‘Universe Ticket’ Kim Se Jung, stinging review “You may not be good enough, but you have to finish.”

‘Universe Ticket’ kicks off with 82 hopeful participants.

On the afternoon of the 18th, SBS audition program ‘Universe Ticket’ aired its first episode, introducing 82 girls from around the world who dream of becoming K-pop stars.

The broadcast began with the announcement of the first rankings, determined by a preliminary vote following the profile reveal in July. Trot fairy Im Seo-won placed 9th, while Hwang Si-eun, who drew attention in the teaser video, ranked 5th. The top spot was taken by Rie, a contestant from Myanmar.

The first battle was a one-on-one challenge, and the higher-ranked contestants chose opponents they believed they could beat from the lower ranks, heating up the competition from the get-go.

‘Insider’ contestant KotoKo, ranked 18th, lifted the atmosphere with her charming appeal. KotoKo, loved by the other contestants, performed Nayeon’s “Pop” with her unique vivacity, radiating positive energy. Hyoyeon commented, “I understand why she’s popular among the contestants. She has a charm that exudes just by her presence, something I was very envious of when I was a trainee.”

There were also contestants with extensive experience in their home countries. Nana, the visual of the Japanese girl group FreeKill and ranked 19th, confidently stated, “My goal is to be the center of ‘Universe Ticket’.” Watching Nana perform Sunmi’s “Gashina,” Kim Sejeong evaluated, “Dare I say it, she has the vibe of a center.”

Bong Yoon-ha, ranked 31st, perfectly performed the song and rap of “Sneakers” by ITZY, a group known as the Unicorn (Universe Icon), earning recognition for her skills. ITZY’s Yeji expressed her satisfaction, saying, “She knows the point of this song,” and Yoon-ha responded, “I’m proud to share the same name with her.”

Im Seo-won, who gained attention as the ‘Little Jang Won-young’ through ‘Miss Trot,’ was considered a strong competitor by all. She chose BoA’s “Atlantis Princess” and showcased not only her singing but also her dancing skills, once again proving her live performance prowess. Hyoyeon expressed her desire to cast Im, saying, “I want to take her with me.”

On the other hand, Kwon Chae-won, a former member of the girl group DIA, and Jeon Ji-eun from Busters, both received harsh criticism from the Unicorns. Despite their idol experience, their performances were marked by unstable vocals and dancing skills.

Unicorn Kim Sejeong commented, “Even if you’re lacking on stage, your skills should not show. I believe an idol is someone who perfects their performance through blood, sweat, and tears. Even if you’re lacking, you have to complete it. Both of you need to practice a lot more,” leaving a stern evaluation.

Meanwhile, ‘Universe Ticket’ is a large-scale global audition created with significance in the number 82, the country code of South Korea. It is not only broadcasted on SBS and Japan’s AbemaTV, but also on local TV in Singapore and Malaysia, and streamed via OTT in Southeast Asia, including Taiwan. The next episode will air at 6:05 PM on the 25th.

Photo=SBS