Familiar Faces Among “Universe League” Contestants Spark Mixed Feelings

Many have already competed on survival shows.
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Koreaboo

One of the many ways idol hopefuls can find success is by competing on a survival show. These shows usually take many trainees or even already-debuted idols and have them compete for a chance at debuting in a brand-new group.

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ZEROBASEONE | @ZB1_Official/X

While survival shows have proven to be a good opportunity for some idols to gain popularity, some competitors, unfortunately, seem to end up in a cycle of appearing on similar shows for a variety of reasons.

The recently announced Universe League is one such show with a line-up filled with familiar faces.

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| Universe League

Universe League is a follow-up to Universe Ticket, the survival program that formed UNIS and features 42 contestants. The show will have contestants form teams using a draft system while competing against each other. In line with the show’s title, members will be traded between teams like in professional sports.

One of the contestants that has already attracted attention is LUMINOUS‘s Steven.

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LUMINOUS’s Steven | @unvs_league/X

Steven previously competed on Produce X 101, but he was eliminated before debuting in his current group. Many fans have expressed surprise over his competing in the show and feelings from excitement to disappointment he is having to compete in another show.

Other contestants have earned similarly mixed reactions including former IM and UNB‘s Kim Gijoong (Kijoong), who appeared on Wild Idol and The Unit…

 

…and NINE.i‘s Joohyoung. NINE.i previously had legal issues with their previous agency and had announced they would be entering a hiatus following their Japanese tour in August.

The contestant with the most reactions by far however, is former TO1‘s Woongki. Woongki debuted after competing on World Klass but was one of three members announced to have left the group in 2022.

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Cha Woongki | @unvs_league/X

Woongki then competed on Boys Planet, but was eliminated and finished in 20th place.

Fans of the idol are both saddened that he is competing in a survival show for the third time (fourth including his appearance on Road To Kingdom with TO1), but hopeful that this one will lead him to success.

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