‘R U Next?’ Ratings Hit 0%, But Former Contestants Are Thriving in the Spotlight
JTBC’s 2023 girl group survival show ‘R U Next?’ may have ended with disappointing 0% ratings, but its contestants are now making waves in the K-pop scene through high-profile re-debuts and viral performances.
ALLDAY PROJECT’s Youngseo
One of the most talked-about contestants, Youngseo, initially secured a spot in the debut lineup of ILLIT alongside Yuna, Minju, Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha. However, just two months before the group’s official debut, she withdrew, shocking fans with her sudden exit. Known for her sharp “cat-like” visuals and strong performance skills, her departure left many questioning what happened.
Belift Lab stated at the time, “After in-depth discussions, we and Youngseo agreed to terminate the exclusive contract. We respect her decision and ask for no speculation.”
After a brief hiatus, Youngseo returned to the spotlight this time under The Black Label, led by hitmaker Teddy. In an unexpected twist, she debuted not in a girl group, but in a co-ed team. On the web show “Zip Daesung,” she revealed, “They wouldn’t tell me anything about the team only that it wasn’t a girl group. I even thought I might debut as an AI artist!”
Youngseo debuted on June 23 with the co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT, releasing dual title tracks “FAMOUS” and “WICKED.” The group achieved a “perfect all-kill” by topping every major domestic chart and even entered the Billboard Global 200—marking a powerful start.
FIFTY FIFTY‘s Chanelle & Yewon
Other former ‘R U Next?’ contestants are also finding success. Chanelle Moon and Yewon joined the revamped lineup of FIFTY FIFTY in September 2024 and released the mini-album “Love Tune.”
Chanelle gained particular attention for her boy group-style cover of “Pookie,” which went viral across YouTube Shorts and social media. The performance’s charisma and charm sparked a trend, with fans and even fellow members joining the challenge, helping the track re-enter domestic charts months after release.
IZNA‘s Bang Jeemin
Bang Jeemin, another R U Next? alum, also found her breakthrough. Though she placed fourth on the show, she didn’t debut at the time. Instead, she entered Mnet’s I-LAND 2, finishing second and debuting as the center of girl group IZNA. Known for her 172.5cm height and doll-like visuals, Bang Jeemin has quickly become a fan favorite.
Now an MC for M Countdown and a host at KCON Japan 2025, she’s building a strong career. IZNA, too, is climbing steadily, with songs like “BEEP” and “SIGN” landing in the Melon HOT100 Top 30.
Though ‘R U Next?’ may have stumbled in ratings, its contestants are proving that true success often comes after the cameras stop rolling. Their growing popularity highlights how talent and persistence can turn even a failed show into a powerful launchpad.
