Mnet audition program 'I-LAND2:N/a' reveals its 24 contestants

Twenty-four contestants vying to become the next Enhypen, girl group-version, through Mnet’s upcoming audition show “I-LAND2:N/a" were unveiled on Thursday.

The 24 contestants vying to make their girl group debut through Mnet's upcoming audition show "I-LAND2:N/a" were unveiled on Thursday. [CJ ENM]

Twenty-four contestants vying to become the next Enhypen, girl group-version, through Mnet’s upcoming audition show “I-LAND2:N/a" were unveiled on Thursday.

The second season of "I-LAND," the first season of which aired in 2020 and led to the creation of HYBE's boy band Enhypen, will air its first episode on Mnet on April 18 at 8:50 p.m. A global audition was held last year, finishing in October and receiving more than 20,000 applicants, according to Mnet.

A video showcasing the final 24 trainees’ performances was uploaded on Thursday. The video shows the trainees divided into four groups, each consisting of five to seven trainees. Each group performs songs from four distinct dance genres: heel dance, waacking, girlish choreo and hip-hop.

The trainees’ individual profiles were uploaded to the show’s social media page on Friday.

At the helm of “I-LAND2:N/a" is its host, actor Song Kang. Teddy, the songwriter and record producer behind numerous hit songs for K-pop artists like Big Bang, 2NE1 and Blackpink, will join this season as the chief producer.

A list of the show’s celebrity cast of judges and directors was revealed last week and includes Big Bang’s Taeyang and dancers VVN and Monica as the trainees’ mentors.

Controversy arose regarding the program earlier this month after a person claiming to be an on-site staff member of the show accused the program’s producer of mistreating the show’s K-pop trainees and staff members. Mnet issued an official statement refuting all claims.

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]