The K-pop audition series for girls is heading towards a significantly tougher stage of the competition with major eliminations coming up ahead, as teased by the SBS Universe Ticket Episode 4 preview and pre-release video. The Korean reality survival race commenced on November 18, and has been bringing emotional dramas of varying degrees every week, testing the contestants and audiences’ patience. SBS’ debut competition series (유니버스 티켓), originally holding the title, Universe Ticket: The Miracle of 82, has been produced by Lee Hwan-jin, known for yet another survival audition program, Loud (2021), featuring PSY and Park Jin-young (JYP Entertainment), and the variety game show Running Man.
Episode 4 preview video released on December 4, and revealed the dangers of the upcoming major elimination round. Nearly half of the contestants’ roster will be cut down during the new broadcast as the competition heads into an even fiercer chapter for these girls, who’ll be pushed to their limits to bring on their A-game. Additionally, another pre-release video that dropped on December 5 offered the audience a look into how the mentors will be conveying strong words about leadership and the responsibilities associated with the role to the contestants in the upcoming episode.
Meanwhile, weekly viewers of the show have expressed their concern about Alyssa not getting enough screen time on various social media platforms. Will they be heard by the show’s production team? Only time will tell. Episode 4 onwards, only 41 contestants will be moving forward in the competition and taking a step closer to victory, while the remaining 50% of the competitors will be sent home.
The series originally brought in 82 contestants hailing from global countries like Canada, Australia, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Myanmar, France, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, and Italy, all born before the year 2011. The show’s finale will result in the declaration of 8 last-standing contestants as debuting members of a girl group that will be signed under the entertainment label, F&F Entertainment, for 2.5 years. The Universe Ticket audition series has welcomed a star-studded lineup of mentors for the girls. This stellar list of regular judges includes 7 South Korean celebs – Actor/singer Kim Sejeong, Girls’ Generation’s Hyoyeon, Yeji and Chaeryeong of ITZY, K-pop soloist Younha, and choreographer Choi Rian of LACHICA dance crew.
SBS Universe Ticket Episode 4 Release Date
The fourth episode is slated to release on December 6, 2023, Wednesday, at 10:40 PM KST (updated time). Fan votes were allowed to be casted till December 5, 11:59 PM KST.
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Where to Watch SBS Universe Ticket Episode 4
The next episode will most likely be live-streamed on YouTube, in addition to being broadcasted on the South Korean network SBS TV. International audiences can also view the episodes on streaming platforms Viu or Viki later.
Watch the SBS Universe Ticket Episode 4 Preview / Trailer
Brief Universe Ticket Episode 3 Recap
The Battle Week Revenge Battle that started last week divided all contestants into teams, pitting two of them against each other, as one squad stepped in as the Challengers and the other came in as Winners. Among these, the teams that have already won this round are, the TT team with Vu Linh Dan, Gabi, Lim Seowon, Oh Daeun (leader), Kwon Eunhyung, Choi Hyerin, Nako and Yuri; Team Diva with Jeong Huigyeong, Yui Idota, Cho Chaeyoung, Yuriko Honma, Oh Yoona, Jeon Jinyeong, Jang Sua and Riel; Team Into the New World with Kwon Chaewon, Lee Sunwoo, Heo Sunbin, Kim Soyul, Bang Yunha, Yoon Sooin, Goo Gyoryeon, Jung Jiwon and Lee Huran.
Three teams are yet to perform in the fourth episode, the aftermath of which will determine two more winning teams.
List of Universe Ticket Contestants
The SBS Global Audition 2023 Universe Ticket lineup consists of 82 contestants, and it was revealed in intervals. The first announcement included the following 41 contestants’ profiles – Heo Sunbin, Choi Hyerin (also seen on Girls Planet 999), Choi Yeojin, Choi Sungeun, Cho Chaeyoung, Gehlee Dangca, JAYLA, Jung Jiwon, Jeon Jinyeong, Jang Sua, Jang Subin, Lim Seowon (trot singer), Lee Suan, Lee Soovin, Yoon Sooin, Yu, Oh Daeun, Yang Eugene, Yamaguchi Yuriko, Alyssa, Aya Natsumi, Xiaoyu, Vu Linh Dan, Bang Yunha, Park Yehyeon, Vanesya, Mila, Minari, May, Riel, Laura, Noh Yeonwoo, Nako, Nana (former PRIKIL member), Kim Hyojin, Kim Soobin, Kim Soyul, Kim Seoyeon, Kwon Chaewon (formerly known as Eunchae of DIA), Kwon Eunhyung and Gabi. (Check out their profiles here)
The second announcement revealed the remaining 41 contestants as Goo Gyoryeon, Kwon Yejin, Kim Sumin, Kim Sujin, Kim Yuri, Kim Chaea, Kim Chaewon, Kim Hyemi, Narumi, Natchayathorn, Nizi, Park Yewon (former Hot Issue member), Bae Yeram (former Play With Me Club member), Bae Haram, Ahn Seungbi (former Play With Me Club member), Anxin, Enny, Elisia, Oh Yoona (former Play With Me Club member), Yona, Oukikk, Yuri, Yoo Yena (former member of groups Cookie, Dream Candy and LUNA KIDS).
Completing the list, the last few contestants are, Yukino (former PRIKIL member), Ido Tayui, Lee Sunwoo, Izumi, Lee Jine, Lee Huran, Jang Minju (former Majors member), Zhou Jiaqi, Jeon Jieun (former Busters member), Jeong Huigyeong, Jessica, Cho Minseo, Jin Hyeonju (former Good Day and cignature member), Kotoko, Pia, Honma Yuriko, Hwang Sieun, and Lee Eunchae.
Are you watching the new SBS girl group audition 2023 series these days? Let us know your favourite contestants so far in the comments section below.