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It's 2018 and MYDOL is going under.

Priority members are enlisting, meaning the checks were getting smaller and smaller.

IDOLISM has a dead member and one retired at the ripe age of 25. Not a great look.

DOUBLETAKE just lost a member, mind you there's only two of them, because of a battery scandal. An even worse look.

It was time. The bullet Son Jinhwa had in his chamber he was waiting to use for the perfect moment.

It was time to debut a girl group.

PICKASTAR would be MYDOL's first ever survival show, starring 45 female trainees divided into 9 teams of 5, or as the show put it "shipped off to their planet" where they would have to work together to appeal to the audience as well as the panel of judges. Though, it mainly mattered if they impressed Son Jinhwa as his vote carried the most weight.

The teams were decided upon before the series aired, but the girls reaction to finding oiut who their teammates were was aired during the first episode.

PICKASTAR aired for a total of 13 episodes, each running for around two hours. Eliminations would happen every three episodes with the lowest ranked team being "kicked out of the galaxy" in a dramatic fashion. The spotlight the eliminated team would be standing under would go out, signifying their elimination and they would have to walk off stage in the dark.

MYDOL was always one for the dramatics.

For the first six episodes the teams would perform covers of KPOP and popular pop songs until Son Jinhwa found himself unimpressed by this and required the teams to start producing, writing, and choreographing their own songs. This acted as a pivitol moment in show, showing off who was more technically trained verse who was naturally gifted as well as cause tension amongst the teams and their members.

Let's get into the show and what went down throughout 2018.

TEAM MERCURY - ELIMINATED EPISODE 3

The first team to be eliminated would be TEAM MERCURY which featured trainees Kim Mina, Celina Kim, Klara Blix, Baek Byeol, and Suzuki Sakura. They performed a cover of GFREIND's "Me gustas tu" and failed to impress Jinhwa or the audience in the sea of upbeat and girlcrush covers. Jinhwa would praise the girls' techicality, but overall call the performance boring and forgettable. The team would be eliminated with 3,000 votes from the audience.

As of 2026, all of Team Mercury has left Mydol and/or the idol industry, three of the five becoming models while Mina and Celina would debut as soloists in 2022.

TEAM SATURN - ELIMINATED EPISODE 6

Team Saturn showed great promise in their first performance with a cover of "BOOMBYAH" by BlackPink garnering 12,000 votes from audiences and approval of Son Jinhwa. The team consisted of Lim Bora, Song Yuna, Kim Jiyeon, Marina Schneiderman, Hirari Yui. While they were very sound in the dancing department, Jinhwa would note that three of the, Yui, Yuna, and Marina were not vocally strong and they'd only go so far based off their dancing ability.

"Anyone can dance," He'd repeatedly tell the contestants, "I don't care if you can dance. You need to be likeable, sing better than anyone, and be able to dance."

Ultimately, in the second cover challenge where they'd perform "Am I Wrong?" by BTS they failed to impress Jinhwa or audiences, gathering around 10,000 votes which would result in their elimination.

Bora, Yuna, and Marina would go on to debut as actresses shortly after leaving Mydol in 2019. Yui would return to Japan where she is an influencer and model. Jiyeon would debut as an indie solo artist in 2023 after getting a degree in business.

TEAM NEPTUNE - ELIMINATED EPISODE 9

Team Neptune was quite promising and well liked by viewers online, mainly for their visual chemistry and dancing abilities. Featuring Bliss Buayaem, Kim Chaerin, Kim Hyeju, Bang Rina, and Takamura Akiko. Like mentioned before, team neptune was never known for their vocal abilities, but rather their personalities and strong dancing abilities. While Jinhwa would give them the same critiques he would give Team Saturn, Team Neptune would be carried by fan voting due to the strong Thai and Japanese fanbase they would accquire.

Their cover of Hard Carry by GOT7 would have them ranking top three with 17,000 votes, while their cover of Highlight in episode six would have them ranking top four with 22,000 votes. Things were looking good for team Neptune until they had to step into the studio.

"HIT YA" was all the girls combined effort into making a song, but with none of them being particularly talented in the producing department, all of them admitting it was what they scored lowest on in their evaluations, it felt like fighting an uphill battle. A battle they would lose. Son Jinhwa would sit shocked at the judes panel, eyes wide, jaw ajar and not be able to utter a word once the performance was done. "Thoroughly unimpressed," he would finally go onto say before motioning them off the stage.

Their votes would plummet to just a measly 10,000, resulting in their elimination.

Bliss would go back to Thailand and start her own dance studio. Chaerin would debut in a girl group under KQ Entertainment, Hyeju would become an actress soon after leaving MYDOL in 2019, Rina would become an influencer who had an attempted acting career, but is now best known for her appearance on Singles Inferno. Akiko would appear on The Process, another MYDOL show, and debut in their second girl group TACK13 in 2024, making her the only eliminated contestant to debut under MYDOL.

