Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Universe Ticket
2023–2024 South Korean reality competition series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Universe Ticket (Korean: 유니버스 티켓) is a 2023–2024 South Korean reality competition show created by SBS.[3] It was intended to form an eight-member girl group with a contract of 2 years and 6 months. The final group, UNIS, debuted under F&F Entertainment, a newly established entertainment company related to the clothing brand of the same name, F&F.[4] The show aired on SBS TV from November 18, 2023, to January 17, 2024, every Friday at 18:00 (KST) for the first episode, then changed to 17:00 (KST) time slot for the second episode, before it changed to Wednesday (December 6) at 22:40 (KST) onwards.
A second season named Universe League features an all male contestants with a different format that aired starting November 2024.[5]
Remove ads
Production
Summarize
Perspective
Conception and development
Universe Ticket is a South Korean reality television show that features 82 contestants competing for a chance to debut in a global K-pop girl group. The program includes a series of missions and evaluations designed to assess the participants' singing, dancing, and overall performance abilities. The competition will ultimately result in the selection of eight final members, who will form a project-based girl group aimed at promoting to a global audience. The group will be active under a contract of 2 years and 6 months.[6] The group formed through the show will carry out activities in both the real world and the metaverse, incorporating virtual content and digital fan interactions as part of their official promotions. This dual concept reflects the increasing integration of technology and entertainment within the K-pop industry. The first teaser for the show was released on March 2, 2023. Further details about the format, mentors, and broadcast schedule were gradually revealed leading up to the show's official premiere.
Casting
In January 2023, it was initially announced that the show would feature trainees between the ages of 10 and 19. However, when the official audition recruitment began in March 2023, the eligibility criteria were adjusted to allow any girls born before 2011 to apply. The application period for auditions ran from March 2 to May 14, 2023. After the application phase closed, successful applicants were individually notified between June 1 and June 10, 2023.
The profiles of the selected 82 contestants were introduced to the public through teaser videos released in two batches, on July 13 and July 17, 2023.[7] These teasers served as an initial presentation to help viewers begin to familiarize themselves with the participants through their visuals, allowing fans to form early impressions of the participants ahead of the show's premiere.
On August 21, 2023, it was officially announced that several well-known K-pop artists would join the program as mentors. These included Kim Se-jeong, a former member of I.O.I and Gugudan; Hyoyeon of Girls' Generation; Yeji and Chaeryeong of Itzy; and solo artists Younha and Adora.[8] Their involvement was confirmed ahead of the show's premiere as part of the main mentorship lineup.
During the show, the mentors were assigned specific roles based on their areas of expertise. Kim Se-jeong, Younha, and Adora served as vocal judges, while Rian of dance crew LaChica joined as the dance judge. Hyoyeon took on the role of rap judge. Yeji and Chaeryeong participated as celebrity mentors, offering general guidance and support to the contestants. Additionally, Jang Sung-kyu appeared as the emcee during Episode 10.
Competition format and voting
The show centers on 82 contestants competing in a series of missions for the opportunity to debut in a global K-pop girl group. Eight finalists are ultimately selected to form a project group aimed at international audiences, with activities conducted both in the real world and the metaverse. The competition begins with Battle Week, where contestants engage in a 1-on-1 battle using their audition songs. Higher-ranked contestants (1st–41st) choose opponents from the lower half (42nd–82nd), with performances evaluated on vocal ability, dance precision, and stage presence. A Revenge Battle follows, offering a second chance through team-based competition between "Winners" and "Challengers," with only four members receiving a Unicorn Pass for advancement. The next phase, Universe: Road to PRISM, includes a Level Test and Level Station, categorizing contestants into "High," "Average," and "Low" groups, each with differing advancement odds. High-ranked contestants perform original songs, while others perform covers, and compete within their tiers. For the next round, two stages were introduced in the Unit Station: the Position Unit and the New Song Unit. In Position Unit, participants choose between "Vocal," "Visual," and "Performance" units based on their strengths, with standout contestants earning Unicorn Tickets. In New Song Unit, participants are grouped to perform original songs, with eliminations based on votes from producers, judges, and fellow contestants. Those receiving two or more elimination votes are removed, while those with one vote undergo a 1-on-1 battle to determine their fate. The final phase, Final Station, involves performances under two concepts, "Dream" and "Prism," where judges award final Unicorn Tickets. The show concludes with the selection of the final lineup through a combination of fan votes and Unicorn Ticketing, leading to the debut of the eight-member girl group Unis.
