Survival Shows

My gold standard for idol survival shows. The cast was talented, funny, and overall entertaining. The relationships built between the contestants were genuine, heartwarming, and heartbreaking. The success of this show and my love for it is a testament to the trainees themselves---Boys Planet captured lightning in a bottle purely by luck. An excellent show, an excellent top 9, and great handful of twists and turns along the way. 

 Imo this is the only male survival show that comes close to the cultural significance Produce S2 had at the time. 

The blueprint, paved the way, etc etc. PD101 and IOI reshaped kpop as we know it to this day. Choi Yoojung and Kim Doyeon deserved more from the industry fuck you Fantagio forever and ever and ever.

What can even be said. Imo the cultural significance of Broduce will never again be seen in another male idol survival show. I'm def due a rewatch for this one.

Some incredible standout talent in this one , so much so that they are still rockin' it in the industry today. However, other than the standouts...great gowns, beautiful gowns. 

Due a rewatch to make sure my rating is accurate.

Mnet when I catch you you're dead. Anyways. I care too much about my own sanity to write another essay about how so many innocent individuals were screwed over by greed and corruption. #JusticeForX1 

This one isn't really a survival show, although it pretends to be. As there is no audience participation, the show functions more as pre-debut PR for NCT WISH. That isn't to say, however, that this isn't a good show. In fact I think it has some of the best survival show performances of all time in it---that Keep Your Head Down cover? EXO's Electric Kiss? Don't even joke lad. 

 Also, Tokuno Yushi. 

I watched this almost a decade ago with my sister and we enjoyed it immensely, but also I was quite young. I doubt it holds up to time and scrutiny so take this rating with a grain of salt.

I actually thought this was terrible. Contestant's personalities were not shown in the slightest. Rehearsals were broadcast as "live performances" to show fake errors that didn't actually exist in the live show. Half-baked friendships and ship-bait was highlighted; real connections between trainees were not. HALF OF THE TRAINEES WERE ELIMINATED BEFORE THE PUBLIC COULD VOTE?!? THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY BEING CHINESE TRAINEES?!?

Overall, this was a really disappointing experience for me. I didn't get to watch the past produce/planet shows live, so I was excited to be able to do it this time around. Imagine my surprise that every episode just...sucked. Add on the K-center controversy and the fact that he still debuted and you have a show that's hard to enjoy.

Rating this five stars instead of 1 because a majority of the trainees were genuinely wonderful—funny, skilled, handsome, and charming. Sangwon and Anxin are lovely and talented and it was great to see them rewarded. Jiahao is fantastic. Liyu-Sanghyeon-Woojin-Haneum are a delightful group of guys and I wish them the best. The debut group is overall well-deserving and I’m truly happy for them. Still---no survival show should rely soley on the cast, and if it does, then at least SHOW US THE CAST!!

(Look, maybe I'll come back to this when it's not so fresh and have nicer things to say. But for now this is my take.)

watched forever ago but need to rewatch to rate accurately