Mix Nine
Mix Nine (Korean: 믹스나인; stylized as MIXNINE) was a South Korean reality survival competition program broadcast on JTBC from October 29, 2017, to January 26, 2018.[1] Created by YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun-suk in partnership with JTBC, the show involved scouting trainees from small and mid-sized entertainment agencies across South Korea to form and train potential idol groups.[2] Participants, including some already debuted idols, underwent evaluations, performances, and eliminations based on producer and public votes, with the goal of debuting either a nine-member boy group or girl group under YG's management.[3] The program featured prominent YG artists such as CL, Taeyang, and Zion.T as judges, alongside host Noh Hong-chul, and emphasized skill development in vocals, dance, and stage presence.[1] Despite the male lineup securing the final spots through voting—comprising members like Woo Jin-young, Kim Hyo-jin, and Choi Hyun-suk—the planned debut was canceled by YG Entertainment in May 2018.[4] YG cited insufficient time to produce a competitive album within four months and unresolved contract negotiations with the trainees' original agencies as primary reasons, a decision that drew widespread criticism for exploiting participants' efforts amid the show's low ratings.[5][6] This outcome highlighted tensions in the K-pop industry's survival format, where promised opportunities often hinge on corporate priorities rather than contestant merit alone.[7]Production and Concept
Development and Premise
Mix Nine was developed in 2017 as a joint venture between YG Entertainment and the South Korean broadcaster JTBC, with production led by Han Dong-chul, who had previously helmed survival programs including Produce 101 and Show Me the Money.[8] The project was announced publicly in September 2017, marking YG's effort to identify and cultivate talent from external sources amid a competitive K-pop landscape dominated by agency-specific trainee systems.[9] Unlike prior YG initiatives focused on in-house artists, this program emphasized scouting from rival firms, reflecting founder Yang Hyun-suk's hands-on approach to talent evaluation.[10] The core premise involved Yang Hyun-suk personally visiting music agencies nationwide to select promising trainees, who were then relocated to YG's facilities for intensive training in vocals, dance, and performance.[9][11] These "mixed" participants—drawn from diverse backgrounds, including pre-debut trainees and lesser-known idols—competed through staged evaluations, with public and expert voting determining progress toward forming two gender-segregated teams of nine members each. The ultimate objective was a viewer-decided debut for one winning group under YG on a seven-year contract, while non-selected members returned to their originating agencies, highlighting tensions between short-term borrowing and long-term artist development.[10] This structure aimed to test raw potential under YG's rigorous standards, prioritizing global appeal over agency loyalty.[12]Format and Rules
The format of Mix Nine began with a nationwide preliminary audition process, in which YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun-suk, accompanied by a panel of judges including YG artists and external experts, visited approximately 70 entertainment agencies to evaluate around 400 trainees. From these, 170 participants—72 males and 98 females—were selected to advance to the main televised competition on JTBC, with selections based solely on the judges' assessments of individual performances in singing, dancing, and overall potential.[9][13] In the core competition, contestants underwent intensive training and participated in group and individual performances, evaluated primarily by Yang Hyun-suk and the production team. Participants were ranked and divided into hierarchical classes—such as provisional Top 9, Class A, Class B, and lower tiers—reflecting their performance scores from showcases, with lower-ranked trainees facing higher elimination risks.[14][15] Eliminations occurred in stages, starting with the first round after episode 7, where 71 contestants were cut based on aggregated scores from producer evaluations of prior performances, leaving 99 competitors; subsequent rounds continued this process, narrowing the field progressively through similar criteria including position-specific battles and additional challenges.[16][17] Public online voting, introduced around episode 4 via JTBC's platform, supplemented producer decisions by contributing points to rankings, particularly in later stages, with weekly tallies influencing class assignments and survival— for instance, over 1 million votes were cast in the first voting week, favoring female contestants overall.[18][14] The ultimate rule stipulated that the top 9 males and top 9 females would form temporary project groups, which would then compete head-to-head in a final public vote; the winning gender's group would debut as the 9-member Mix Nine under YG Entertainment for a 3-year term, while the losing team's members would return to their original agencies, subject to inter-agency contract negotiations.[15][9] Producer evaluations retained veto-like authority, as Yang Hyun-suk announced passes or eliminations directly, occasionally overriding strict metrics for perceived star potential.[13][19]Recruitment and Agency Involvement
