Superband () is a South Korean talent show produced by JTBC in 2019, where indie musicians were invited to perform and eventually create a "superband", competing against each other.
The average viewership rating was around 3%, and the show received positive and negative feedback, as well. The concept and its genre diversity was praised, while the media heavily criticised the lack of female participants. Only involving the viewers in the decision process at the end of the show drew criticism, as well.
Besides the winning band, the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th place bands also signed with different production companies after the show.
The winner was Hoppipolla. The show was produced by the same production team of Phantom Singer and Hidden Singer.
Concept The show invited 121 indie musicians, from street performers to classical musicians, representing a variety of genres. The judges pre-selected a handful of participants, whose task was to create ad-hoc bands during the show and compete against each other. The main prize was a hundred million KRW, a recording contract, a world tour, and an SUV.
Out of the 121 participants, 53 were selected for the show, the pre-selection process was not aired. The selected musicians staged introductory performances during the first two episodes, during which some performances were only uploaded to an online platform. During the first two rounds, each stage consisted of one battle of two ad-hoc bands. 16 frontmen for these bands were picked by the judges (named 'Producers' in the show), the frontmen then picked their desired team members. A musician could only be picked for one team. Stages were evaluated by judges, who gave points for each performance. At the end of the rounds, weakest musicians from the losing teams of the battles were eliminated.
The show was mainly pre-produced and recorded, and broadcast heavily edited. The finals were aired live. During the finals, points from the first and second semi-finals (35%), online pre-voting (5%) and text message voting from viewers during the live broadcast (60%) decided final ranking.
Judges The judges, named "Producers" in the show:
Participants Instrument Name Rounds (R) Semi-finals Finals Note 1R 2R 3R 4R Singer Kim Woo-sung () Member of The Rose Kim Ji-beom () Shin Gwang-il () Member of LUCY I'll winning team No Min-woo's brother, member of Hoppipolla Ahn Seong-jin ()member of The Vipers Lee Yong-hun () Lee Ju-hyeok ()Member of the Gift (), 5th place in Sing again2 Lee Chan-sol ()Member of Bandage Im Geun-ju () Member of Kaneungdong baendeu () Zairo () Jo Gon ()Member of 9001The original band name was Oyster, but the band name was changed to 9001 in 2020 Jo Han-gyeol ()Yu Ji-sang () Son of Yoo Dong-geun () and Jeon In-hwa () Chanhwi () Chae Bo-hun () The VANE Choi Sang-yeop ()Member of LUCY Kevin Oh () Winner of Superstar K 7 Ha Hyun-sang () winning team member of Hoppipolla Hong Isaac () guitar Kim Yeong-so () winning