Idol School (2017 TV series)
| Idol School | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | An Joon-young |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language(s) | Korean |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Shin Yoo-sun |
| Distributor | CJ E&M |
| Release | |
| Original network | Mnet |
| Original release | July 13, 2017 |
Idol School is a 2017 reality girl group survival show on Mnet. It is a program that aims to form a 9-member girl group out of 41 female participants, training them in singing and dancing in the span of 11 weeks.[1]
While branded as being similar to another Mnet survival program, Produce 101, the show differs from it in its participants, voting system, and number of winners that will form the final group.
Concept
While promoted as a survival program, Idol School, as its name suggests, is similar to an actual school wherein for a total of 11 weeks, the participants will receive lessons in not only singing and dancing, but also the history of K-pop and everything that comes with being an idol in South Korea, such as mental training and appearing in public. Produce Shin Yuseon stated that they started recruiting participants in April 2017. Only female trainees age 11 and above who are not trainees of any entertainment company are allowed to join. The producer also clarified that former trainees and even former singers were also given the chance to participate. This caused some controversy as some people felt that it goes against its concept of 'training ordinary students' but despite this, a number of female participants who have previously trained under entertainment companies have made the cut.[1] Viewers will vote live every episode and the students' 'grades' will be completely determined by it.[2]
Super Junior member Kim Hee-chul would act as the show's 'homeroom teacher' while veteran actor Lee Soon-jae would be the principal of the school. The participants will be taught by several teachers: Singer and former S.E.S member Bada will be a vocal trainer along with S.M. Entertainment vocal trainer Jang Jin-young. Dance will be taught by choreographer Park Jun-hee and singer Stephanie. Black Eyed Pilseung will produce the music.[1]