Yang Hyun-suk, founder of YG Entertainment, conducted the initial recruitment by personally visiting approximately 70 entertainment agencies throughout South Korea to scout and evaluate trainee talent.[9] Panels of judges assisted in assessing around 400 trainees during these preliminary auditions, ultimately selecting 170 participants—72 males and 98 females—for the program's main competition based on demonstrated skills in performance and potential.[20] The selected trainees originated from a diverse array of agencies, including Star Empire Entertainment, JD Entertainment, ONO Entertainment, FAVE Entertainment, and ELEVEN9, among others, which facilitated widespread industry representation beyond YG's own roster.[21] This multi-agency approach aimed to assemble a mixed-gender group by pooling talent, with participating agencies submitting candidates for evaluation under the program's survival format.[22] Agency involvement intensified post-selection, as the show's structure stipulated that the top nine finalists—regardless of original affiliation—would debut exclusively under YG Entertainment for a defined period, requiring formal contract approvals from each trainee's parent agency.[5] Negotiations faltered over terms such as profit-sharing ratios, additional training extensions up to three years, and management rights, with YG insisting on unanimous consent from all involved agencies to proceed.[23] In one prominent case, Happyface Entertainment, representing male contestant Woo Jin-young (ranked first overall), initiated a lawsuit against YG in June 2018 for alleged breach of contract and sought 10 billion won in damages, claiming YG unilaterally altered terms and failed to honor the debut commitment.[24] YG countered that the absence of full agency alignment prevented fulfillment, resulting in the May 2018 cancellation of both the male and female winning teams' debuts.[25]Contestants
Male Contestants
The male contestants of Mix Nine totaled 72 trainees drawn from 35 entertainment agencies, primarily through agency submissions and YG Entertainment's scouting efforts prior to the show's premiere on October 29, 2017.[3] These participants, ranging in age from early teens to mid-20s, competed in initial evaluations assessing vocal, rap, dance, and performance skills under the oversight of YG's Yang Hyun-suk and visiting agency executives.[3] Progressive eliminations occurred across episodes, with 71 males ultimately cut after the first round announced on December 10, 2017, leaving 56 to advance.[26] Further reductions followed in subsequent team battles and live performances, culminating in the final top nine revealed on January 26, 2018, intended for debut under YG but ultimately cancelled due to contract disputes with originating agencies.[3][27] Notable among the males were trainees from prominent labels, including YG's own Choi Hyun-suk and affiliates, alongside independents like Beat Interactive's Kim Byeong-kwan.[28] The final rankings reflected cumulative viewer votes and producer evaluations, prioritizing overall appeal over single skills.[27]| Final Rank | Name | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woo Jin-young | Happy Face Entertainment[28] |
| 2 | Kim Hyo-jin | WM Entertainment[28] |
| 3 | Lee Ru-bin | Liveworks Company[28] |
| 4 | Kim Byeong-kwan | Beat Interactive[28] |
| 5 | Choi Hyun-suk | YG Entertainment[28] |
| 6 | Song Han-gyeom | Staro Entertainment[28] |
| 7 | Kim Min-seok | YGKPlus[28] |
| 8 | Lee Dong-hun | Cube Entertainment[28] |
| 9 | Lee Byoung-gon | The Black Label[28] |
Female Contestants
The female contestant pool in Mix Nine consisted of 98 trainees selected from preliminary auditions involving over 400 candidates across approximately 70 agencies, evaluated by YG Entertainment producers on skills in singing, rapping, and dancing.[30][8] These participants competed in a format emphasizing live performances, benefit shows, and global fan voting through app engagement and text messages, with rankings updated after each evaluation round.[30] The top 9 female contestants, determined by the final cumulative scores from producer panels (40%), agency votes (30%), and public votes (30%) as announced in the concluding episodes aired in late 2017, were Shin Ryujin, Lee Soomin, Park Sumin, Jeon Heejin, Nam Yujin, Choi Moonhee, Kim Sori, Jang Hyogyeong, and Lee Hayoung.[31][32] Shin Ryujin, representing JYP Entertainment, led the rankings with strong performances in rap and dance, securing 1st place with 141,230 votes after the first major elimination in episode 7.[33][34] Lee Soomin and Park Sumin followed in 2nd and 3rd, respectively, noted for vocal stability and stage presence in group challenges.[31][32]| Final Rank | Name | Notable Agency Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shin Ryujin | JYP Entertainment |
