SBS Global Girls Audition "UNIVERSE TICKET" first episode aired, featuring 82 participants from around the world.
November/20/2023 17:02
The SBS Global Girls Audition program "UNIVERSE TICKET" was first broadcast on the 18th. In the first episode, the first meeting of 82 participants from around the world who gathered to fulfill their dream of becoming a K-POP singer was depicted. Prior to the full-fledged battle, a ranking announcement ceremony was held. The ranking this time was determined by a pre-vote conducted in July through the pre-release of profiles. "Trot Fairy" Im So-won ranked 9th, and Fan Si-woon, who attracted attention in the preview video, ranked 5th. Among the announced rankings, Liel from Myanmar attracted attention by winning 1st place. The first battle was a 1-on-1 nomination battle where participants in the upper ranks chose opponents they thought they could beat from among the participants in the lower ranks, which increased the excitement of the program from the start. Participant Koto, who ranked 18th as an "insa (abbreviation for insider, popular person)," appeared with a cute charm and livened up the atmosphere. Loved by the participants, Koto appealed with a comfortable and energetic performance by selecting TWICE's Nayeon's "POP!" Hyoyeon of Girls' Generation said, "I feel like I understand why the participants like her. She has a charm that you can feel just by her presence. When I was a trainee, it was the part I was most envious of." Nana, who is in charge of visuals in PRIKIL, born from the girl group debut survival program "Who is Princess?" and ranked 19th, showed confidence by saying, "My goal is to be the center of 'UNIVERSE TICKET'." After watching her perform "Gashina" by former Wonder Girls member Sunmi, Kim Se-jong evaluated her as "a member who could be the center." Yuna, who ranked 31st, perfectly performed the song and rap of ITZY's "SNEAKERS" as a "unicorn (judge and supporter of the program)," and was recognized by the unicorns. Yeji of ITZY showed satisfaction by saying, "She understands the point of this song," and Yuna praised, "It's so proud that my name is the same as hers." Im So-won, who appeared on TV Chosun's "Mistrot 2" and is called "Little Won-young," attracted attention as a participant, and was mentioned as a person that the participants are wary of. She chose BoA's "Atlantis Princess" and not only perfectly performed the song but also the dance, proving once again that she is a strong performer. Hyoyeon expressed her expectations for Im So-won's future by saying, "I want to cast her." On the other hand, the stages of the popular participants, former DIA member Eunchae (real name: Kwon Che-won) and Busters' Jiun, received harsh criticism from the unicorns. The participants with idol experience appeared glamorously on stage, but their unstable pitch and lack of dance technique were noticeable. Unicorn Kim Se-jong said, "Even if you are immature on stage, your true abilities should not be visible. I think an idol is someone who must make the stage perfect by shedding blood, sweat, and tears," and gave a harsh evaluation by saying, "Even if you are immature, you have to complete it. I think both of you need to practice a lot."
Related Articles
On the morning of the 18th, the first part of the 2026 Seoul Animal Happiness Festa foster-parent system event was held at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo District. On the red carpet, WINNER’s Kang Seung Yoon, former MOMOLAND member Yeonwoo, Brown Eyed Girls’ JeA, Sung Hoon, EPEX’s Baekseung and MU, KINKY, choreographer Lia Kim, and Stella Jang attended.
On the afternoon of the 16th, DIESEL held a one-year anniversary event for its flagship store in Hannam-dong, Seoul, attended by TWICE’s Jihyo, NCT’s Jeno, Lee Dong-hwi, Hong Hwa-yeon, and Groovy Room. The text also includes promotional notices for milktouch and NCT DREAM.
The 2026 Music Bank Global Festival in Japan will be held on December 12 and 13, 2026 at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium). New artists announced include NiziU, INI, xikers, ZEROBASEONE, TWS, NEXZ, KickFlip, AEN, and TUIDE, with performance dates revealed. Tickets and premium lounge options are on sale.
The 2026 Music Bank Global Festival in Japan will be held on December 12 and 13, 2026 at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium). New artists announced include NiziU, INI, xikers, ZEROBASEONE, TWS, NEXZ, KickFlip, AEN, and TUIDE, with performance dates revealed. Tickets and premium lounge options are on sale.
TWICE’s Mina, Billlie’s Tsuki, and WINNER’s Kang Seung-yoon attended the opening event for fragrance brand Velvet Bunny’s flagship store pop-up in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 14th.
On the afternoon of the 13th, a launch event for the skincare brand su:m37°’s Secret Essence was held at FEZH Hannam in Yongsan District, Seoul. TWICE’s Dahyun, Hwang Minhyun, Lee Je-hoon, and Won Ji-an attended. Related headlines noted Dahyun’s appearance at the Asia Artist Awards and Hwang Minhyun’s new title track MV release.
The 2026 MAMA AWARDS revealed its first performance lineup for the two-day event at Kyocera Dome Osaka on November 20 and 21. Twelve acts were announced, including RESCENE, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, BABYMONSTER, ENHYPEN, ILLIT, INI, NCT WISH, CORTIS, KiiiKiii, LE SSERAFIM, NAYEON, and ZEROBASEONE. The announcement also renewed attention on a promise between RESCENE’s Wonni and comedian Lee Sung-min, made after they worked together on a web variety show.
MMA fighter Akiyama Shungo (Korean name: Choo Sung-hoon) announced the death of someone he deeply loved and respected, saying the person died by suicide in their 40s. He expressed shock, sorrow, regret, and condolences, and said he will suspend all social media activity for now.
Charlie Puth expressed gratitude to TWICE’s Nayeon on Instagram after his Seoul concert, his first stadium performance. He thanked her for lighting up the Korean stage with him and also thanked about 40,000 fans. The two performed a duet of “We Don’t Talk Anymore” and danced together.
At a press conference for Razor at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, director Kim Jong-hoon explained the casting of No Jeong-ui and Sho Kasamatsu. He praised No’s growth and said Kasamatsu’s bilingual presence added strangeness to the role. Both actors spoke about the challenges and enjoyment of filming.