teammember of Hoppipolla Kim Jun-hyeop () Member of 9001 Park Ji-hwan ()Member of Yaenebara (), member of The Midnight Romance Sin Hyeon-bin ()Member of Bandage Yang Ji-wan () Member of Cardean () Lee Gang-ho () Im Hyeong-bin ()Pastmember of BandageHwang Seung-min ()Member of Shirts Boy Frank () bass guitar Kim Ha-jin () Member of Cardean () Kim Hyeong-u () Member of Gift () Lee Jeong-hun () Jo Won-sang ()Member of Yaenebara () and LUCY drums Gang Gyeong-yun ()Member of Bandage Kim Chi-heon () Park Yeong-jin () Lee Si-yeong () Jeong Gwang-hyeon () Choi Yeong-jin () Hwang Min-jae ()Member of One Nation (),now disbanded member of D82 pianokeyboards Kim Gyu-mok ()Member of HOA () Lee Na-u () saxophone Kim Dong-beom () Mellow Kitchen () classic guitar Kim U-tak () Violin Nam Geun-hyeong () Benji () Member of B.I.G Shin Ye-chan () Member of Kaneungdong baendeu () and LUCY cello Park Chan-yeong () Hong Jinho () winning team member of Hoppipolla disc jockey Nomad () DPOLE () harmonica Park Jong-seong () accordion Lee Ja-won () percussions Jeong Sol ()
Performances Episodes 3–5: 1st round Eliminated participants Chanhwi Choi Sang-yeop Kim Chi-heon Park Jong-seong
Episode Battle Team Members Song title Original performer Video Producer points 3. 1 Jo Won-sang Jo Won-sangLee Gang-hoIm Hyeong-binKim Yeong-so Adventure of a Lifetime Coldplay 5:0 Ha Hyun-sang Ha Hyun-sangShin Ye-chanHong Jin-ho Viva La Vida Coldplay 2 Hong Isaac Hong IsaacJeong SolLee Na-uLee Ja-won Childhood Memories() own composition 1:4 Kevin Oh Kevin OhLee Jong-hunGang Gyeong-yun Fireflies Owl City 4. 3 Benji BenjiDPOLEJo Han-gyeol Fairy of Shampoo () () 3:2 Im Geun-ju Im Geun-juKim U-takNam Geun-hyeongPark Chan-yeong Oh You Are My Beautiful Lady() Deulgukhwa () 4 I'll I'llKim Dong-beomKim Chi-heonPark Ji-hwan Spring Day BTS 2:3 Zai.Ro Zai.RoSin Gwang-ilLee Yong-hunYu Ji-sang Hard To Say I'm Sorry Chicago 5 Yang Ji-wan Yang Ji-wanKim Ha-jinJeong Gwang-hyeonChae Bo-hun Paradise Lost Gain 1:4 An Seong-jin An Seong-jinHwang Seung-minKim Gyu-mokChoi Yeong-jin Marble () own composition 5. 6 Kim Woo-sung Kim Woo-sungLee Chan-sol Sign of the Times Harry Styles 3:2 Choi Sang-yeop Choi Sang-yeopPark Jong-seong Strange () Lee Juck 7 Lee Ju-hyeok Lee Ju-hyeokKim Hyeong-uNomad O Coldplay 4:1 Mellow Kitchen Mellow KitchenPark Yeong-jinChanhwi Problem Ariana Grande ––Kim Ji-beomKim Ji-beomSin Hyeon-binLee Si-yeong5GLOVEown compositionnot broadcast (winner: Kim Ji-beom's team)Jo GonJo GonKim Jun-hyeopHwang Min-jaeKidultown composition
Episodes 5–7: 2nd round Eliminated participants Lee Yong-hun Im Geun-ju Jo Gon Lee Gang-ho Kim Gyu-mok Mellow Kitchen Nam Geun-hyeong Jeong Sol
