The return of the upgraded Shouske 3

Mnet’s Superstar K3 (A.K.A Shouske 3) will start its broadcast on the 12th. This program started in 2009, and gained public interest. It achieved the highest viewing audience of 18.1% in cable TV history, and instigated the beginning of many audition tv shows.

Everything has been upgraded in Shouske 3. The production cost is approximately $10,000,000, which is a record-high. The winner receives a prize of $500,000. $300,000 for cash prize, and $200,000 to produce a record. Not only that, each of the top four members receive a Nissan Cube vehicle.

Applicants from Korea, U.S., and China exceeded 1,960,000; this is higher than last year’s applicants by 600,000.

Lee Seung Chul and Yoon Jong Shin, who are known for their pithy remarks, were selected as judges for the third time. Yoon Mi Rae, who has a great deal of knowledge on Hiphop and R&B, joined the team. The ‘Incubating School’ is a new implemented system that helps the contestants establish themselves in the musical field.

Meanwhile, starting the 2nd of next month, Shouske 3 will be airing at the same hour as The Great Birth. The Great Birth being an imitation of Shouske, the competition will be of great interest. The Great Birth was dishonored by being an imitation, but by implementing the mentoring system, it succeeded in being distinguished from Shouske. In season 2 of The Great Birth, Lee Seung Hwan helps as the new mentor, and the program is still searching for four others.

The Great Birth has a few advantages: they air on terrestrial channel, and begin the show on 10:00 p.m, which is one hour before Shouske 3.

But, it will be hard to compete with the original audition show Shouske.

Lee Seung Chul, the judge of Shouske 3, said, “Many applicants who seemed to be talented enough for a debut attracted our interest.”

Source: en.korea.com