Under Nineteen (언더나인틴), also known as Under 19 (언더19), was a 2018 reality survival show that aired on MBC.
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.
Judges[]
Contestants[]
Vocal group[]
| Name | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kang Junhyuk (강준혁) | 16 | N/A |
| Kim Keon (김건) | 16 | N/A |
| Kim Bin (김빈) | 18 | N/A |
| Kim Youngseok (김영석) | 14 | N/A |
| Kim Youngwon (김영원) | 17 | N/A |
| Kim Taewoo (김태우) | 18 | N/A |
| Kim Jungwoo (김정우) | 18 | N/A |
| Bae Hyunjun (배현준) | 14 | N/A |
| Shin Yechan (신예찬) | 16 | N/A |
| Yoon Doyeon (윤도연) | 17 | N/A |
| Yoon Taekyung (윤태경) | 16 | N/A |
| Lee Dongjun (이동준) | 18 | N/A |
| Lee Jaeeok (이재억) | 17 | N/A |
| Lim Hyungbin (임형빈) | 16 | N/A |
| Lim Yunseo (임윤서) | 17 | N/A |
| Jeon Chanbin (전찬빈) | 16 | N/A |
| Jung Jinsung (정진성) | 15 | N/A |
| Jay Chang (제이창) | 16 | N/A |
| Ji Jinseok (지진석) | 19 | N/A |
Rap group[]
| Name | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ku Hanseo (구한서) | 15 | N/A |
| Kim Yejun (김예준) | 16 | N/A |
| Kim Junjae (김준재) | 17 | N/A |
| Kim Sungho (김성호) | 17 | N/A |
| Nam Dohyon (남도현) | 13 | N/A |
| Park Sungwon (박성원) | 14 | N/A |
| Park Jino (박진오) | 16 | N/A |
| Bang Junhyuk (방준혁) | 13 | N/A |
| Yoo Yongha (유용하) | 18 | N/A |
| Lee Minwoo (이민우) | 16 | N/A |
| Lee Sangmin (이상민) | 15 | N/A |
| Lee Yechan (이예찬) | 12 | N/A |
| Lee Junhwan (이준환) | 18 | N/A |
| Jang Rui (장루이) | 17 | N/A |
| Jang Minsu (장민수) | 16 | N/A |
| Jung Taekhyun (정택현) | 14 | Former child actor. |
| Jung Hyunjun (정현준) | 17 | N/A |
| Choi Sumin (최수민) | 17 | N/A |
| Choi Yonghun (최용훈) | 18 | Member of T.E.N |
Performance group[]
| Name | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Kangmin (김강민) | 16 | N/A |
| Kim Shihyun (김시현) | 19 | Former contestant on Produce 101 Season 2 |
| Kim Junseo (김준서) | 16 | N/A |
| Min (민) | 17 | N/A |
| Park Shiyoung (박시영) | 14 | N/A |
| Son Jinha (손진하) | 16 | N/A |
| Song Byunghee (송병희) | 16 | N/A |
| Song Jaewon (송재원) | 16 | N/A |
| Suren (수런) | 13 | N/A |
| Shin Chanbin (신찬빈) | 16 | Former contestant on BOYS24 |
| Eddie (에디) | 19 | N/A |
| Oh Dahan (오다한) | 16 | N/A |
| Wumuti (우무티) | 18 | N/A |
| Lee Seunghwan (이승환) | 17 | N/A |
| Lee Jongwon (이종원) | 13 | Former child actor. |
| Jeon Doyeom (전도염) | 15 | N/A |
| Jung Wonbeom (정원범) | 18 | N/A |
| Koseuke (코스케) | 17 | N/A |
| Christian (크리스티안) | 18 | N/A |
Episodes[]
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. Taekhyeon 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 Sohyun broke the news about Ji Jinseok and Bang Junhyuk's departure due to health reasons. After the announcements, the trainees gather for a special segment called "The Trainee." With special MCs, Shindong and Yerin, 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.
Aftermath[]
- The final top 9 contestants officially debuted in the group 1THE9 on April 13, 2019.
- Originally set to disband on July 8, 2020, it was extended for another month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group then disbanded on August 8, 2020.
- After the group's disbandment, the members returned to their agency.
- Yoo Yongha (6th) and Kim Junseo (9th) debuted in the boy group WEi on October 5, 2020.
- Jung Jinsung (2nd) and Lee Seunghwan (8th) left Play M Entertainment on November 16, 2020.
- Park Sungwon (7th) debuted in the boy group Ciipher on March 15, 2021.
- Jeon Doyeom (1st) debuted in the boy group JUST B on June 30, 2021.
- Shin Yechan (4th) debuted in the boy group OMEGA X on June 30, 2021.
- Kim Taewoo (3rd) debuted in the boy group BLANK2Y on May 24, 2022.
Other contestants
- Kim Shihyun debuted in the boy group WE IN THE ZONE on May 27, 2019.
- Ji Jinseok (Left the show) made his solo debut on June 3, 2019.
- Nam Dohyon debuted in the boy group X1 on August 27, 2019.
- The group includes the finalists of Produce X 101.
- Eddie debuted in the co-ed group Lalary on August 29, 2019.
- Jang Rui debuted in the boy group Seven O'clock on November 12, 2019.
- Bang Junhyuk (Left the show) debuted in the boy group MCND on February 27, 2020.
- Lim Hyeongbin debuted in the boy band Bandage on April 3, 2020.
- Nam Dohyon re-debuted in the duo H&D on April 21, 2020.
- Kim Yejoon made his solo debut on July 10, 2020.
- Nam Dohyon re-debuted in the boy group BAE173 on November 19, 2020.
- Jay Chang made his solo debut on November 23, 2020. On November 30, 2023, he debuted as a member of the boy group ONE PACT.
- Choi Yonghun debuted in the boy group WOW on March 8, 2021.
- Lee Sangmin and Park Siyoung debuted in the boy group MIRAE on March 17, 2021.
- Song Byeonghee also debuted in the boy group JUST B on June 30, 2021
- Christian debuted in the Filipino boy group VXON on January 7, 2022 with his new stage name C13.
- Song Jaewon debuted in the boy group TEMPEST on March 2, 2022.
- Kim Jungwoo debuted in the boy group NINE.i on March 30, 2022.
- Lee Yechan debuted in the boy group xikers on March 30, 2023.
- Keon is set to debut as a member of the upcoming boy group DAYCHILD.
Discography[]
Digital singles[]
- "Battle of Title Song" (2018)
- "Under 19 Final" (2019)