Superstar K 2016
Superstar K 2016 () is the eighth current season of the South Korean television talent show series Superstar K, which premiered on 22 September 2016 on Mnet and airs every Thursday night at 9:40PM KST. Eliminations are determined in every episode, based on text message votes and online votes that are open to the entire public. The winner of Superstar K 2016 will receive 500,000,000 won (US$470,990). Kim Bum-soo had been confirmed return to appear on the show. Gummy, Gil Seong-joon, Kim Yeon-woo, Brave Brothers, Ailee, of FNC Entertainment have joined him in the  list of judges. The lineup is a mixture of veteran singers and producers in the industry. The judges will be separated into the categories of "Legendary Vocal", "Trendy Artist", and "Star Maker". The contestants will be judged not only on their vocals but their star power, public appeal, and potential. An Mnet representative stated, ""Superstar K 2016" will show the most change among all the "Superstar K" seasons. In order to show the audiences something new, we will be transforming the show all the way from the judging lineup. Please anticipate the new season." This is the first season to  be produced by Signal Entertainment Group for Mnet due to the 890 million won contract between the former and Mnet's owners CJ E&M in May 2016. Signal was the production company behind the hit but controversial Mnet girl group survival program "Produce 101". Winner Prize. 300₩ million cash prize + 200₩ million recording contract Album Debut Selection process. Audition Period: April 11, 2016 – July 10, 2016 For Korean Speakers: this season, the options of applying via KakaoTalk. also became available. For Non-Korean Speakers: Apply directly on mnet.com by uploading video of you singing. Click here for  the application page. In addition, in-person overseas auditions are planned to take place in the US at Shepard University in Los Angeles, Berklee College of Music in Boston, and Born Star Training Center in New York. competitors are given 20 seconds to appeal on their singing skills . Judges can press the "plus" button to extend the auditioner's singing time by 10 seconds and one can only allow a maximum of 30 seconds. However, if the singer fails to receive more time, the four Judges' Approvals can pass the singer to the next round, of He the Automatically drops  OUT, even if the singer was given the full minute and 30 seconds to perform on stage. Ratings. In the ratings below, the highest rating for the show will be in and the lowest rating for the show will be in .