TEAM URANUS - ELIMINATED EPISODE 11

Team Uranus was already working at a disadvantage because they got Uranus as their team name, but they did not let that stop them from making an impact. Knowing their name put them at a disadvantage; they made sure to stand out on all fronts, often wearing brightly colored and chunky outfits that would have netizens talking for days.

The team consisted of Lee Minji, Sage Christ, Chloe Zhao, Kim Sora, and Kim Jaeyeon all of which were considered 'aces' to Son Jinhwa. Their covers were quite popular online, resulting in them ranking number one with 45,000 votes in the first episode after their 'Fire Truck' by NCT 127. Their cover of 'Nu Abo' by Fx would leading them to rank third with 27,000 votes.

Their downfall was subtle, but expected. During the first original song challange, they would perform their original song "Not Cute Anymore" which did impress some, but wasn't as eye catching as the other performances, according to Son Jinhwa. They would drop from the top three with a total of 19,000 votes, but were safe from elimination.

Eager to impress during the 'Loud and Proud' episode, the girls would perform a dance heavy and experiemental track titled "Change Up" which failed to impress audiences and, even worse, failed to impress Jinhwa. "It was just loud," He would comment with a shake of his head, "Poorly mixed as well."

Team Uranus would be eliminated with 17,000 votes.

Minji would go onto debut in the SM girlgroup COLORCODED alongside Sage. Chloe would go back to her home state of New York and become a soloist, sitting somewhere in the midteir range. Sora would go onto become an actress who is still signed under Mydol. Jaeyeon would return back to her home in LA and became a popular vlogger and streamer.

TEAM PLUTO - ELIMINATED EPISODE 11

Team Pluto should've been in school, but instead, they were in a survival show. Featuring Liliana Kim, June Song, Park Wonhae, Yabuki Miku, and Kim Sihyeon. All the girls dyed their hair blond to stick out to viewers and the judges, which— Hey! It worked. The controversial aspect of Team Pluto and their popularity was the fact that they were all underage, with the oldest being sixteen and the youngest, Sihyeon, being only thirteen at the time of filming.

Despite their young ages, the girls showed immense promise with their cover of 'Liar Liar' by Oh My Girl, ranking them in first place in the first challenge with a staggering 52,000 votes. Their second cover, Playing with Fire by Blackpink, would rank them in second place with 31,000 votes. The issue never came from their talent, though it was heavily debated amongst netizens if they had talent or not, but on the fact they were children, which Son Jinhwa contemplated a lot when evaluating them.

"I think you're good now," he would tell them after the second challenge, "But...I wish the casting directors had waited until you were older. I'm conflicted about you guys."

Their original song "Attention" in episode 9 would have them again ranking first, reaching 55,000 votes, but would raise speculation online if the girls actually produced the song as it imitated popular Mydol Producer, Finn Lee's, style a little too well. Son Jinhwa would share this sentiment too, but when he questioned Finn on camera, he would say he had nothing to do with the track. Team Pluto would move on to the next round.

The trouble for Team Pluto only arose during the 'Loud and Proud' challenge when they'd perform 'BOOMPALA' which was controversial amongst viewers, but too familiar to Son Jinhwa. He instantly knew the beat was made by none other than his son, another famous MYDOL producer, Son Noah. When Jinhwa would privately question the girls about this, they burst into tears and began profusely apologizing. Miku would tell Jinhwa they stayed up for hours trying to figure out the software and how to use it, but everything they made sounded awful so they reached out to Finn and Noah for help. Jinhwa, though understanding and empathetic to their situation, scolded them for cheating, telling them that if this were any other company, they'd be fired and blacklisted for this. As you can imagine, that sent the teenagers into hysterics. Jinhwa comforted them in saying, "You're at my company, though. I will give you another chance...But not in this competition." and they were unceremoniously kicked off the show.

All the girls would continue to train under Mydol, with the exception of June Song, who would leave Mydol and debut as a soloist under THEBLACKLABEL. She hasn't had a comeback since 2024. Liliana, Miku, Wonhae, and Sihyeon would be featured on 'The Process' but not debut in the final group, TACK13, to the dismay of their fans. The four would leave Mydol, attempting to debut under a lesser-known company in 2024, but the plans would fall through. Liliana, Sihyeon, and Miku would sign to INSTIGATOR RECORDS, a known rival of Mydol, and debut in their first-ever girl group, MissKiss. Park Wonhae would return to Mydol and become a soloist in 2025.

