In the middle of enjoying growing popularity, Mnet’s The Voice of Korea will soon be meeting a formidable competitor.

Beginning on March 23, KBSN will premiere its global idol audition program Global Super Idol at the same time as Voice of Korea on KBS Joy and KBS Drama channel.

At the press conference for Global Super Idol held on March 15 in Seoul, producer Lim Yong Hyun spoke on its rival show saying, “The Voice of Korea is a strong competitor but the two programs are different,” expressing confidence that viewers who do not watch The Voice of Korea would tune into his program.

Lim Yong Hyun went on to add, “The Voice of Korea is [a competition for] professionals. But our program is for amateurs who dream of becoming global idols. The talent level of competitors on The Voice of Korea is different from those aspiring to be in an idol group.”

Continuing on, he said, “The preference of viewers is quite diverse. It’s up to the broadcasting stations to fill those diverse desires of viewers. Viewers looking for something else I think will turn to Global Super Idol.”

Global Super Idol will be held not only in Korea but in China and Thailand, in order to form its global idol group.

The overall winner of the completion will receive one billion won. The program will be divided into a Korean league and a global league. Already, 10 people have been selected from China and Thailand as finalists, and each respective country will air the competition. These finalists will be combined with 20 finalists selected from Korea to live and compete together for three months.

Other judges for the show will include singer Kim Jo Han and Core Contents Media’s CEO Kim Kwang Soo. T-ara’s Hyo Min and KBS announcer Han Suk Joon will serve as the show’s MCs. Shinsadong Tiger, Choi Joon Young and others will serve as producers while Cha Ji Yeon, Ali and others will serve as trainers.

Photo credit: ‘Global Super Idol’ Homepage

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