| 2 | Lee Soomin | FAVE Entertainment |
| 3 | Park Sumin | IMe KOREA |
| 4 | Jeon Heejin | Independent trainee |
| 5 | Nam Yujin | Bace Camp Studio |
| 6 | Choi Moonhee | Source Music |
| 7 | Kim Sori | K-pop trainee |
| 8 | Jang Hyogyeong | Small agency trainee |
| 9 | Lee Hayoung | Coridel Entertainment |
Competition Progress
Elimination Chart
The elimination process in Mix Nine occurred in multiple rounds, determined by a combination of agency producer evaluations (60% weight), performance scores from challenges, and global viewer votes via the show's app (40% weight after initial rounds). Contestants were ranked overall but eliminations were applied separately by gender to maintain balance toward forming competing boy and girl teams of nine, with the higher-voted team slated to debut under YG Entertainment. Rankings were revealed progressively, with lower-ranked contestants eliminated to reduce the pool.[26][35] In the first elimination round, aired on Episode 7 (December 10, 2017), 71 contestants were cut from the initial 170 based on cumulative scores up to that point, leaving 99 participants (46 females and 53 males). The top nine in each gender were announced: for males, Woo Jinyoung (1st overall), Kim Hyojin (3rd), Kim Byeongkwan (4th), Choi Hyunsuk (6th), Lee Rubin (7th), Song Hangeom (9th), Kim Minseok (12th), Lee Donghun (13th), and Lee Byounggon (17th); for females, Shin Ryujin (2nd overall), Lee Somin (5th), Kim Sori (8th), Han Jiwon (10th), Park Jiwon (11th), Jeon Somi (14th), Kim Hyoyeon (15th), Jung Yujeong (16th), and Choi Yewon (18th).[26][36][17] The second round, in Episode 10 (December 31, 2017), followed the formation battle challenge, where teams performed and received vote benefits; this resulted in further cuts, primarily affecting lower-ranked females (ranks 28–46 eliminated), while male rankings shifted based on battle outcomes, with the male team declared winners for additional advantages. Updated top nines were revealed, solidifying frontrunners like Woo Jinyoung (retaining 1st among males with 86,026 votes) and Kim Byeongkwan (2nd). Exact elimination numbers were not publicly detailed beyond gender-specific cuts, but the pool was reduced to prepare for position evaluations.[35][37] Subsequent eliminations in Episode 13 incorporated position battle results and additional votes, trimming the field closer to the final 18 (nine per gender), with some contestants like Kim Sua (female) confirmed eliminated here. The final elimination in Episode 14 (January 26, 2018) pitted the top nine boys against the top nine girls in a debut evaluation battle; the boys' team won with higher scores, eliminating the girls' team from debut contention, though contract disputes later prevented any group's formation.[30][35]| Elimination Round | Episode | Air Date | Number Eliminated | Remaining Contestants | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 7 | December 10, 2017 | 71 (mixed genders) | 99 (46F, 53M) | Overall rankings revealed; initial top 9 per gender announced.[26] |
| Second | 10 | December 31, 2017 | ~20–30 (mostly females post-formation battle) | ~70–80 | Male team wins battle benefits; updated rankings.[35] |
| Third | 13 | January 14, 2018 (approx.) | Variable to reach finals | ~18 (9F, 9M) | Position battles influence cuts. |
| Final | 14 | January 26, 2018 | 9 females (losing team) | 9 males (winners, non-debuting) | Boys' team victorious; no debut due to agency disputes.[35] |
Evaluation Rounds and Challenges