TEAM JUPITER - ELIMINATED IN SEMI - FINALE

Team Jupiter was the 'if you cared about talent, you'd vote for them' team, as everyone on the team was an exceptional and unique vocalist. The team consisted of Jamie Yoon, Suh Yewon, Kim Taeyeon, Park Sara, and Music Napapat, all of whom constantly wowed audiences and Jinhwa with their vocal talents. Though in the first round they'd rank 5th with 15,000 votes, they'd climb the ranks in the second cover challenge with their vocal-heavy performance of 'Angel' by Berrygood.

Once they started producing their own music, they were desperate to prove they were also good performers as well as vocalists. For their first production challenge, they'd release the song 'DALLA DALLA' which showcased high-energy choreography and their strong vocals. Still, they'd remain stagnant in their votes, ranking just high enough to not get eliminated, but not really making an impact. The same could be noted for their Loud and Proud challenge, giving another high-energy performance and stable vocals with the track "CALL ME BAD GIRL" which seemed to be a hit in Brazil. Still, they'd just avoid elimination

Though their performances were high energy, they were just not clicking with audiences, and Son Jinhwa didn't show much interest in them as well, giving them surface-level feedback and praise. "I don't care much for them," He would admit in a confessional, "Visually they don't click for me, but they're talented so...Why get rid of them?"

They'd coast by during the "Cute and Soft" challenge, where they would release "Dance The Night Away" which was a fun track, but wasn't really memorable according to audiences and netizens.

Their elimination would come with their song "GOOD THING" which no one seemed to like. Audiences said they were trying too hard with the concept, the styling was ugly, the vocals were not on par to their usual standard, and the choreography left much to be desired. This would result in them ranking last with an embarrassing 6,000 votes. The elimination was deemed "the most humiliating moment in survival show history" by netizens for years.

All the girls would leave Mydol, attempting to have a solo career of their own, but most of them resorted to acting when it didn't take off. The only one to continue in music would be Jamie Yoon, who would go on to debut under INSTIGATOR RECORDS in 2024 as a soloist. Music would return to Thailand after being in a failed mid-tier nugu girl group, Blissful, for three years, where she is currently a YouTuber and actress.

TEAM EARTH - ELIMINATED IN SEMI-FINALE

The most controversial elimination of the show. With the killer lineup of Lee Heran, Min Sunghee, Chen YinYin, Jung Youngseo, and Marigold Kim, they made a lasting impact on the audience with their visuals, performances, and vocals. Team Earth was a strong contender for the debut group since their covers of 'Blood, Sweat, and Tears' by BTS and 'FXXK IT' by Bigbang. They were the 'edgy' group, according to netizens, with each member having a "dark yet captivating aura that made girls swoon," one netizen would comment.

Their first original song was SUPERNOVA, which, though it kept them in the competition, was divisive amongst fans, but Jinhwa loved it, so that was all that mattered. Their most controversial track would be none other than INTERNET GIRL, which is still talked about in the big year of 2026 for being...very unique. The choreography and high energy performance is most likely what kept them in the competition with that release, but they redeemed themselves in the "Cute and Soft" challenge with "PrettyGirl" which moved them back into the top three.

Despite making it to the semi-finale and consistently ranking high throughout the show, their track for the 'Girl Crush' challenge would send them packing. PSYCHO would fail to impress viewers and Jinhwa, resulting in their elimination.

All of team Earth would leave Mydol except for Lee Heran, who would debut as a soloist under the label. Seunghee, YinYin, Youngseo, and Marigold would debut under YG Entertainment in 2021 in a six-member group.

TEAM MARS - ELIMINATED : FINALE

Team Mars is the biggest 'What If' in the MYDOL lore, due to their popularity throughout the show and their insane starpower together. Quickly establishing themselves as the public's darlings with the lineup of Kim Soyeon, Han Jiwon, Min Yebin, Yoon Chaeyeon, and Seo Dabin. While many expected them to be overshadowed by louder and more experimental teams, their chemistry and charisma made them one of the most beloved groups on PICKASTAR.

Their cover performances of "I Like That" by SISTAR and "Crying" by Stellar were both instant viral moments, with viewers applauding their ability to transform two completely different concepts into something distinctly their own.

Their first original song, KILL THIS LOVE, immediately cemented them as one of the biggest competitors in PICKASTAR. The stage was praised for its powerful choreography, dramatic styling, and a confidence that surprised both the judges and viewers, sending the team soaring into the top rankings.

Their song for the "Loud and Proud" challenge would be PINKY UP, one that divided the judges but became a favorite among younger viewers. Many fans still consider it one of the defining songs of the program.

The group truly found their footing during the "Cute and Soft" challenge with TOUCH, which is often cited by fans as one of the best original songs to ever come from the series. The stage showcased their natural chemistry and addictive choreography, pushing them into the overall rankings' top two and sparking countless discussions about whether Team Mars had become the strongest contender for debut.

