Familiar Faces Among “Universe League” Contestants Spark Mixed Feelings

One of the many ways idol hopefuls can find success is by competing on a survival show. These shows usually take many trainees or even already-debuted idols and have them compete for a chance at debuting in a brand-new group.

ZEROBASEONE | @ZB1_Official/X

While survival shows have proven to be a good opportunity for some idols to gain popularity, some competitors, unfortunately, seem to end up in a cycle of appearing on similar shows for a variety of reasons.

The recently announced Universe League is one such show with a line-up filled with familiar faces.

| Universe League

Universe League is a follow-up to Universe Ticket, the survival program that formed UNIS and features 42 contestants. The show will have contestants form teams using a draft system while competing against each other. In line with the show’s title, members will be traded between teams like in professional sports.

One of the contestants that has already attracted attention is LUMINOUS‘s Steven.

LUMINOUS’s Steven | @unvs_league/X

Steven previously competed on Produce X 101, but he was eliminated before debuting in his current group. Many fans have expressed surprise over his competing in the show and feelings from excitement to disappointment he is having to compete in another show.

i’m placing my bets on him now actually 🙂‍↕️ https://t.co/A1ksD1elIX

— 🍓via🍓 (@basicallyvia) October 15, 2024

Man I remember hyping him up- cuz yes Aussie representation on a survival show- years ago and then being very proud he debut in a group…hurts my heart that he’s back on another survival show https://t.co/lcQjjAiMJG

— 💗haihai MONG!🌱 (@HaiALostStay) October 15, 2024

smile dropped free him rn https://t.co/rTspGFsdvL

— mar 🦊 LIVE and FALL (@skatergsu) October 15, 2024

Other contestants have earned similarly mixed reactions including former IM and UNB‘s Kim Gijoong (Kijoong), who appeared on Wild Idol and The Unit…

OMG😱 our baby 🥺 I just miss him and listened to Unb 'only one' this morning and wondering what happened to him, how's his life?? 🥹 Fighting dear 💪🏻 3 survival shows to catch up 🤣 https://t.co/BhYNyTDgCp

— Mint 🏔️ (@meanmintmine) October 15, 2024

the uni+ war flashbacks 😭😭😭 https://t.co/MvOTjTmrEA

— ᴋᴏᴛᴛᴏɴ_ᴋᴇɴᴅʏ 🍭 (@kenny_iz_xxvi) October 15, 2024

…and NINE.i‘s Joohyoung. NINE.i previously had legal issues with their previous agency and had announced they would be entering a hiatus following their Japanese tour in August.

oh for FUCK SAKE https://t.co/jezGN1XzfC

— bubbles (@bubsluvie) October 15, 2024

AAAAA JOOHYOUNG 🥹 https://t.co/ZywvMPE2nY

— heavenly ꒰ ᵔ ᴥ ᵔ ꒱ (@winniesbaee) October 15, 2024

The contestant with the most reactions by far however, is former TO1‘s Woongki. Woongki debuted after competing on World Klass but was one of three members announced to have left the group in 2022.

Cha Woongki | @unvs_league/X

Woongki then competed on Boys Planet, but was eliminated and finished in 20th place.

Fans of the idol are both saddened that he is competing in a survival show for the third time (fourth including his appearance on Road To Kingdom with TO1), but hopeful that this one will lead him to success.

ah shit, here we go again… https://t.co/7QcvLvkf2n pic.twitter.com/DhOedN0dAm

— lulu (@woongkitty) October 15, 2024

I WILL MAKE SURE YOU DEBUT BABY IM TIRED OF SEEING U IN SURVIVAL SHOWS 😭😭 https://t.co/d7ntI5Z6CI

— dee ౨ৎ always w seunghan (@ily2binz) October 15, 2024

baby you WILL debut this time https://t.co/z5spkWrmAC

— nooble 🍉 (@BowlOfNoobles) October 15, 2024

woongki going into his 4th survival show… pic.twitter.com/QpIHs0sg1y

— woongki pics (@woongkizip) October 14, 2024