The evaluation rounds in Mix Nine progressed through structured missions that tested contestants' singing, dancing, rapping, and teamwork abilities, with rankings determined by a combination of live audience votes, producer evaluations, and viewer input via online platforms. These challenges followed the initial agency auditions and aimed to narrow down the 170 selected trainees into competitive teams, ultimately pitting a final boy group against a girl group.[9][38] The first mission involved all contestants performing the show's theme song, "Just Dance," produced by YG's Teddy, in a group showcase format. Performances were judged 50% by an on-site panel—including Yang Hyun-suk and guest artists—and 50% by audience votes, resulting in contestants being classified into four tiers: a provisional "debut" group of nine (highest ranked), followed by A, B, and C levels. This initial ranking set the foundation for subsequent eliminations and privileges, such as priority in later team formations.[1][38] Subsequent position battles, aired in episodes 5 and 6, evaluated trainees in specialized categories like vocals, dance, and rap through cover performances of established tracks, including TVXQ's "Love in the Ice" for vocals. Teams were formed based on position strengths, with outcomes influencing overall point totals and advancement; higher-ranked participants received additional benefits, such as 2,000 points for top teams.[39] Formation battles, featured in episodes 8 through 10, shifted to intra-gender competitions where teams of 6–7 members selected and performed remastered versions of popular songs—determined by pre-show surveys—such as Gain's "Paradise Lost" or iKON's "Bang Bang Bang." Winning teams earned significant point advantages ranging from 3,000 to 10,000, directly impacting final rankings; for instance, the female team covering "Genie" by Girls' Generation placed fifth, while top performers advanced with enhanced visibility.[40] The digital song battle in episodes 11 and 12 required remaining contestants to collaborate on original tracks composed specifically for the show, divided into boy and girl subgroups performing songs like "After This Night" or "Stand by Me." These missions emphasized creative adaptation and live execution, with results compiled into digital singles released post-broadcast; evaluations combined producer feedback and voting to select the final nine members per gender for the ultimate boy-vs.-girl debut showdown.[40][41]Key Episodes and Milestones
The premiere episode aired on October 29, 2017, introducing the program's premise as Yang Hyun-suk toured over 70 entertainment agencies to recruit 170 trainees from 47 labels, emphasizing a co-ed competition to form one debuting group via inter-team rivalry.[20] Initial evaluations focused on individual skills in dance, vocals, and performance, setting the stage for progressive eliminations based on judge scores from panels including YG artists like CL and Taeyang.[1] A major milestone occurred during the first elimination round, filmed on December 4, 2017, and revealed in subsequent episodes around December 10, when 71 contestants were cut from the initial 170, reducing the pool to 99 based on cumulative rankings from preliminary assessments; this mass exit highlighted early disparities in trainee readiness across agencies.[42][26] Further challenges in mid-season episodes involved team-based cover performances of YG and other label hits, such as Blackpink's "Boombayah" and TVXQ's "Love in the Ice," which tested group chemistry and led to additional eliminations narrowing contenders to around 36 by late December.[43] Episode 11, broadcast on January 7, 2018, marked a restructuring phase post-elimination, with survivors regrouped into balanced teams of up to nine members each to address uneven distributions, paving the way for advanced evaluations including original song creations and benefit missions.[14] The finale on January 26, 2018, featured four teams per gender performing newly composed tracks in direct confrontation, culminating in public voting that selected the nine-member boys' team as debut winners, though no group ultimately formed due to later disputes.[44][1]Performances and Releases
Stage Performances
The stage performances in Mix Nine were structured around competitive evaluation rounds, where trainees formed teams to demonstrate skills in specific positions—vocal, rap, and dance—through cover song performances judged on execution, synchronization, and individual contributions. These position battles, featured prominently in episodes 4 through 6 airing in late November and early December 2017, determined intermediate rankings and eliminations via scored outcomes from panels and viewer votes.[39][45] In the vocal battles, female team Shining Girls (11 members) performed 2NE1's "It Hurts," earning 2366 points for a cohesive but unremarkable delivery, while male team Koljing (8 members) covered BTOB's "It's Okay," securing 4712 points through stronger emotional range and harmony.[39] Later vocal matchups included Head-On (females) covering Ailee's "Singing Got Better" for 2920 points, outperformed by High Quality (males) on TVXQ's "Love in the Ice" at 3754 points, where consistent pitch control favored the males; and Bivid (females) on Taeyeon's "Rain" scoring 3926 against Red Sox (males) on K.Will's "Day 1" at 3094, highlighting female advantages in tonal subtlety.