For the "Girl Crush," they'd perform their song BANG BANG. The performance received overwhelming praise from viewers and earned millions of views online after the episode aired. Many believed Team Mars had effectively secured their debut with the stage, with comments describing them as "already a finished idol group" amongst netizens.

By the time the finale arrived, Team Mars and Team Venus stood as the last two teams remaining, with public support nearly split down the middle. Their potential debut song, LEMONADE. The performance was met with great praise from the live audience and was widely regarded as one of the strongest finale stages in survival show history.

However, despite Team Mars receiving overwhelming public support, the competition's final outcome rested on Son Jinhwa's deciding vote. Choosing Team Venus as the winners of PICKASTAR, Jinhwa's decision instantly became one of the most controversial moments in Korean survival show history. Fans argued that Team Mars had consistently delivered stronger performances throughout the season, and "Justice for Team Mars" trended across online communities for days following the finale.

Following the show's conclusion, all five members chose to leave Mydol Entertainment rather than remain trainees. Kim Soyeon later debuted as a solo artist under P NATION, Han Jiwon transitioned into acting under BH Entertainment, Park Nari found success as a fashion model and television personality, Yoon Chaeyeon debuted in an indie-pop duo before pursuing songwriting, and Seo Dabin signed with KOZ Entertainment as a producer and occasional solo performer.

TEAM VENUS - WINNER

Team Venus were undeniably Son Jinhwa's. Featuring Jung Yoonah (Baebi), Chloe Lee, Kim Sena, Kim Nakyoung, and Haliya Dela Cruz, the group was consistently praised by Jinhwa for possessing something that could not be taught: star quality. While other teams were often evaluated on vocals or dancing, Team Venus was repeatedly criticized and praised for the same reason; They were unpredictable. "I don't want perfection," Jinhwa would tell the contestants throughout the show. "I want people you cannot stop looking at."

Their first two cover performances immediately established them as frontrunners. Their rendition of "Monster" by EXO shocked audiences with its theatrical concept and commanding stage presence, while their cover of "Buttons" by The Pussycat Dolls became one of the most replayed performances of the season. Though some viewers questioned the maturity of the concept, the performance generated enormous discussion online and propelled Team Venus into the top rankings.

Much of the attention centered around Jung Yoonah AKA Baebi, who entered the competition already known to the public after spending years as a successful child and teenage actress. Her decision to abandon a promising acting career to pursue idol training was heavily debated before the show's premiere, with many believing she was "too famous to be a trainee." Those doubts quickly disappeared as Yoonah proved herself to be one of the strongest performers in the competition, leading Korean forums to nickname her "the main character of PICKASTAR."

"Yoonah already knows how to captivate a camera. My job isn't teaching her how to be a star," Son Jinhwa would chuckle, "It's making sure the other girls can keep up."

The group's first original song, EUNG EUNG, only strengthened their position. The performance earned praise from Jinhwa for having a "clear artistic identity," something he claimed many of the other teams lacked.

Their "Loud and Proud" challenge song, GNARLY, proved to be one of the most divisive performances of the competition. Some viewers dismissed it as noisy and experimental, while others applauded the group's willingness to take risks instead of producing another safe idol track.

Their biggest surprise came during the "Cute and Soft" challenge. Performing DITTO. The performance silenced critics who claimed the group could only succeed with darker concepts and kept them neck-and-neck with Team Mars heading into the final rounds.

For the "Girl Crush" challenge, Team Venus performed CIRCUS, an ambitious and theatrical stage that embodied everything Jinhwa had preached throughout the competition. The song's unconventional structure, intricate choreography, and high-concept styling divided audiences but fascinated the judges.

By the finale, the competition had effectively become a battle between Team Mars and Team Venus, with online communities split almost perfectly in half. Team Venus unveiled their potential debut song, RED LIGHT. The performance was widely praised and immediately sparked discussion about whether it should be officially released regardless of the outcome.

When the final votes were revealed, public support reportedly leaned toward Team Mars, making Son Jinhwa's deciding vote the determining factor in the competition. Choosing Team Venus, he explained that while Team Mars represented the best team, Team Venus represented the future of Mydol Entertainment.

The decision instantly became one of the most controversial moments in Korean survival show history, with "Justice for Team Mars" trending across online communities for days. At the same time, many industry insiders defended Jinhwa's decision, arguing that Team Venus possessed an undeniable individuality that could not be manufactured.

History would ultimately vindicate him. Debuting under Mydol Entertainment with RED LIGHT and keeping the name VENUS, they quickly established themselves as one of the company's most successful acts, with Baebi becoming one of the defining idols of her generation and Chloe, Sena, Nakyoung, and Haliya developing dedicated fanbases of their own.

Even in 2026, however, fans continue to debate the outcome of PICKASTAR, making the rivalry between Team Mars and Team Venus one of the most iconic moments in K-pop survival show history.

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