Under Nineteen


Under Nineteen is a survival show on Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation for trainees under the age of 19 years old. There are a total of 57 contestants competing to debut as a member of 1THE9. The trainees are put into groups that specializes in vocals, rapping, and performance.

Concept

Under Nineteen introduces singers, rappers, dancers and also trainees with the ability to produce music and choreograph. 57 aspiring boy band members will come to compete for a spot to be in a new K-pop idol group. Once down to the final 19 trainees only 9 of them will have the chance of being the next idol group. The winning group will sign a contract for 12 months and be managed by MBK Entertainment.

Directors

Episode 1 (November 3, 2018)

57 trainees, who aspire to become the next K-pop idol, divide up into three groups of 19. Vocal Team, Rap Team, and Performance Team all show off what they can do in their first Ranking Evaluation. The directors watch and evaluate their performances and give them a score. According to their scores, they are ranked in their team. These rankings will prove to be important for the first mission.

Episode 2 (November 10, 2018)

The trainees from Rap team, Vocals team, and Performance team present their own unique stages to be ranked in their team. The trainees compete against each other and the ranking keeps changing. After that, the trainees move to the training camp to go through special training sessions.

Episode 3 (November 17, 2018)

Each team is given a theme song for this next mission. Their parts are divided amongst the members according to their rankings. Much to their displeasure, the parts are mostly given to the high-ranking members. However, they are told that there will be a Judgment Day where the members can take one another's parts. Some will gain parts while others will lose them. The Vocal team performed their song "Go Tomorrow" and was ranked by the in studio audience and online viewers. Upon the airing of this episode, all three songs each team performed had a music video released.

Episode 4 (November 24, 2018)

After the Vocal team's performance, the remaining two teams are nervous. In the midst of the overwhelming atmosphere, the Performance team takes the stage. We get a sneak peek at what their practices were like. Despite the best dancers being in one team, they go through a lot of struggles and get reprimanded on their attitude. It's Judgment Day, and many of the low-ranking members challenge the members with parts for an opportunity to stand in the spotlight.

Episode 5 (December 1, 2018)

With just two days left before the final performance, Team Rap is in a lot of trouble. In the eyes of their directors, they are unprepared for their performance, and the tension causes a rift between the members. After the final performance, the trainees gather to hear the results of the on-site voting as well as their second mission, position evaluation. They are given 30 K-Pop songs and each team gets to perform 2 songs of their directors choice.

Episode 6 (December 8, 2018)

In the midst of preparing for their second ranking evaluation, the 57 trainees are faced with the reality that they must say goodbye to 8 members. With Team Performance in first place, they can focus solely on their second performance, but Team Rap and Team Vocals cannot ignore the fact that they could be eliminated.

Episode 7 (December 15, 2018)

As there are two teams for each position, the Position Competition is divided into Round 1 and Round 2. After the devastating loss of almost half their members, Team Rap's Team “H.E.R” faces a crisis in their performance. During the rehearsals, everyone is intimidated by Team Vocals’ Team “I Need U”. In a twist of fate, Team Performance and Team Rap go back to back in their performance of “H.E.R”.

Episode 8 (December 22, 2018)

The three teams prepare for Round 2. With Team Rap in the lead, the other two teams are prepared to do their best to beat them. However, during their Interim Evaluations, the directors of Team Rap and Team Vocals are disappointed with the quality and decide that changes must be made to win.

Episode 9 (December 29, 2018)

The trainees take a break from their preparations to show off their various charms for Christmas. Super Junior's Shindong and Leeteuk as well as GFRIEND’s Yerin make a guest appearance as MCs for a special corner called "Weekly Trainees". The trainees compete with each other to win prizes to enjoy while being in the training center. Also, the Second Ranking Announcement is held, and the trainees must say goodbye to nine people.

Episode 10 (January 5, 2019)

This time the three teams are combined into 6 units to compete with one another for a benefit of 10,000 votes. The combinations of each unit was chosen by fans on the online voting system for the following songs: "Fake Love" by BTS, "Growl" by Exo, "Sherlock" by SHINee, "Fiction" by BEAST, "Mirotic" by TVXQ and "Be Mine" by INFINITE. They must prepare a performance with an internationally ranked song. Yesterday's friend becomes today's enemy as the mission gets heated up. Taek Hyeon shows off his MC skills when the units choose their competitor. Special director J-Hope stops by to help the "Fake Love" team with the choreography and gives his expertise.