[45] Rap battles pitted 9ood 9irl (7 females) against Chilsung (7 males) on Cheetah's "My Number" (1352 points) versus Epik High's "Born Hater" (3868 points), with males excelling in flow and aggression; a subsequent round saw Auh~! (6 females) on AOA Jimin's "Puss" at 1984 points lose to Nerd'$ (7 males) on Zico & Mino's "Okey Dokey" at 3404, credited to superior teamwork and lyric delivery.[39][45] Dance battles emphasized choreography precision and energy, as in Benefit (12 females) on BLACKPINK's "Boombayah" (4544 points) edging PSYCHOPASS (9 males) on Block B's "Very Good" (4294 points); Hotspot (females) on Nicki Minaj's "Starships" (4738) over One Way (males) on One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" (3630); Mix Nice (females) on TWICE's "Knock Knock" (2806) versus Mazinger (males) on 2PM's "My House" (5290), where males impressed with polished dynamics; and Kyushi (females) on Ariana Grande's "Greedy" (4978) surpassing Just8 (males) on Jason Derulo's "Kiss the Sky" (3766) via tighter synchronization.[39][45] Subsequent rounds shifted to concept-driven missions, including digital song battles and original compositions performed live in episodes 11-12 (December 2017-January 2018), where teams like TOP LINE delivered custom tracks emphasizing YG-style hip-hop elements, though specific scores prioritized live viewer input over panel metrics.[45] Earlier one-day missions integrated impromptu vocal and dance challenges post-agency tours, testing adaptability under time constraints.[46] Final stages incorporated live broadcasts for top trainees, culminating in debut evaluations on January 25, 2018.[39]Discography
The discography of Mix Nine comprises six digital singles released by YG Entertainment in conjunction with the survival program, featuring original songs created for trainee evaluations and performances. These releases, titled MIXNINE Part.1 through Part.6, served as compilations of tracks produced during the show's challenges, including the signal song "Just Dance" and subsequent evaluation pieces, but no full-length album was issued following the cancellation of the planned group debut.[1][8] The initial single, MIXNINE Part.1, released on October 29, 2017, included the program's introductory track "Just Dance," with demo vocals provided by BLACKPINK's Rosé.[1] Subsequent parts followed weekly or bi-weekly, aggregating songs from position evaluations and team missions, such as "Hush" and "Like a Star" in Part.4.[41]| Title | Release Date | Notable Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| MIXNINE Part.1 | October 29, 2017 | "Just Dance" |
| MIXNINE Part.2 | November 5, 2017 | Evaluation tracks from early missions |
| MIXNINE Part.3 | November 19, 2017 | "Just Dance (Boy Version)," "Just Dance (Girl Version)" |
| MIXNINE Part.4 | January 7, 2018 | "Hush," "Like a Star," "Dangerous Girl" |
| MIXNINE Part.5 | January 2018 | Compilation of mid-show performances |
| MIXNINE Part.6 | January 27, 2018 | "OMG," "Come to Play," "What!?," "I Like It Too" |
Reception
Viewership Ratings
The premiere episode of Mix Nine, aired on October 29, 2017, achieved a nationwide rating of 1.919% among paid households, according to Nielsen Korea measurements. Subsequent early episodes maintained ratings in the low 1% range, with the second episode on November 5 recording 1.527% and the third on November 12 at 1.706%.[48] By the fourth episode on November 19, the rating had slipped to 1.301%, followed by a further drop to 0.958% for the November 26 broadcast.[49] Ratings continued to erode in later episodes, dipping into the 0% range by mid-run; for instance, the December 31 episode tallied 0.6%. The series finale on January 26, 2018, concluded with ratings effectively at 0%, reflecting a consistent downward trajectory from its initial modest performance.[50] This decline occurred amid competition from rival survival programs like The Unit, which sustained higher viewership around 2%.[51] Overall, Mix Nine failed to exceed 2% in any episode and averaged below 1% for much of its 13-week run on JTBC, underscoring limited audience engagement despite YG Entertainment's promotional efforts.[52]Public and Industry Response
The public response to Mix Nine was predominantly negative, with viewers criticizing the show's heavy emphasis on Yang Hyun-suk's personal judgments and the perceived lack of excitement in its format, contributing to its rapid decline in popularity shortly after premiere.[52][49] Netizens highlighted instances of harsh feedback from Yang Hyun-suk, such as his viral critique of contestant Sori's performance as lacking star quality despite visual appeal, which sparked widespread online backlash for being overly dismissive.[53] Compared to contemporaneous survival programs like The Unit, Mix Nine drew sharper rebukes for its editing choices and treatment of participants, with audiences perceiving it as more manipulative and less supportive.