# Universe Ticket

Universe Ticket (Korean: 유니버스 티켓) is a 2023–2024 South Korean reality competition show created by SBS. 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. 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.

## Concept

Universe Ticket follows the story of 82 contestants who will participate in a series of missions for a chance to debut in a global K-Pop girl group. Eight winners will be selected to form a project girl group targeting global audiences, with activities set both in the real world and in the metaverse. In January, it was stated that trainees from the age of 10 to 19 would be participating on the show, but when the audition recruitment was released in March, it stated any girls born before 2011 can participate. The show is intended to form an eight-member girl group with a contract of 2 years and 6 months.

## Promotion and broadcast

On March 2, 2023, the first teaser for the show was released. The applications for recruitment was from March 2, 2023 until May 14, 2023. The successful applicants to participate were notified between June 1 and June 10.
On July 13 and July 17, 2023, the contestants were revealed through profile teasers.
On August 21, 2023, former I.O.I and Gugudan member Kim Se-jeong, Girls' Generation's Hyoyeon, Itzy's Yeji and Chaeryeong, and soloist Younha and Adora joined the cast of the show as mentors.

## Cast
### Judges
#### Vocals

* Kim Se-jeong
* Younha
* Adora

#### Dance

* Rian of LaChica

#### Rap

* Kim Hyo-yeon

### Celebrity Mentors

* Hwang Ye-ji
* Lee Chae-ryeong

### MC

* Jang Sung-kyu (Episode 10)

