Superstar K Returns With New Rules and Judges

"Superstar K," South Korea's longest-running TV talent show series will return with its eighth season with not only a new title and design logo, but also revised competition format and a new set of judges. These changes are done in hopes of bringing back the show's popularity.

In 2009, "Superstar K" premiered and became a hit series in South Korea. It was made as a yearly returning audition program and recorded its highest viewership rating of 18.1 percent in its second season, a huge feat for a cable show. The show also produced star singers such as Seo In Guk, Huh Gak, Busker Busker, and Roy Kim.

However, at the start of the season three, along with the change in PD, viewers began to get tired of the usual format, so the ratings of the show began to plummet. In the last season, the show's final stage viewer rating was only 2.4 percent.

The Korea Times reported that on Tuesday, during the press conference of the show at times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul for its new season, Chief Producer Kim Ki Woong said, "We made the biggest change with the Superstar K 2016 compared to all its previous seasons. We gave unprecedented changes to the judging panel to freshen it up for the audience."

Kim further added, "I believe the reason why we still make Superstar K series is because it is the only chance available for ordinary people to become a star. One can sing really well and he wants to become a singer but not anyone can do so, especially these days. Superstar K can change the life for singer wannabes with other jobs and I feel responsible for making their dreams come true."

The PD also mentioned he screened out unskillful auditioners and traveled nationwide to hold regional auditions for this season.

Superstar K 2016 will have seven judges who will be divided into three groups. Singers Kim Bum Soo, Gummy, and Kim Yeon Woo will score each of the team in "Legendary Vocal," Leesang's Gil and R&B singer Ailee will comprise the "Trendy Artist" group. The "Star Maker" group will have Brave Brothers and FNC Entertainment big boss Han Sung Ho. The new pattern of the judging process aims to broaden the criteria for judging, unlike the previous seasons where the judges only marked the auditioner's music talent.

There will also be a "Battle Round" where singers are given 20 seconds to charm the judges using their singing skills. The judges can press the "plus" button to extend the auditioner's singing time by 10 seconds and can only allow a maximum a 30 seconds. However, the singer will automatically drop out when he fails to receive approvals to qualify for the next round from more than four judges.

Superstar K 2016 will broadcast its first episode on September 22.