Episode Battle Team Members Song title Original performer Video Producer points 5. 1 I'll I'llKim Yeong-soNomadHong Jin-ho Castle on the Hill Ed Sheeran 3:2 Chae Bo-hun Chae Bo-hunJeong Gwang-hyeonLee Na-u Stop Crying Your Heart Out Oasis 6. 2 Jo Won-sang Jo Won-sangLee Gang-hoJeong SolHa Hyun-sang Virtual Insanity Jamiroquai 0:5 Kevin Oh Kevin OhGang Gyeong-yunSin Gwang-ilPark Chan-yeong Is There Nobody? () () 3 Kim Ji-beom Kim Ji-beomSin Hyeong-binJo Gon Love Me Through the Night own composition 2:3 Benji BenjiKim Dong-beomLee Ja-wonTEASER () own composition 4 An Seong-jin An Seong-jinKim Gyu-mokChoi Yong-jinHwang Seung-min F=ma own composition 2:3 Park Yeong-jin Park Yeong-jinKim Ha-jinYang Ji-wanHong Isaac Royals Lorde 7. 5 Kim Woo-sung Kim Woo-sungDPOLEMellow KitchenKim Hyeong-u ILYSB (I Love You So Bad) LANY 1:4 Lee Jeong-hun Lee Jeong-hunHwang Min-jaeLee Chan-sol Skyfall Adele 6 Lee Ju-hyeok Lee Ju-hyeokIm Hyeong-binKim Jun-hyeop Adolescence () Yoon Sang 4:1 Sin Ye-chan Sin Ye-chanKim U-takNam Geun-hyeongIm Geun-ju Days of Our Past () Yu Jae-ha 7 Park Ji-hwan Park Ji-hwanLee Yong-hunYu Ji-sang There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back Shawn Mendes 1:4 Zai.ro Zai.roJo Han-gyeolLee Si-yeong Smooth Santana
Episodes 8–9: 3rd round Eliminated participants Kim Ji-beom Kim Dong-beom Nomad Lee Ja-won Kim U-tak
Episode Battle Team Members Song title Original performer Video Producer points 8. 1 Kevin Oh Kevin OhGang Gyeong-yunKim Jun-hyeopNomad Halo Beyoncé 0:5 Zai.ro Zai.roLee Si-yeongJo Han-gyeol Sucker Jonas Brothers 2 I'll I'llKim Hyeong-uHa Hyun-sangHong Jin-ho 1000x Jarryd James 5:0 Lee Na-u Lee Na-uKim Yeong-soKim Woo-sung Home Park Hyo-shin 3 DPOLE DPOLEKim Dong-beomIm Hyeong-binHwang Seung-min Ghostbusters Ray Parker Jr. 0:5 Choi Yeong-jin Choi Yeong-jinPark Chan-yeongLee Chan-sol Say Something A Great Big World 9. 4 Lee Jong-hun Lee Jong-hunJeong Gwang-hyeonChae Bo-hun The Dance in the Rhythm() Kim Wan-sun 0:5 Lee Ju-hyeok Lee Ju-hyeokSin Gwang-ilSin Ye-chan Hold Back The River James Bay 5 Park Ji-hwan Park Ji-hwanKim U-takLee Ja-won Yo Soy Maria Astor Piazzolla 2:3 Benji BenjiAn Seong-jinYu Ji-sang SingPentatonix 6 Park Yeong-jin Park Yeong-jinKim Ha-jinYang Ji-wanHong Isaac The Time Of My Life Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes 4:1 Sin Hyeong-bin Sin Hyeong-binKim Ji-beomJo Won-sangHwang Min-jae You In The Vague Memory() Hyun Jin-young
Episodes 10–11: 4th round Eliminated participants Park Yeong-jin Park Ji-hwan Hwang Seung-minLee Si-yeong Park Chan-yeong Sin Hyeon-bin Jo Han-gyeol An Seong-jin Yu Ji-sang
Episode Battle Team Members Song title Original performer Video 10. 1 Kim Yeong-so Kim Yeong-soJeong Gwang-hyeonPark Chan-yeongPark Yeong-jin Arirang Fantasy() own composition (Kim Yeong-so) 90 75 422 2 Hwang Min-jae Hwang Min-jaeKim Woo-sungKim Ha-jinPark Ji-hwan Cake by The Ocean DNCE 86 75 408 3 Kim Jun-hyeop Kim Jun-hyeopGang Gyeong-yunLee Chan-solIm Hyeong-bin Still Fighting It Ben Folds 95 89 455 4 Lee Na-u Lee Na-uYang Ji-wanKevin OhHong Isaac With You () own composition 90 78 423 5 Kim Hyeong-u Kim Hyeong-uI'llHa Hyun-sangHong Jin-ho Creep Radiohead 98 82 443 11. 6 Jo Han-gyeol Jo Han-gyeolZai.roYu Ji-sangLee Si-yeong Tears in Heaven Eric Clapton 88 85 430 7 Lee Ju-hyeok Lee Ju-hyeokSin Gwang-ilSin Ye-chanJo Won-sang Swim Fickle Friends 93 88 453 8 Benji BenjiSin Hyeon-binLee Jong-hunChoi Yeong-jin Dancin own composition 95 87 452 9 Hwang Seung-min Hwang Seung-minDPOLEAn Seong-jinChae Bo-hun Umbrella () own composition (Chae Bo-hun) 90 79 429