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Original release date |
| 1 | "Episode.01: Beginning" (Korean: Episode.01: 시작) | November 18, 2023 (2023-11-18) |
| Universe Ticket is a reality competition where 82 young women showcase their talents to achieve their dreams of stardom. The journey begins with the revelation of rankings based on pre-show voting, setting the stage for intense competition. Next comes Battle Week, where the top 41 contestants select their opponents from those ranked 42-82. In high-stakes one-on-one battles, they showcase their vocal, dance, and performance skills to prove they deserve to stay. With only half of the contestants advancing, emotions run high as eliminations take place. Those who survive must continue refining their talents, striving for a coveted spot in the final lineup. |||
| 2 | "Episode.02: Revenge" (Korean: Episode.02: 복수) | November 25, 2023 (2023-11-25) |
| As "Battle Week" progresses, contestants are filled with both excitement and nervousness, knowing that each performance could determine their fate. Once the battle week concludes, the competition intensifies with the start of the "Revenge Battle." In this round, the contestants are split into two groups: the "Winners" and the "Challengers". Both groups are tasked with performing songs based on five different concepts: "Cute", "Enchanting", "Pure", "Sparkling", and "Charismatic". The teams will showcase their abilities by embodying these concepts, and the group with the best performance will win. The winning team will be rewarded with a chance to move on to the next round, but only four members will earn a direct pass to continue. The remaining contestants, both from the winning and losing teams, must rely on the votes to secure their spot in the next phase of the competition. |||
| 3 | "Episode.03: Tears" (Korean: Episode.03: 눈물) | December 2, 2023 (2023-12-02) |
| The "Revenge Battle" continues, pushing contestants to give their all as they fight to secure victory for their team. With the stakes higher than ever, each participant is fully dedicated to perfecting their performances, refining their vocals, mastering choreography, and embodying their assigned concept. As the competition heats up, emotions run high—some contestants feel the pressure mounting, while others draw strength from their determination to prove themselves. With every rehearsal and performance, they push their limits, knowing that only the best will earn a direct pass to the next round. Each moment on stage is a crucial opportunity to impress both the judges and the audience, making every decision, every movement, and every note count. |||
| 4 | "Episode.04: Ticket" (Korean: Episode.04: 티켓) | December 6, 2023 (2023-12-06) |
| Following the intense "Revenge Battle", a total of 39 contestants successfully advance to the next stage of the competition. With the stakes growing even higher, the next phase, "Universe: Road to Prism", is officially introduced. In this stage, contestants must climb through five hierarchical levels within PRISM, each representing a step closer to their ultimate goal. Every contestant begins at the same starting level, "M," but their rankings will shift based on their performances and the points they accumulate throughout the competition. ONly 8 contestants who advance to the "P" level will earn PRISM tickets and make their debut. As they progress, their skills, stage presence, and determination will be tested more than ever, pushing them to prove that they deserve to reach the top. |||
| 5 | "Episode.05: Competition" (Korean: Episode.05: 경쟁) | December 13, 2023 (2023-12-13) |
| The journey through "Universe: Road to PRISM" officially begins with its first major challenge, the "Level Station". In this stage, the contestants are evaluated individually and categorized into three ranks based on their overall skills and performance: "High", "Average", and "Low". Each ranking tier comes with different opportunities for advancement as well as risks of elimination. Contestants placed in the "High" category will see four members promoted to the next level, while two will face elimination. In the "Average" group, three contestants will be promoted, but an equal number of three will be eliminated. Meanwhile, those in the "Low" category face the greatest challenge, as only two will advance while four will be eliminated. To determine who will be promoted and who will be eliminated, each rank is further divided into two groups that will compete against each other. This additional layer of competition makes the stakes even higher, as contestants must outperform their direct competitors to secure their place in the next stage. With the number of promotions and eliminations varying across ranks, contestants must give their best performance to secure their spot in the competition. As the pressure intensifies, each decision and showcase becomes even more critical in determining their future on the Universe Ticket stage. |||
| 6 | "Episode.06: Growth" (Korean: Episode.06: 성장) | December 20, 2023 (2023-12-20) |
| The "Level Station" continues, and the competition grows even more intense. Contestants push themselves to the limit, determined to avoid elimination and secure their place in the next round. The pressure takes an emotional toll, and tears are shed as some face the stress of proving themselves while others struggle with uncertainty about their future in the show. The atmosphere is charged with tension, as every contestant knows that their fate hangs in the balance. |||
| 7 | "Episode.07: Promotion or Elimination" (Korean: Episode.07: 승급 혹은 탈락) | December 27, 2023 (2023-12-27) |
| After the "Level Station" concludes, it's time to place the contestants into their respective hierarchies within "Universe: Road to PRISM". The "Promotion Ceremony" introduces three distinct methods by which contestants can be promoted to higher ranks, each offering a different path to advancement. The first method is the "Unicorn Ticket", a highly coveted pass granted by the judges. This ticket is awarded to the contestants whose performances stand out the most, impressing the judges and earning them a direct promotion to the next level. The second method is "Fan Ticketing", where the power shifts to the fans. Based on their votes, fans can propel their favorite contestants forward, giving them a chance to move up the ranks. Finally, there’s the hidden "Candy Ticketing", a secret form of promotion that comes from the contestants themselves. This unique ticket allows fellow participants to vote for the contestants based on the given questions. However, for those who fail to secure promotion through any of these methods and remain stuck in rank "M," the consequences are harsh. These contestants will be eliminated from the competition, marking the end of their journey on Universe Ticket. With the pressure to advance mounting, every contestant must strive to secure their place in the next phase or face the risk of being sent home. |||
| 8 | "Episode.08: Rival" (Korean: Episode.08: 라이벌) | January 3, 2024 (2024-01-03) |
| After the "Level Station", the competition moves into the next phase: the "Unit Station". This stage consists of two parts: the "Position Unit" and the "New Song Unit". The episode kicks off with the "Position Unit", where contestants are given the opportunity to choose their respective units based on their strengths and skills. The available units are "Vocal", "Visual", and "Performance", each focusing on different aspects of a contestant’s talent. Contestants must carefully select the unit that best aligns with their abilities, as this decision will play a crucial role in their journey forward in the competition. Throughout this process, the judges will be observing closely and awarding "Unicorn Tickets" to contestants who stand out the most in their performances, granting them direct advancement and recognition for their exceptional skills. |||
| 9 | "Episode.09: Debut D-7" (Korean: Episode.09: 데뷔 D-7) | January 10, 2024 (2024-01-10) |
| Right after the "Position Unit", the final part of the "Unit Station" begins, marking the last performance before the highly anticipated "Final Station" of "Universe: Road to PRISM". In this stage, the contestants are divided into two groups, each given a new song composed specifically for the show. These songs provide a fresh challenge, allowing the contestants to showcase their versatility and growth throughout the competition. The elimination process is unique, as it involves a vote from the producers, judges, and the contestants themselves. If a contestant receives two or more elimination votes, they are immediately eliminated from the competition. However, if they receive just one vote, along with other candidates, they will enter a one-on-one battle to determine who will be sent home. At the end of this intense round, the promotion ceremony takes place, determining which contestants will move on to the next stage and ultimately become finalists. This marks a crucial turning point in the competition, as the remaining contestants fight to secure their spot in the grand finale. |||
| 10 | "Episode.10: D-day" | January 17, 2024 (2024-01-17) |
| The "Final Station" of "Universe: Road to PRISM" begins, bringing the competition to its thrilling climax. In this stage, there are two key concepts: "Dream" and "Prism", with the contestants split into two groups, each performing for one of these themes. The performances will be judged closely, with the judges awarding "Unicorn Tickets" to the standout performers who impress the most, granting them a direct promotion to the next level. After the performances, the most exceptional contestants will be chosen to form the final debut group, named "Unis", short for "U&I Story" and "Universe is Started." This group will represent the culmination of all the hard work and talent showcased throughout the competition, marking the ultimate achievement for the remaining contestants. |||

## Contestants

The spelling of names in English is according to the official website. The Korean contestants are presented in Eastern order (family name, given name).

### Color Key

82 contestants :
| Elisia (엘리시아) | Bang Yun-ha (방윤하) | Nana (ナナ) | Gehlee Dangca (젤리 당카) | Lim Seo-won (임서원) |
| Jin Hyeon-ju (진현주) | Oh Yoon-a (오윤아) | Kotoko (琴子) | Hwang Si-eun (황시은) | Lee Sun-woo (이선우) |
| Bae Ha-ram (배하람) | Kim Su-min (김수민) | Jeon Jin-yeong (전진영) | Narumi (なるみ) | Gabi (가비) |
| Yuri (ユリ) | Nizi (ニジ) | Kim Su-jin (김수진) | Goo Gyo-ryeon (구교련) | Bae Ye-ram (배예람) |
| Lee Hu-ran (이후란) | Jayla (ジェイラ) | Yona (요나) | Kwon Eun-hyung (권은형) | Heo Sun-bin (허선빈) |
| Lee Eun-chae (이은채) | Jang Sua (장수아) | Minari (ミナリ) | Idota Yui (井戸田ゆい) | Kim Soo-bin (김수빈) |
| Oh Da-eun (오다은) | Lee Soo-vin (이수빈) | Choi Hye-rin (최혜린) | Kwon Chae-won (권채원) | Nako (ナコ) |
| Vanesya (바네사) | Riel (리엘) | Park Ye-won (박예원) | Aya Natsumi (아야나츠미) | Alyssa (알리사) |
| Natchayathorn (나차야손) | Vu Linh Dan (Vũ Linh Đan) | Ahn Seung-bi (안승비) | Kim Seo-yeon (김서연) | Yoon Soo-in (윤수인) |
| Kim Hyo-jin (김효진) | Enny (애니; эни) | Choi Sung-eun (최성은) | Kim So-yul (김소율) | Choi Yeo-jin (최여진) |
| Anxin (安心) | Jeon Ji-eun (전지은) | Kim Chae-a (김채아) | Lee Su-an (이수안) | Oukikk (우키크) |
| Yukino (ユキノ) | Xiaoyu (小榆) | Pia (ピア) | Yamaguchi Yuriko (山口百合子) | Kim Hye-mi (김혜미) |
| Kim Yu-ri (김유리) | Laura (로라) | Jessica (제시카) | May (메이) | Jung Ji-won (정지원) |
| Honma Yuriko (本間ゆりこ) | Yang Eugene (양유진) | Lee Jin-e (이진이) | Jang Min-ju (장민주) | Kim Chae-won (김채원) |
| Cho Min-seo (조민서) | Zhou Jiaqi (周嘉琪) | Kwon Ye-jin (권예진) | Jeong Hui-gyeong (정희경) | Cho Chae-young (조채영) |
| Mila (ミラ) | Yu (ユウ) | Noh Yeon-woo (노연우) | Park Ye-hyeon (박예현) | Yoo Ye-na (유예나) |
| Izumi (いずみ) | Jang Su-bin (장수빈) | | | |

## Missions

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 will be chosen to form a project group aimed at international audiences, with activities taking place both in the real world and the metaverse. Here is a brief summary of the show's missions and their key points:

### Battle Week
#### 1-on-1 Battle:

* Contestants compete directly against each other.
* Participants demonstrate multiple skills simultaneously.
* Focus on vocal ability, dance precision, and stage presence.

#### Revenge Battle:

* Offers a second chance for the girls to survive.
* The girls are dividen into two groups, "Winners" and "Challengers."
* The winning team will be awarded a Unicorn Pass, but only four contestants will be granted the pass.

### Universe: Road to PRISM
#### Level Test and Level Station:

* The contestants are divided into 3 groups, "High," "Average," and "Low," each with different advancement and elimination odds.
* Each tier splits into two groups competing against each other.
* High rank contestants perform original songs, while Average and Low rank contestants perform song covers.

#### Unit Station - Position Unit:

* Contestants select from three units—"Vocal," "Visual," and "Performance"—based on their strengths.
* The choice of unit plays a crucial role in their competition progress.
* Judges closely evaluate each performance to identify standout contestants.
* Unicorn Tickets are awarded to exceptional performers, providing direct advancement and recognition.

#### Unit Station - New Song Unit:

* Contestants are divided into two groups, each performing a newly created song to showcase versatility and growth.
* Eliminations are determined by votes from producers, judges, and contestants.
* Contestants receiving two or more votes are eliminated.
* Those with one vote compete in a one-on-one battle to determine who stays.

#### Final Station:

* Final Station features two concepts: "Dream" and "Prism."
* Contestants are divided into groups to perform under each concept.
* Judges award Unicorn Tickets to standout performers.
* The final lineup is decided through fan votes and Unicorn Ticketing.

## Rankings
### Overall Ranking

Rankings in each round are based exclusively on online voting, with contestant placements determined by fan support.
Color key:
| # | Ep. 1 | Ep. 4 | Ep. 4 | Ep. 7 | Ep. 7 | Ep. 9 | Ep. 9 | Ep. 10 | Ep. 10 |
| # | Contestant | Contestant | Voting Points | Contestant | Voting Points | Contestant | Voting Points | Contestant | Voting Points |
| 1 | Riel | Vanesya | 12,593.9 | Elisia | 228,503.7 | Elisia | 553,483.4 | Elisia | — |
| 2 | Kwon Chae-won | Lee Sun-woo | 5,583.6 | Gehlee Dangca | 204,903.1 | Gehlee Dangca | 518,852.4 | Gehlee Dangca | 1,705,770 |
| 3 | Vanesya | Kwon Eun-hyung | 3,753.0 | Lim Seo-won | 172,272.2 | Oh Yoon-a | 140,747.0 | Jin Hyeon-ju | 305,215.8 |
| 4 | Vu Linh Dan | Choi Hye-rin | 3,689.9 | Gabi | 139,734.5 | Jin Hyeon-ju | 111,800.9 | Hwang Si-eun | 273,287.1 |
| 5 | Hwang Si-eun | Elisia | 3,499.8 | Nana | 121,707.2 | Lee Sun-woo | 91,723.4 | Kotoko | 252,482.5 |
| 6 | Jin Hyeon-ju | Riel | 3,393.9 | Lee Sun-woo | 113,915.0 | Jeon Jin-yeong | 89,763.7 | Oh Yoon-a | 251,957.5 |
| 7 | Gabi | Gehlee Dangca | 2,739.6 | Bang Yun-ha | 113,135.2 | Yuri | 84,794.6 | Lim Seo-won | 231,159.5 |
| 8 | Lee Sun-woo | Oh Yoon-a | 2,497.5 | Kotoko | 112,835.0 | Lim Seo-won | 78,783.2 | Bang Yun-ha | 200,906.3 |

### Prism Level Ranking

The overall rankings are determined by accumulated points, which include Unicorn Ticketing and Hidden Ticketing, influencing contestant advancement.

#### Color key

* New Top 8
* Unicorn Ticketing
* Producer Ticketing
* Unicorn and Hidden Ticketing
| # | Ep. 7 | Ep. 7 | Ep. 7 | Ep. 9 | Ep. 9 | Ep. 9 | Ep. 10 | Ep. 10 | Ep. 10 |
| # | Contestant | Points | Level | Contestant | Points | Level | Contestant | Voting Points | Level |
| 1 | Nana | 271,707.2 | R | Elisia | 781,987.1 | P | Elisia | PRISM Ticketing | P |
| 2 | Gehlee Dangca | 239,903.1 | I | Gehlee Dangca | 758,755.5 | R | Bang Yun-ha | 960,906 | P |
| 3 | Elisia | 228,503.7 | I | Lim Seo-won | 328,783.2 | R | Nana | 917,941 | P |
| 4 | Lim Seo-won | 172,272.2 | I | Nana | 326,948.9 | R | Gehlee Dangca | 2,464,526 | P |
| 5 | Bang Yun-ha | 148,135.2 | S | Oh Yoon-a | 220,222.8 | R | Lim Seo-won | 559,943 | P |
| 6 | Gabi | 139,734.5 | S | Kotoko | 218,019.9 | R | Jin Hyeon-ju | 496,797 | P |
| 7 | Lee Sun-woo | 113,915 | S | Bang Yun-ha | 217,703.1 | R | Oh Yoon-a | 472,180 | P |
| 8 | Kotoko | 112,835 | S | Kim Su-min | 208,870 | R | Kotoko | 470,502 | P |

### 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.
| # | Ep. 10 | Ep. 10 |
| # | Contestant | Voting Points |
| 1 | Elisia | PRISM Ticketing |
| 2 | Gehlee Dangca | 2,464,526 |
| 3 | Lim Seo-won | 559,943 |
| 4 | Jin Hyeon-ju | 496,797 |
| 5 | Nana | 484,889 |
| 6 | Oh Yoon-a | 472,180 |
| 7 | Kotoko | 470,502 |
| 8 | Hwang Sieun | 434,275 |

## 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

List of singles, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Album |
| "Come With Me? (Universe)" (같이 갈래? (Universe)) | 2023 | — | Universe Ticket - Come With Me? |
| "Ticket To You" | 2023 | — | Universe Ticket - Ticket To You |
| "Rush Hour" | 2023 | — | Universe Ticket - Level Station |
| "WHATEVA" | 2023 | — | Universe Ticket - Level Station |
| "Yummy Yum" | 2024 | | Universe Ticket - Unit Station |
| "Dream Girl" (꿈의 소녀) | 2024 | | Universe Ticket - Unit Station |
| "LOCO" | 2024 | | Universe Ticket - Unit Station |
| "Beautiful" | 2024 | | Universe Ticket - Unit Station |
| "Catallena" (까탈레나) | 2024 | | Universe Ticket - Unit Station |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. ||||

## Ratings

Average TV viewership ratings :
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Nielsen Korea (Nationwide) |
| 1 | November 18, 2023 | 1.1% |
| 2 | November 25, 2023 | 0.9% |
| 3 | December 2, 2023 | 0.7% |
| 4 | December 6, 2023 | 0.8% |
| 5 | December 13, 2023 | 0.5% |
| 6 | December 20, 2023 | 0.7% |
| 7 | December 27, 2023 | 0.6% |
| 8 | January 3, 2024 | 0.7% |
| 9 | January 10, 2024 | 0.7% |
| 10 | January 17, 2024 | 0.6% |
| Average | Average | 0.73% |
| In the table above, the red numbers represent the highest ratings and the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings. |||

## Aftermath

Unis debuted on March 27, 2024 with their mini album We Unis.
* Vanesya (36th) will debut in the global girl group NWH:I.
* Aya Natsumi (39th) will debut in the J-Pop group Benny, under the stage name Vivi.
* 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.
* Kwon Ye-jin (73rd) joined SW Entertainment, and will debut as a member of UDTT in 2025.