Episode 11 (January 12, 2019)

The results for the first round of the Shuffle Mission are revealed. Unit “Fiction” goes up against Unit “Be Mine”, and Unit “Sherlock” goes up against Unit “Growl”. During practice, there is trouble between the members of Unit “Fiction”, and it is apparent even on stage during the rehearsals. Unit “Sherlock” is upset for being treated as the weakest link and practices really hard to beat Unit “Growl”. Meanwhile, Kai from EXO gives tips to Unit “Growl”.

Episode 12 (January 19, 2019)

It's the last mission before the live broadcast. Among the remaining trainees, only 25 will make it to the Collaboration Mission. During the Third Ranking Announcement, So Hyun has a surprising announcement regarding the dismissal of one of the trainees for misconduct. The Collaboration Mission begins, and each team and their directors put on the performance of a lifetime. Knowing it might be their last shot, everyone works hard to leave no regrets.

Episode 13 (January 26, 2019)

It's the day of the Fourth Ranking Announcement, and the top 19 trainees have been determined. During the announcement So Hyun broke the news about Ji Jin-seok and Bang Jun-hyuk's departure due to health reasons. After the announcements, the trainees gather for a special segment called "The Trainee." With special MCs, Shindong and Ye Rin, we get a look at the trainees’ first audition, their work fashion, and a prank that shows their character. The trainees laugh and enjoy themselves one last time before the final live broadcast.

Episode 14 (February 9, 2019)

After months of blood, sweat, and tears put into this competition, UNDER NINETEEN is finally coming to an end. Today is the long-awaited live broadcast to find out who will make it into the final 9 and debut. The trainees divide up into two groups to perform new songs. There is tension in the air as it's their last chance to gain the support of their fans and debut. Who will make it into the top nine and debut as 1the9?

Contestants

;Color key
Top 9
Contestants eliminated in the final episode
Contestants eliminated in the fourth rounds of eliminations
Contestants eliminated in the third rounds of eliminations
Contestants eliminated in the second rounds of eliminations
Contestants eliminated in the first rounds of eliminations
Contestants that left the show

Rankings

The top 9 contestants were determined by online and onsite voting, the results of which were announced at the end of each episode. The top 9 contestants at the final vote determined the final group.
;Color key
New Top 9

#Episode 6Episode 9Episode 12Episode 13Episode 14
1WumutiWumuti =Jeon Do-yum ↑4Jeon Do-yum =Jeon Do-yum =
2Kim Shi-hyunKim Sung-ho ↑18Jung Jin-sung ↑9Jung Jin-sung =Jung Jin-sung =
3Jeon Do-yumChoi Soo-min ↑5Shin Ye-chan ↑3Wumuti ↓2Kim Tae-woo ↑3
4Jung Jin-sungYoon Tae-kyung ↑6Lee Seung-hwan ↑8Yoo Yong-ha ↑4Shin Ye-chan ↑1
5Shin Ye-chanJeon Do-yum ↓2Bang Jun-hyuk ↑5Shin Ye-chan ↓2Jeong Taek-hyeon ↑4
6SurenShin Ye-chan ↓1Park Sung-won ↑1Kim Tae-woo ↑6Yoo Yong-ha ↓2
7Ji Jin-seokPark Sung-won ↑30Jeong Taek-hyeon ↑11Kim Shi-hyun ↑6Park Sung-won ↑3
8Choi Soo-minLee Sang-min ↑26Yoo Yong-ha ↑6Lee Seung-hwan ↓4Lee Seung-hwan =
9Bang Jun-hyukJi Jin-seok ↓2Ji Jin-seok =Jeong Taek-hyeon ↓2Kim Jun-seo ↑2

Result

During the last episode aired on February 9, 2019, Kim So-hyun and Leeteuk announced the unit boy band's name: 1THE9.

Missions

Theme Song Mission (Episode 3–5)

#TeamSongVotes
1Performance"We Are Young"253
2Vocal"Go Tomorrow"201
3Rap"Friends"185

Position Mission (Episode 6–8)

