Audition programs are everywhere. Not to mention audition programs to find musical talent, most notably Superstar K by Mnet and Star Audition by MBC, there are many other programs that search for the next great anchor, actor, model, designer and even the person who can lose the most weight. Although the audition format for a TV program has already existed in the United States for over a decade, it is relatively new in Korea, gaining overwhelming popularity and creating an “audition fever.”
Among the diverse audition programs that exist, Superstar K, which recently ended its third season, is by far the most beloved show. The charm of audition programs lies in the moments when the ugly duckling dramatically transforms into a beautiful swan, and Superstar K gained its immense popularity by effectively capturing these moments. For example in season 2, Gak Huh, who used to clean ventilators, edged out runner-up John Park, who is a well-educated, attractive Korean-American. Recently in the third season, Ulala Session became the winner of half a billion Korean Won along with numerous other rewards the show offered. The band is acclaimed not only for their amazing vocal talents and harmony, but also for their spiritual energy.
The leader of Ulala Session, Yoon-taek Lee, is known to suffer from stage four stomach cancer. Yet, he persuaded the other members to audition for Superstar K to open up their opportunities in the music industry when he can no longer perform with them. The self-sacrifice and leadership he showed while struggling with the disease were enough to impress the audience, and the overwhelming support made Ulala Session the winner of the show, as votes from the audiences play a major role in determining the winner.
This brings us to another beautiful aspect of audition programs, which is the significantly increased audience participation. One of the distinctive features of audition programs is that the audience can cast votes for their favorites and exert strong influences in determining who the winner will be. In this sense, the winners of audition programs can earn genuine popularity and fame derived from the public. Thus, they often turn out to be much more popular than other celebrities, as the public tend to have more of an emotional attachment to them after watching their process of growth and painstaking efforts to improve themselves.
Emotional attachment from the public is one of the most important keys that make audition programs so successful in Korea. Reality shows somewhat mirror an abridged version of our lives. Audition programs are as competitive as our own lives, as the law of the jungle also prevails on these programs. However, there is one difference; the same opportunities are given to all participants without prejudice and discrimination. Although our society claims to be fair and just, we know that reality is never so perfect. Yet, in audition programs, anyone with talent can become the winner regardless of appearance, wealth and educational background. Thus, the audience tends to give more enthusiastic support to candidates who are regarded as disadvantaged in our society, because the audience console themselves by cheering for the dramatic transformation of these ugly ducklings into beautiful swans.
The slogan of Superstar K is “Sing the Miracle,” and the program actually presented miracles to its winners. Gak Huh’s songs frequently reach first place on the music charts while Ulala Session is about to start a very successful career. But it seems like these winners are not the only ones who experience miracles, as the public can also break away from reality for a moment, finding hope for their own dreams once again.