Remove ads
Cast
- Unicorns (Judges):
- Kim Se-jeong (All-Rounder Unicorn, Vocal Mentor)
- Younha (Artist Unicorn, Vocal Mentor)
- Adora (Artist Unicorn, Vocal Mentor)
- Rian (Performance Unicorn, Dance Mentor)
- Hyoyeon (Girl Group Unicorn, Rap Mentor)
- Celebrity Unicorns:
- Chaeryeong & Yeji (Wannabe Unicorn, MCs: Ep. 1-2, Special Trainers: Ep. 2-3)
Contestants
Summarize
Perspective
The spelling of names in English is according to the official website.[9] The Korean contestants are presented in Eastern order (family name, given name).
- Color Key:
| Final member of Unis | |
| Contestants eliminated in the final elimination round (Episode 10) | |
| Contestants eliminated in the fourth elimination round (Episode 9) | |
| Contestants eliminated in the third elimination round (Episode 7) | |
| Contestants eliminated in the second elimination round (Episode 5/6) | |
| Contestants eliminated in the first elimination round (Episode 4) | |
| Contestants that left the show | |
Remove ads
Episodes
Remove ads
Rankings
Summarize
Perspective
Overall Ranking
Rankings in each round are based exclusively on online voting, with contestant placements determined by fan support.
Color key:
| New Top 8[a] |
Prism Level Ranking
The overall rankings are determined by accumulated points, which include Unicorn Ticketing and Hidden Ticketing, influencing contestant advancement.
- Color key
Final Prism Ticketing & Fan Ticketing Ranking
The points accumulated are based on Fan Ticketing from the first voting period up until the last. However, this total does not include the Unicorn Ticket that contestants may have received during the competition.
Remove ads
Discography
The theme song "Come With Me? (Universe)" was recorded and performed by the contestants. It was released on October 8, 2023, on digital music platforms.
Singles
Remove ads
Reception
Summarize
Perspective
Viewership ratings
According to Nielsen Korea, Universe Ticket maintained an average nationwide viewership rating of 0.5% throughout its broadcast from November 2023 to January 2024. The show's highest-rated episode reached 1.1%, while the lowest dropped to 0.5%. Its final episode, aired on January 17, 2024, also recorded a 0.5% rating.[10] Overall, the program experienced limited domestic viewership during its run.
Business impact
The program was produced by F&F Entertainment in collaboration with SBS and marks F&F's first major venture into the K-pop entertainment sector.[11] According to media reports, F&F invested over ₩10 billion to produce Universe Ticket alone, underscoring a significant commitment given that the company's initial capital was only ₩2 billion.[12] This level of investment was aligned with F&F's broader strategy to diversify beyond fashion—leveraging its entertainment subsidiary to create cross-promotional synergies between its clothing business and the newly formed girl group, Unis. Industry insiders note that despite low domestic ratings, the show generated international engagement and provided brand exposure across multiple markets. This emphasis on long-term return aligns with the broader trend of K-pop survival programs, where initial losses are often recovered through global fandom, merchandise, and extended content strategies .
Remove ads
Aftermath
Unis debuted on March 27, 2024 with their mini album We Unis.[13]
Other contestants
- Vanesya (36th) will debut in the global girl group NWH:I.[14]
- Aya Natsumi (39th) will debut in the J-Pop group Benny, under the stage name Vivi.[15]
- Kim Chae-won (70th) joined Modhaus, and was revealed as TripleS' 21st member on April 1, 2024. She made her debut with TripleS on May 8 the same year.[16]
- Kwon Ye-jin (73rd) joined SW Entertainment, and will debut as a member of UDTT in 2025.[17]
- Jeon Jin-young (13th) and Lee Soo-vin (32nd) have joined girl group Queenz Eye on July 9, 2025, under the stage names Jinyul and Seovin respectively.[18]
Remove ads
Notes
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads