Produce 101 (season 2)

***Produce 101 Season 2*** (Korean: 프로듀스 101 시즌 2) was a 2017 boy group survival reality show on Mnet. The public (called 'national producers') "produces" a boy group by choosing 11 members among 101 trainees from 54 entertainment companies through online voting and live voting with multiple elimination rounds. The public also chose the group's concept, debut song and group name. In the season finale on June 16, 2017, which was broadcast live, the show announced the final 11 members who would debut as Wanna One. More than 16 million people cast their votes during the finale, equivalent to around 30% of South Korea's population.

## Concept

*Produce 101 Season 2* consisted of 101 male contestants, who were trainees under company labels, debuted idols, or individual trainees in South Korea. Though most contestants were Korean, there were some Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese participants In addition to those from other nations. In the final episode, 11 out of the top 20 contestants were chosen to form the show's "project group" through a national fan voting system. The group will promote for two years (ending December 31, 2018) under YMC Entertainment (also the label of I.O.I from *Produce 101 Season 1*). The top 35 performed with the winning team at a finale concert. The group will disband after their contracts end, allowing the members of the final lineup to return to their respective agencies.

Bigger agencies, including S.M., YG, and JYP chose not to send trainees to participate in the second season. YG Entertainment was, however, represented by four models under their subsidiary YGKPlus. The first season's main director Han Dong-chul also withdrew from the show due to other commitments.

For the boys' training, several artists were recruited for the show. Singers Lee Seok-hoon and Shin Yoo-mi were in charge of vocal training. Rappers Cheetah and Don Mills oversaw rap training. Kahi and Kwon Jae-seung oversaw dance training.

## Pre-show and promotions

On February 23, Mnet announced that BoA would be taking the MC role for this season, replacing Jang Keun-suk. She would be "acting as a messenger and a representative of the viewers". Later on the same day, the trainers were also announced. Mnet announced the official broadcast of the show, which would replace *High School Rapper'*s time slot, on March 8.

Soon after they had moved to their dorms on February 26, the participants started filming. A teaser video of who would be taking "center" (or lead role) for the first song was later revealed.

The contestants of *Produce 101 Season 2* appeared for the first time on Episode 514 of *M! Countdown* on March 9, 2017. The group was presented by BoA, and the members performed the EDM theme song "나야나 (Pick Me)". The "center" role was given to Brand New Music's 이대휘 (Lee Dae-hwi). Some participants had previously debuted through NU'EST, JJCC, HOTSHOT and Topp Dogg. Other participants also gained attention from National Producers such as ONO Entertainment's Jang Moon-bok, Maroo Entertainment's Park Ji-hoon, Fantagio's Ong Seongwoo and the youngest participant from Media Line Entertainment's Lee Woojin.

On March 31, the participants performed their single "나야나 (Pick Me)" at the Gocheok Sky Dome ahead of a baseball game between the LG Twins and the Nexen Heroes. In addition, Lee Dae-hwi threw the ceremonial first pitch to Brave Entertainment's Kim Samuel, at bat.

## Reference

1. ↑ Herman, Tamar (2017-11-12). K-Pop Audition Shows Produce Big Results, But Cause Concerns Over Industry's Future.
2. ↑ Template:Cite news
3. ↑ Produce 101 Season 2. Mnet. 7 Apr. 2017. TV Series.
4. ↑ Template:Cite news
5. ↑ Archived copy (Korean). Retrieved on 20 May 2017.
6. ↑ Template:Cite news
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11. ↑ Male trainees auditioning for 'Produce 101' have their very first special stage on 'M Countdown'. Retrieved on 1 April 2017.
12. ↑ 'Produce 101' Season 2 Contestants Shines on Their Very First Performance [WATCH] (2017-03-10). Retrieved on 2 June 2017.
13. ↑ Introducing 51 Of The "Produce 101" Season 2 Participants. Retrieved on 2 June 2017.
14. ↑ Current Ranking Of Top 22 "Produce 101 Season 2" Contestants (Based On Votes) Revealed. Retrieved on 2 June 2017.
15. ↑ Watch: "Produce 101 Season 2" Contestants Perform Theme Song And Throw First Pitch At Baseball Game. Retrieved on 2 June 2017.