EBS Hello Rookie Contest

EBS Hello Rookie Contest is a South Korean music competition aimed at discovering rookies, which began in 2007. The competition began as a project for rookies at The EBS space in 2007, and has been hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and co-hosted by the Korea Creative Content Agency and The EBS space since 2008. The two teams selected through video screening and public auditions every month have been introduced as "Hello Rookie of the Month (이 달의 헬로 루키)" on the stage of The EBS space, and application qualifications will be given to rookie musicians whose first album has been released for less than 2 years, or who have never released an album. EBS Hello Rookie Contest is considered an influential competition in the Korean independent music industry, the competition that sets the stage for rookie musicians to become famous.

2007
Hello Rookie began in 2007, and the first year was a side program of The EBS space, where EBS's solo competition was held.

2008
Since 2008, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korea Creative Content Agency, and Naver have co-hosted the competition with The EBS space, and with the final stage and award newly held. The competition have been divided into the first place "the Grand Prize", and the second plcae "the Special award for judges" and the "Popularity Award". Cha Seung-woo and Jang Yoon-ju hosted the final stage, and Kim Chang-wan Band and Onnine Ibalgwan performed special performances.

2009
In 2009, 22 new musicians and bands were named Hello Rookie, and 7 of whom made it to the final stage. There were special performances by Guckkasten, Kiha & The Faces, Kim Soo-chul and Lee Seung-hwan. Kim C and Jang Yoon-ju hosted the final stage.

2010
In 2010, Jang Ki-ha and Jang Yoon-ju hosted the final stage, coinciding with the sixth anniversary of EBS Space Hall. There were special performances by Bom Yeoreum Gaeul Kyeoul, Crying Nut, Clazziquai Project, Sweet Sorrow, Guckkasten, Apollo 18 and Supreme Team.

2011
In 2011, Lee Seung-hwan was both the special stage and the host without a separate guarantee. Horan co-hosted the final stage, and there were special performances by Garion, Galaxy Express and Yaya.

2012
In 2012, Lee Seung-hwan and Younha hosted the final stage, and there were special performances by Bye Bye Badman, Daybreak and Crying Nut. From the year, the Popularity Award disappeared, and it was divided into the second-place qualifying Excellence Award and the third-place qualifying Special award for judges.

2013
Since 2013, the number of musicians who can perform in the final stage has decreased to six. Lee Seung-hwan and Rooftop Moonlight hosted the final stage. Core Magazine, Hello Rookie OB Special (Gate Flowers, Lee Jeonghoon, Baek Joonmyeong) and Delispice performed a special stage.

2014
One of the final-stage bands, We hate JH failed to qualify earlier, but was selected as a wildcard. Lee Seung-hwan and Lady Jane hosted the final stage and there were special performances by Rock N Roll Radio, Idiotape, Hello Rookie OB Special (Daybreak X Romantic Punch), and Jeon In-kwon Band.

2015
In 2015, Lee Seung-hwan and Choi Hee hosted the final stage, and there were special performances by Ham Chun-ho & Jang Pil-soon, Guckkasten, The Solutions X The Koxx, and Cranfield.

2016
In 2016, Lee Wonseok of Daybreak and Joo Woo-jae hosted the final stage. There were special performances by Song Chang-sik, Lee Seung-yeol x The Monotones, Sultan of the Disco, and A-Fuzz.

2018
2017 was the year EBS moved to Ilsandong-gu, and the competition was not held because it was difficult to proceed with the competition during this process. In 2018, a competition was held with six judges, including musicians, music critics, and performance producer. There were special performances of Moon Dancers, Romantic Punch, Kirara, Life and Time, and Daybreak.

2019
In 2019, Daybreak's Lee Wonseok and Soran's Ko Youngbae hosted the final stage. There were special performances by Peppertones, Se So Neon, Wussami and Surl.

2022
2020 and 2021 were not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From July 2022, 6 musicians were selected for the final stage through two music screenings, live screenings, and the third round. There were special performances by Soran, Nucksal X Cadejo and Silica Gel.