Episode 12: 1st semi-final Producer pointsYun S.J. HahnYun J.Lee S.Kim J.Lucy910950960Moné960900920Hoppipolla930900People on the Bridge920930900Purple Rain890930930Aftermoon910910900
# Team Members Song title Original performer Video 12. 1 Hoppipolla() I'll Kim Yeong-so Ha Hyun-sangHong Jin-ho Hoppípolla Sigur Rós 9508604,5902,6607,250 2 Aftermoon() Kevin Oh DPOLE Lee Jong-hun Choi Yeong-jin Time After Time Cyndi Lauper 9308304,4802,6007,080 3 Lucy() Lee Ju-hyeok Sin Gwang-il Sin Ye-chan Jo Won-sang Cry Bird Tennyson 9808304,6402,8207,460 4 Moné() Zai.ro Kim Woo-sung Benji Hong Isaac Hwang Min-jae Take Me Away () own composition 9808504,6102,4307,040 5 Purple Rain () Yang Ji-wan Kim Ha-jin Lee Na-uJeong Gwang-hyeon Chae Bo-hun Dream On Aerosmith 9908504,5902,7507,340 6 People on the Bridge () Lee Chan-sol Gang Gyeong-yun Kim Jun-hyeopKim Hyeong-uIm Hyeong-bin Best Of You Foo Fighters 9908504,5902,5407,130
Episode 13: 2nd semi-final Producer pointsYun S.J. HahnYun J.Lee S.Kim J.Lucy970Hoppipolla940950910Purple Rain940940930Moné960940940Aftermoon900920930People on the Bridge920900930
# Team Members Song title Original performer Video 13. 1 People on the Bridge Lee Chan-sol, Gang Gyeong-yun, Kim Jun-hyeop, Kim Hyeong-u, Im Hyeong-bin Find You Again own composition 9508804,5802,1206,700 2 Moné Zai.ro, Kim Woo-sung, Benji, Hong Isaac, Hwang Min-jae Wooing () own composition 9709304,7402,6607,400 3 Aftermoon Kevin Oh, DPOLE, Lee Jong-hun, Choi Yong-jin Before Sunrise own composition 9608804,5902,1706,760 4 Lucy Lee Ju-hyeok, Sin Gwang-il, Sin Ye-chan, Jo Won-sang Snooze () own composition 9809504,8602,3607,220 5 Purple Rain Yang Ji-wan, Kim Ha-jin, Lee Na-u, Jeong Gwang-hyeon, Chae Bo-hun Never Enough The Greatest Showman OST 9809004,6902,5507,240 6 Hoppipolla I'll, Kim Yeong-so, Ha Hyun-sang, Hong Jin-ho Wake Me Up Avicii 9909004,6902,7307,420
Results after semi-finals Ranking Team Points Pass 1 Lucy 14,680 2 Hoppipolla 14,670 3 Purple Rain 14,580 4 Moné 14 440 5 Aftermoon 13,840 6 People on the Bridge 13,830
Episode 14: Final Finals were broadcast live and viewers could vote for each team via text message.
# Team Members Song title Originalperformer Video Online pre-vote Text message voting 14. 1 Purple Rain Yang Ji-wan, Kim Ha-jin, Lee Na-u, Jeong Gwang-hyeon, Chae Bo-hun Old And Wise The Alan Parsons Project 1,974 points 22,498 points 2 Hoppipolla I'll, Kim Yeong-so, Ha Hyun-sang, Hong Jin-ho One More Light Linkin Park 2,958 points 30,711 points 3 Moné Zai.ro, Kim Woo-sung, Benji, Hong Isaac, Hwang Min-jae idc (i don't care) own composition 1,844 points 22,172 points 4 Lucy Lee Ju-hyeok, Sin Gwang-il, Sin Ye-chan, Jo Won-sang Flare own composition 1,562 points 24,682 points