Color key
#TeamGroupOriginal artistSongContestantVotesTotal votes
1VocalABTS"I Need U"Kang Jun-hyuck214455
1VocalABTS"I Need U"Kim Jung-woo214455
1VocalABTS"I Need U"Lim Hyeong-bin214455
1VocalABTS"I Need U"Jeon Chan-bin214455
1VocalABTS"I Need U"Jung Jin-sung214455
1VocalABTS"I Need U"Ji Jin-seok214455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Kim Kun241455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Kim Young-seok241455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Kim Young-won241455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Kim Tae-woo241455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Bae Hyeon-jun241455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Shin Ye-chan241455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Yoon Tae-kyung241455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Lee Dong-joon241455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Lee Jae-eok241455
1VocalBEXO"Love Me Right"Lim Youn-seo241455
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Kim Kang-min223450
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Park Si-young223450
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Song Byeong-hee223450
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Song Jae-won223450
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Suren223450
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Shin Chan-bin223450
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Eddie223450
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Oh Da-han223450
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Lee Seung-hwan223450
2PerformanceABlock B"H.E.R"Christian223450
2PerformanceBVIXX"Shangri-La"Kim Shi-hyun227450
2PerformanceBVIXX"Shangri-La"Kim Jun-seo227450
2PerformanceBVIXX"Shangri-La"Min227450
2PerformanceBVIXX"Shangri-La"Son Jin-ha227450
2PerformanceBVIXX"Shangri-La"Wumuti227450
2PerformanceBVIXX"Shangri-La"Lee Jong-won227450
2PerformanceBVIXX"Shangri-La"Jeon Do-yum227450
2PerformanceBVIXX"Shangri-La"Jeong Won-beom227450
2PerformanceBVIXX"Shangri-La"Kosuke227450
3RapABlock B"H.E.R"Kim Sung-ho236437
3RapABlock B"H.E.R"Park Sung-won236437
3RapABlock B"H.E.R"Bang Jun-hyuk236437
3RapABlock B"H.E.R"Jang Rui236437
3RapABlock B"H.E.R"Jung Hyun-jun236437
3RapABlock B"H.E.R"Choi Soo-min236437
3RapBNCT U"Boss"Koo Han-seo201437
3RapBNCT U"Boss"Kim Ye-joon201437
3RapBNCT U"Boss"Nam Do-hyon201437
3RapBNCT U"Boss"Park Jin-oh201437
3RapBNCT U"Boss"Yoo Yong-ha201437
3RapBNCT U"Boss"Lee Sang-min201437
3RapBNCT U"Boss"Lee Ye-chan201437
3RapBNCT U"Boss"Jeong Taek-hyeon201437

Shuffle Mission (Episode 10–11)

Color key
Leader
RoundTeamOriginal artistSpecial directorSongContestantVotes
11TVXQ"Mirotic"Lee Seung-hwan289
11TVXQ"Mirotic"Wumuti289
11TVXQ"Mirotic"Kim Tae-woo289
11TVXQ"Mirotic"Song Byeong-hee289
11TVXQ"Mirotic"Yoo Yong-ha289
11TVXQ"Mirotic"Lee Dong-jun289
12BTSJ-Hope"Fake Love"Shin Ye-chan373
12BTSJ-Hope"Fake Love"Jeon Do-yum373
12BTSJ-Hope"Fake Love"Yoon Tae-kyung373
12BTSJ-Hope"Fake Love"Kim Jun-seo373
12BTSJ-Hope"Fake Love"Lim Hyeong-bin373
12BTSJ-Hope"Fake Love"Lee Sang-min373
12BTSJ-Hope"Fake Love"Kang Jun-hyuk373
23INFINITE"Be Mine"Kim Shi-hyun335
23INFINITE"Be Mine"Kim Young-seok335
23INFINITE"Be Mine"Bae Hyun-jun335
23INFINITE"Be Mine"Taek-hyeon335
23INFINITE"Be Mine"Son Jin-ha335
23INFINITE"Be Mine"Lee Jae-eok335
23INFINITE"Be Mine"Min335
24Beast"Fiction"Shin Chan-bin303
24Beast"Fiction"Ji Jin-seok303
24Beast"Fiction"Choi Soo-min303
24Beast"Fiction"Jeon Chan-bin303
24Beast"Fiction"Lee Jongwon303
24Beast"Fiction"Kim Sung-ho303
35SHINee"Sherlock"Kim Young-won174
35SHINee"Sherlock"Lee Ye-chan174
35SHINee"Sherlock"Kim Kun174
35SHINee"Sherlock"Christian174
35SHINee"Sherlock"Lim Yoon-seo174
35SHINee"Sherlock"Park Jin-oh174
35SHINee"Sherlock"Oh Da-han174
36EXOKai"Growl"Song Jae-won454
36EXOKai"Growl"Jung Jin-sung454
36EXOKai"Growl"Bang Jun-hyuk454
36EXOKai"Growl"Kim Jung-woo454
36EXOKai"Growl"Park Si-young454
36EXOKai"Growl"Suren454
36EXOKai"Growl"Park Sung-won454

Collaboration Mission (Episode 12)

Discography

Singles

Ratings

In the table below, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientsResultRef.
201818th MBC Entertainment AwardsExcellence Award, Music/Talk Category Kim So-hyun