[54] The announcement of the winning group's debut cancellation in May 2018 intensified public outrage, as fans accused YG Entertainment of irresponsibly "throwing out" trainees after building expectations through the program, leading to calls for accountability on social media platforms.[55][56] YG issued an apology on May 3, 2018, expressing regret for disappointing viewers and assuming responsibility, though this was viewed skeptically amid perceptions of inadequate follow-through.[57] From an industry perspective, reactions included legal repercussions, such as Happyface Entertainment filing a 10 billion won damages suit against YG in June 2018 over the handling of trainee Woo Jin-young's contract negotiations post-show.[24] Yang Hyun-suk personally addressed debut delay rumors in March 2018, denying cancellation at the time but later citing failed unanimous agreement among the nine members' agencies on contract extensions as the breakdown point.[58] Critics within media outlets like Dispatch highlighted Yang's stylistic interventions as a "nightmare" that undermined the trainees' development, reflecting broader skepticism toward YG's survival show execution.[59]Controversies
Allegations of Bias and Manipulation
Allegations of favoritism toward YG Entertainment trainees emerged early in the program's promotion, with YG-affiliated participants receiving prominent features in teaser videos released on September 30, 2017, ahead of the show's premiere. Critics argued this constituted uneven pre-broadcast exposure, potentially influencing public perception and voting despite the mixed-agency format intended to level the playing field. Producers preemptively addressed such concerns in statements asserting that YG trainees would face no special treatment in evaluations or airtime.[60] Inconsistencies in judging criteria fueled further claims of bias during initial auditions. For instance, contestant Son Ye-rim, a former Superstar K3 participant, was eliminated on grounds of prior audition experience violating program rules, whereas Lee Soo-min, who had appeared on K-pop Star Season 6, advanced reportedly due to her prior acquaintance with producer Yang Hyun-suk. This disparity, highlighted in media coverage on October 30, 2017, raised questions about subjective influences overriding stated guidelines, though YG maintained evaluations were merit-based.[61] Editing practices also drew scrutiny for allegedly amplifying certain trainees' narratives. In episode 5, aired in late 2017, non-YG trainee Shin Ryujin received disproportionate screen time focusing on her background and appeal, which some viewers interpreted as manipulative favoritism to boost her visibility and votes, despite her elimination in later rounds. No formal investigations or evidence of systemic vote tampering surfaced, distinguishing Mix Nine from contemporaneous survival shows like Produce 101 series, where rigging scandals later emerged. Trainees from non-YG agencies reported additional hardships, including self-funding styling costs and minimal logistical support beyond basic lodging, exacerbating perceptions of unequal resource allocation.[62]Debut Cancellation Disputes
On May 3, 2018, YG Entertainment announced the cancellation of the Mix Nine final group's debut, citing an inability to secure agreements from all contestants' original agencies regarding contract terms for the nine members to join YG as a unit.[6] The agency stated that while efforts were made to negotiate, the project's structure required unanimous participation from all selected trainees, and discrepancies in proposed revenue shares and management rights led to the breakdown.[5] Happy Face Entertainment, the agency representing top-ranked contestant Woo Jin-young, contested YG's account and filed a lawsuit on June 26, 2018, seeking 10 million KRW (approximately $9,000 USD) in damages for breach of promise and negligence.[63] The plaintiff argued that YG had used agency disagreements as a pretext, failing to initiate debut preparations or communicate plans for over two months post-finale, despite the show's premise obligating a group launch.[5] YG countered during court pleadings that the debut was not contractually mandatory if consensus could not be achieved, emphasizing that partial participation would undermine the nine-member format advertised.[64] The dispute highlighted tensions over profit distribution, with some agencies reportedly unwilling to cede full control or accept YG's terms on trainee compensation and exclusivity.[5] Speculation among observers linked the cancellation to the program's low viewership ratings, which averaged below 2% and dipped to 0.546% at points, potentially reducing commercial viability, though YG maintained the issue stemmed solely from contractual impasses.[65] In April 2019, D1CE Entertainment (formerly Happy Face) withdrew the lawsuit following a settlement, citing YG's apologies from Mix Nine staff and resolution of conflicts, allowing Woo Jin-young to proceed independently without further legal action.[66][67]Legal and Ethical Criticisms
