X1 Members Make Comeback on Survival Shows: Lee Han-gyul’s Fourth Appearance

X1, which burst onto the scene through Mnet’s competitive audition show “Produce X 101”, quickly gained immense popularity following their debut but unfortunately disbanded just four months later amid controversies regarding manipulation.

On September 30, the profiles of participants for the much-anticipated “Starlight Boys” were unveiled. “Starlight Boys” is a boy group audition program, collaboratively produced by SBS and the Chinese streaming platform iQIYI. Among the participants is Lee Han-gyul, a former member of X1, which has sparked considerable interest among fans.

This appearance marks Lee Han-gyul’s fourth participation in competitive survival programs. His previous involvements include “Produce X 101” , KBS2’s “The Unit” (2017), and JTBC’s “Peak Time.” He has successfully debuted three times with the groups IM, X1, and BAE173.

Netizens have voiced their support, expressing hopes for his success this time around. Anticipation is building for what Lee Han-gyul will accomplish in “Starlight Boys.”

Following the disbandment of X1, former members Song Hyung-jun and Kang Min-hee have returned to their original agencies for re-debut, alongside Lee Eun-sang from the group Unite, who have also made their return to survival shows. They are currently competing in the ongoing Mnet program “Road to Kingdom 2.” Despite being from the same group, they are now competing as members of different teams.

“Road to Kingdom 2” showcases an intense performance battle among emerging boy groups, featuring a total of seven teams, including Cravity, Unite, The New Six, The Crew One, ATEN, ONEUS, and TEMPEST. The victorious team will secure an opportunity to participate in the subsequent program, “Kingdom 2.”

In a pre-airing interview for “Road to Kingdom 2,” Unite leader Lee Eun-sang remarked, “I’ve been running non-stop for three years (since debut).” He pointed out the struggle to get recognized as a member of Unite. Similarly, Song Hyung-jun expressed his frustration regarding Cravity’s ambiguous group positioning.

Despite the surfeit of groups debuting each year, few attain substantial popularity and sustain their activities. The support for idols and trainees who continuously challenge themselves through survival programs is steadily increasing, driven by their earnest dedication.

Source: Daum

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