First North Korean Survival Show Trainee’s Emotional Journey Moves Judges And Competitors 

On May 15, the first episode of the new survival show Make Mate 1 aired. The survival show is a collaboration between MAKESTAR and KBS, seeking to debut a next-generation global idol group.

The show is hosted by EXO‘s Xiumin and features industry judges like MAMAMOO‘s Solar.

While many of the trainees have experience in the industry, having competed in other survival shows previously, one trainee stood out before his identity was even known.

Before the show began, the inclusion of a North Korean trainee attracted attention to the show.

KBS’s New Idol Survival Show Set To Feature North Korean Defectors

Trainee Kim Hakseong was born in 2004, making him 19 or 20.

The trainee’s pre-show profiles mentioned that he is an ISTP and that his role model is THE BOYZ‘s Juyeon, but his status as a North Korea defector was not known until the show’s first episode aired.

During the first episode, the trainees were given the chance to introduce themselves using a keyword, and many were surprised by the term “Escaped from the North.” Kim Hakseong confirms, saying that he came to South Korea in 2017, when he around 13.

When I came to South Korea, my biggest concern was adjusting to society. I watched a lot of TV in the new home. I was so impressed by with the idol on TV. That’s how I started wanting to be an idol.

— Kim Hakseong

He mentions that telling his story was stressful, but felt that if he didn’t face it, he would “run away again.” He appeared to get a little choked up talking about his history.

The judges and other contestants were moved and impressed by his determination, especially by his answer for what his goal was. Kim Hakseong stated that he wanted to give hope to people who are in difficult situations where they can’t pursue their dreams.

Make Mate 1 airs weekly and it was previously stated that each of the trainees did not have agencies.