstart herself as a soloist!
Also read: BTS’s new album, We are bulletproof, what to expect!
3. Park Jinny (season 3)
Park Jinny is a perfect epitome of the rise of the underdog. She became a part of the ‘Eliminated Contestants of produce 101’ quite early when she was eliminated from the show with a ranking of #69. However, she has proved her spot in the spotlight and is back with a bang!
Park Jinny was officially introduced as the first member of Vine Entertainment’s girl group- Secret Number. Prior to this, she released original music on platforms like Soundcloud. The authenticity in her music earned her a spot in Produce 101 even as an individual trainee. The girls debuted with their first digital single in March 2021 Who dis?
The song now has over 43 million views on Youtube and features some breathtaking visuals. Park Jinny is an inspiration to many and is the live result of never giving up! Her hard work and perseverance have put her history as the ‘Eliminated contestant of Produce 101’ all in the past! Catch her debut single right here!
4. Ham Wonjin (Season 4)
Ham Wonjin is yet another Korean idol who crossed the line over to the list of ‘Eliminated contestants of Produce 101’ by a close call. His final ranking was #16 when he parted from the show. Ham Wonjin officially represented Starship entertainment when he was a contestant on the show.
He now continues to shine his light over Starship entertainment. Ham Wonjin was made a part of the up and rising rookie boy group Cravity in 2020. He finally seems to have found his area of expertise and is flourishing as the vocalist in Cravity. His talents do not end there as he is also known to be fluent in the Japanese language. Wonjin has also appeared in a few Korean dramas and considers Park Jimin to be his role model. This comes from his days as a former trainee under Bighit Entertainment which is now the K-POP giant HYBE.
Wonjin has a lovable personality with immense potential to grow. We believe he will surely make his mark with the support of his fellow members and his innate talent which is sure to make his identity as an ‘Eliminated contestant of Produce 101’ pure history!
5. Jeon Soyeon (Season 1)
There is much to say about the name and fame Soyeon has earned for herself currently. However, a few years ago she was an ‘Eliminated contestant from produce 101’. Soyeon waved goodbye to the show with a ranking of #20 on the season’s finale. Today, Soyeon is part of the highest-ranked Korean girl groups in all of Korea.
She also secured the position of the third runner-up in Mnet’s unpretty Rapstar 3. Following this, she came out with her solo single Jelly in 2017. However, just one year later she was introduced as the leader of the six-piece girl group G-idle. Jeon Soyeon possesses one of the most unique rap styles and this sets her apart from her fellow competitors. She has been featured in numerous collaborations such as K/DA. Her recent single dessert, in collaboration with HYO, moved her further up the charts!
Jeon Soyeon is one of the most sought-after idols in the recent era and her accomplishments are endless. Her fierce personality in combination with her bold raps has allowed her to conquer the industry entirely. The cherry on top is definitely her picture-perfect face and flawless features.
That brings us to the end of ‘Eliminated contestants of Produce 101’ and their current standing. We believe that these previous misses are the stepping stones of success which has pushed them this far. They must not be judged due to these titles, especially considering the sometimes unfair voting and selection systems of these reality shows! Stay tuned for more updates!