In May 2018, South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) ruled that the standard contract proposed by YG Entertainment for Mix Nine trainees contained illegal clauses, including exemptions that unfairly burdened participants and absolved YG of responsibility for debut outcomes.[68][69] The FTC identified four specific violations, such as disproportionate penalties on trainees for failure and YG's unilateral control over group formation, mandating revisions to ensure mutual obligations for promotion if selected.[68] On June 26, 2018, Happyface Entertainment, representing top-ranked trainee Woo Jin-young, filed a lawsuit against YG seeking 10 million KRW (approximately $9,000 USD) in damages for breach of contract after YG canceled the male group's debut despite the show's promise of formation within four months.[70] YG countered that low viewership ratings—ranging from 0.546% to 2.1%—rendered debut commercially unviable, arguing no absolute obligation existed under the contract if success was not achieved.[5][65] During court proceedings, Happyface highlighted YG's subsequent YG Treasure Box program as evidence of selective commitment, while YG maintained the Mix Nine contracts from smaller agencies were non-binding for debut.[71] The lawsuit was withdrawn on April 19, 2019, after YG issued an apology, acknowledged production errors, and reached a peaceful settlement with Happyface (then rebranded as D1CE Entertainment), though specific terms remained undisclosed.[66][72] Ethically, the program's structure drew criticism for exploiting trainees from smaller agencies by dangling YG affiliation as incentive, only to renege post-selection, potentially damaging participants' career prospects and mental health amid intense competition and public scrutiny.[56] Critics argued this reflected broader K-pop industry practices of overpromising debuts to smaller labels' talents without enforceable safeguards, fostering false hope and unequal power dynamics in trainee contracts.[73] YG's post-cancellation silence on trainee support further fueled accusations of neglect, though no formal ethical probes beyond the FTC review were reported.[5]Aftermath and Legacy
Outcomes for Selected Trainees
Following the announcement of the top nine male trainees on January 26, 2018, as the winners of Mix Nine's final evaluations, their planned debut under YG Entertainment was canceled in May 2018 due to disputes over contract terms, including a seven-year duration and revenue splits that agencies deemed exploitative.[5][4] The trainees, primarily from non-YG agencies, returned to their original labels or sought new opportunities, with outcomes varying from successful group debuts to military service and career shifts outside entertainment.- Woo Jinyoung (from Happy Face Entertainment) rejoined D1CE, debuting with the group in July 2019; after the group's promotional activities wound down, he launched a solo career in 2021, releasing tracks such as "Unbelievable" in April 2022 and "Delicious" in July 2022.[74]
- Kim Hyojin (from WM Entertainment) debuted as leader and vocalist of ONF in August 2017 prior to Mix Nine; he enlisted for mandatory military service on December 28, 2021, remaining on active duty as of late 2022.[74]
- Lee Rubin (from Liveworks Company) debuted as leader of 1TEAM in August 2019; following the group's disbandment, he transitioned to working as a tattoo artist by 2022.[74]
- Kim Byeongkwan (from Beat Interactive) debuted as a rapper and singer in A.C.E in May 2017; he enlisted for military service in early 2022 via KATUSA.[74]
- Choi Hyunsuk (from YG Entertainment) debuted as leader and rapper of TREASURE in August 2020, contributing to songwriting and production for tracks like "Hold It In"; he remained active with the group as of 2022.[74]
- Song Hangyeom (from SPM Entertainment) debuted as a vocalist in OMEGA X in June 2021, having previously led Seven O'Clock; by 2022, he was receiving treatment for anxiety and panic disorder while affiliated with the group.[74]
- Kim Minseok (stage name Laun, from WM Entertainment) briefly joined ONF but departed in 2019; he has been inactive in the entertainment industry since.[74]
- Lee Donghun (from Beat Interactive) debuted as main vocalist of A.C.E in May 2017; he enlisted for military service in 2021 as a social service worker.[74]
- Lee Byounggon (stage name BX, from C9 Entertainment) left YG post-cancellation and debuted as leader and rapper of CIX in July 2019; the group was actively touring worldwide as of 2022.[74]