Mnet isn’t the only network that’s gearing up to air a survival show. MBC is throwing its hat into the ring with Extreme Debut: Wild Idol, which is set to premiere this coming September.

Extreme Debut: Wild Idol’s format is unique, to say the least. Forty-five male trainees will participate in what the show calls an “extreme outdoor bootcamp.” Basically, it’s a combination of a traditional idol survival show and an outdoor variety show. Not only will the trainees have to showcase their dancing, rapping, and singing, but their ability to survive in the wild (especially their mental toughness and physical strength) will also be put to the test.

Early reports suggest that the show will feature less performances and more reality show challenges. Some showbiz-watchers say that it seems Extreme Debut: Wild Idol is looking to put together an entirely new kind of idol group—one that will be known for their performances and variety skills. If that’s true, it will be interesting to see what the general public’s response to that will be, because many have complained that the current generation of idols aren’t very interesting to watch when they appear on variety shows.

So far, MBC has kept a tight lid on what will happen to the trainees who win this show. There are no details on how the so-called “wild idol group” will operate, and the name of its future agency has yet to be made public. But it will most likely be a temporary group like Wanna One, which Mnet formed through Produce 101 season two. Incidentally, that survival show was produced by star PD Han Dong Chul, whose company is producing this one.

Han Dong Chul used to be with Mnet, where he led popular programs like the Produce 101 franchise, Show me the Money, SIXTEEN, and Unpretty Rapstar. After transferring to YG Entertainment, he helmed MIXNINE and TREASURE BOX. He left that company after a while to establish his own production company called Funky Studio, which is producing Extreme Debut: Wild Idol. He’s expected to use his skills to make this show every bit as exciting and splashy as his previous work.

Regarding the trainees, previous press releases on the show emphasized that it was looking for talents under small agencies. Furthermore, all 45 trainees were instructed to not reveal their real ages and names for the duration of the show. They will be known only by their numbers, because the production staff wants them to be judged solely on their abilities or skills, not their backgrounds.

But despite their best efforts to keep the trainees’ identities a closely-guarded secret, viewers will probably recognize some of them, especially those who have debuted before. Some of the trainees have competed on more than one survival show before signing up for this one.

Doha –This 17-year-old debuted in November 2020 as BAE173’s lead rapper and vocalist. Before joining PocketDol Studio, he was also cast by BigHit Music and SM Entertainment. Doha was also a popular child actor.

Kangmin – He debuted in 2017 as the main vocalist and maknae of TS Entertainment’s controversial boy group TRCNG. In 2019, the group lost their leader and one of their dancers after they sued TS Entertainment. They have been inactive since then, but they haven’t formally disbanded. Kangmin’s special skill is b-boying.

Jinkwon - The leader and vocalist of Newkidd debuted in April 2019 as part of the group’s original lineup, but before that he also participated in the pre-debut sub-unit Newkidd02.

Ayno – VAV’s Ayno, 25, debuted in February 2017 as the main dancer, main rapper, visual, and vocalist of the group. Before that, he competed in NO.MERCY, the survival show that produced Starship Entertainment’s MONSTA X.

Kijung – He placed eighth on KBS2’s The Unit and debuted as the lead vocalist and maknae of UNB in April 2019. UNB disbanded as planned in January 2019. Before that, he was in the short-lived 2017 group IM, and he was also rumored to be in BAE173’s lineup before they debuted.

Junyoung – Junyong, 26, debuted with NOIR in April 2018. He served as the main vocalist of the group. Before that, he was in the 2016 group INX. He and N.CUS‘s Seungyong are brothers.

Jiseong – This 16-year-old rookie is NTX’s main rapper and producer. Before debuting with the group in March 2021, he majored in rap at his arts high school and released a grand total of four mixtapes—a sign that he’s a prolific and skilled musician.

Jaejun – Before all three TREI members terminated their contracts in June 2020, this 23-year-old was the group’s leader, lead vocalist, main dancer, and visual. In 2012, he was a member of C-CLOWN.

Yeonggwang – At 23, he’s the maknae, vocalist, and visual of VANNER, which debuted in February 2019. He’s fluent in Japanese and Korean, and his role model is Gikwang of HIGHLIGHT.

Changsun – He’s the leader, main dancer, and vocalist of 24K, which debuted in September 2012. He also joined MIXNINE, where he was cut in episode seven. This Gukje University dance major is 25 years old.

Jooan – This 24-year-old debuted in May 2019 as the lead vocalist and main dancer of WE IN THE ZONE. They disbanded earlier this year. He’s a really good guitar player and songwriter.

Sunghyuk – In October 2017, Sunghyuk debuted in RAINZ, a seven-member group composed of former Produce 101 season two contestants. On the show, he ranked No. 31 and was eliminated in the finale. The group promoted for one year before disbanding in October 2018.

Jaechan – This Produce 101 season two alum was the rapper, maknae, and vocalist of the duo XRO, which debuted in July 2020. He listens to foreign songs and does voice impressions.

Yuri – After competing on Produce X 101, Yuri debuted in JXR. This Korean-Russian model was in the Russian military before moving to South Korea to pursue an idol career. Aside from Arirang’s After School Club, which he briefly co-hosted, he’s also known for his role as Shax member Bang Do Jin in the drama Imitation.

Rui - 21-year-old Rui debuted as Seven O’Clock’s maknae and rapper in 2017. He participated in Under Nineteen, where he ranked No. 13. He returned to Seven O’Clock after the show, but the group sadly disbanded in March 2021.

Timothee -This French-Korean model auditioned for Produce X 101 alongside Yuri. Both of them represented their agency ESTEEM Entertainment. Unfortunately, he was eliminated from the show in the first round. However, it was later revealed that Timothee was one of the trainees whose votes were manipulated by the show's producers.

There are others, but the aforementioned 16 are the ones who will most likely be familiar to viewers.

In Extreme Debut: Wild Idol, the celebrity panelists won’t serve as the trainees’ mentors. Instead, they’ll be commenting on their journeys from the studio. Kim Jong Kook will be the MC, and he’ll be joined by different stars: actor Cha Tae Hyun, actress Lee Sun Bin, actress/model Lee Hyun Hee, and idols Sunggyu of INFINITE and Yujeong of Brave Girls.

The show is set to premiere next month. Will you be tuning in?