[Edaily Starin KIM HYUNSIK Reporter] This time, “Netflix’s Daughters” are set to debut. Global online video service (OTT) Netflix is set to produce a girl group survival show. All eyes are on whether Netflix’s entry into the market will breathe new life into the K-pop idol survival genre.

The K-pop idol survival market has long been dominated by CJ ENM’s music channel, Mnet. Mnet has recently maintained its influence through the “Girls Planet” and “Boys Planet” series, which chronicle the formation of girl groups and boy groups, respectively. The format involves broadcasting the process by which contestants compete for a chance to debut, and then debuting groups formed based on viewer votes. Groups born through this process continue their activities under labels affiliated with CJ ENM. This is why the members of these groups are affectionately referred to as “Mnet’s daughters” and “Mnet’s sons.”
This year, Mnet also debuted Alpha Drive One through “Boys2Planet,” the second season of “Boys Planet.”
Preparations for “Girls Planet 2027,” slated to air next year, have also begun early. Global recruitment for participants began last May, and as of August, the number of applicants had surpassed 40,000. About one-third of all applicants came from the Americas, including North, Central, and South America. To support the debut group’s activities in the U.S. and globally, Mnet has also established a global partnership with Republic Collective, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.
Amid this, news broke on the 21st that Netflix is producing the girl group survival show “We Go High.” This marks the first time Netflix has directly produced a K-pop idol survival program in South Korea. Netflix has partnered with SM C&C to produce the show, aiming for a release in the first half of next year, and has already begun recruiting participants and conducting pre-launch promotions.
A key feature of “We Go High” is that it targets current students at Korean arts high schools. Unlike existing programs where contestants from various countries and backgrounds compete, this show focuses on the growth and journey toward debut of high school students preparing for careers in the arts.
Netflix plans to release “We Go High” through its service network spanning over 190 countries worldwide. SM C&C will be responsible for the development, management, and support of the group formed through the program. To this end, the two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for strategic collaboration. SM C&C, an affiliate of SM Entertainment, has primarily focused on managing variety show personalities, but it is currently expanding its business into the music industry—most recently by producing the SBS singer audition program “Our Ballad” and managing the top-ranking contestants.

◇“We Go High” vs. “Girls Planet 2027”… Attention on the Emerging Competition
As Mnet and Netflix are both preparing girl group survival shows, attention is turning to the success of both programs. However, since neither program has announced a specific release schedule, it remains to be seen whether their airing dates will overlap.
There are also voices in the music industry expressing anticipation for the arrival of these new programs. This is because they could provide new opportunities not only for trainees and aspiring singers affiliated with various agencies but also for singers who have already debuted but have yet to make a name for themselves with the public.
Mr. A, the CEO of a music agency, expressed a positive outlook on the two programs, stating, “While some criticize the repetitive nature of survival-style idol audition shows by calling them ‘Another Audition,’ the public always wants to see new personalities and group combinations.” He added, “From the perspective of each agency sending trainees to participate, even if they don’t make it into the debut group, they can gain momentum for their activities based on the public interest generated through the program.”
Idol survival programs have been consistently produced not only by Mnet but also by other broadcasters. Over the past three years, shows such as SBS’s “Universe Ticket,” “Universe League,” and “Be My Boys,” JTBC’s “Project 7,” and KBS 2TV’s “Make Mate One” have aired.
The key question is whether Netflix can attract viewers’ attention with content that stands out from existing programs. Another important challenge is translating the program’s buzz into tangible success for the debuting group.
Given that many groups formed through survival shows are active in the music industry, long-term success cannot be guaranteed solely by the recognition and fanbase gained through the broadcast. Recently, there has been a growing trend of existing groups extending their activity periods or debuting with long-term contracts from the outset.
Music industry insider B stated, “What matters is what kind of content they present after their debut and how they continue to grow,” adding, “The value of idol survival shows lies not merely in selecting the debut group, but in creating opportunities for them to grow continuously.”