Produce 101 season 1

Produce 101 is a reality competition show created by Mnet. It premiered on January 22, 2016, at 22:00 KST and aired every Friday.

It is the first season of the South Korean version of the franchise of the same name. The second season premiered on April 7, 2017, this time featuring all male contestants.

Concept and format
Produce 101 was a large-scale girl group unit project produced by CJ ENM and Signal Entertainment Group for Mnet. The show was produced in collaboration with 46 entertainment companies from both inside and outside of South Korea. At about four billion won (approximately $3.33 million), it had the second-largest budget out of all Mnet TV programs at the time.

The show's concept hinged on audience participation: the viewers got to choose the final group's members, concept, debut song, and name. Out of the 101 contestants, they could select eleven girls to debut. The resulting unit would release their debut extended play under Stone Music Entertainment and promote together for a year. The group would be co-managed by YMC Entertainment. After their contract period ended, the members were allowed to join any girl groups or projects that their agencies were planning.

Promotions and broadcast
On December 17, 2015, 98 out of the 101 contestants were unveiled for the first time on Episode 453 of M Countdown, where they performed the show's theme song "Pick Me". The stage was presented by actor and singer Jang Keun-suk. From December 18 to 25, 2015, the participants were revealed via the official website, Facebook, Instagram, and Naver TV Cast. Each girl was introduced through a written profile, photos, and videos.

On January 21, 2016, a production presentation for the show was held at the 63 Convention Center in Yeouido, Seoul. The event was attended by the contestants, the presenter Jang Keun-suk, and the five vocal, dance, and rap mentors, namely Brown Eyed Girls' JeA, Kim Sung-eun, Kahi, Bae Yoon-jung, and Cheetah.

The trainees moved into the dorms on December 5, 2015. The stages for the first group mission were held at the CJ E&M studio in Ilsan on December 27, 2015.

In Japan, the first episode of Produce 101 aired on Mnet Japan on April 3, 2016, with the remaining episodes airing every Friday starting from April 8. In the Asia and North America regions, the show premiered on May 4, 2016, and was then broadcast through Channel M every Wednesday starting from May 11.

Cast
The show was presented by actor and singer Jang Keun-suk.

The rest of the mentors, who were tasked with training the contestants in various categories, were:
 * Vocal Trainers:
 * JeA
 * Kim Sung-eun
 * Dance Trainers:
 * Kahi
 * Bae Yoon-jung
 * Rap Trainer:
 * Cheetah
 * Fitness Trainer:
 * Ray Yang

Contestants

 * Color key (In order of contestant's rank on the show)

Ranking
The top 11 contestants were chosen through popularity online voting via the official website and the audience's live voting, the results of which were shown at the end of each episode.


 * Color key:

First voting period
The first voting period took place from January 22 to February 13, 2016. Viewers were allowed to vote for eleven contestants daily.

Eliminations were based on individual total points.

Notes
 * On Episode 4, an additional 1000 points are given to the girls of the winning teams.
 * The ranking for Episode 5 is the result of combining the girls' online votes and live votes from the previous episode.

Second voting period
The second voting period took place from February 20 to March 5, 2016. Viewers were allowed to vote for eleven contestants daily.

Eliminations were based on individual total points.

Note
 * The ranking for Episodes 7 and 9 were not shown due to the second and third elimination.

Third voting period
The third voting period took place from March 11 to March 19, 2016. At first, it was announced that the voting limit would be decreased from eleven to seven, and was later lowered again to five. Once voting opened, however, viewers were only allowed to select one contestant daily.

Eliminations were based on individual total points.

Result
During the last episode, which aired on April 1, 2016, presenter Jang Keun-suk announced the girl group's name: I.O.I.

Controversy
Controversy arose after Ilgan Sports leaked the contract terms between CJ E&M and the Produce 101 trainees' agencies to the public on February 16, 2016. According to the contract, the agencies and trainees are prohibited from legal action against manipulated edits made on the show and from revealing unreleased information. While the agencies share music production costs, trainees will not receive payment for participating in the show and CJ E&M will take half of any profits from Produce 101 music releases, with the agencies of members featured in the release sharing the remainder.

An affiliate of the show stated that "it [was] regrettable that the contents of the contract were revealed" and emphasized that the terms outlined in the contract are "legally common" and "made to protect the editorial rights of producers and to prevent any spoilers of the show."

Aftermath
I.O.I released its debut EP Chrysalis on May 4, 2016. The group disbanded on January 29, 2017 after the release of their final single titled "Downpour".
 * Several group members resumed activities for their respective agencies:
 * Jung Chae-yeon (7th) (with label mate Ki Hee-hyun) came back as a member of DIA for their 1st EP Happy Ending on June 14, 2016.
 * Kim Se-jeong (2nd) and Kang Mi-na (9th) (with label mate Kim Na-young) debuted as members of Gugudan and released their debut EP Act. 1 The Little Mermaid on June 28, 2016. The group officially disbanded on December 31, 2020. Kang Mi-na left Jellyfish Entertainment.
 * Yoo Yeon-jung (11th) was announced as the newest member of Korean-Chinese girl group Cosmic Girls and released their 2nd EP The Secret on August 17, 2016.
 * Zhou Jieqiong (6th) and Lim Na-young (10th) debuted as part of girl group Pristin and released their first EP Hi! Pristin on March 21, 2017. Pristin officially disbanded on May 24, 2019. Zhou Jieqiong stayed with Pledis Entertainment, while Lim Na-young departed from the label.
 * Zhou Jieqiong made her solo debut in China with the digital single "Why" on September 6, 2018.
 * Jeon So-mi (1st) signed an exclusive contract with JYP Entertainment in January 2017 for solo activities. She left JYP in August 2018, and signed with The Black Label in September 2018. She debuted as a soloist on June 13, 2019 with single "Birthday".
 * Kim Chung-ha (4th) appeared in soundtrack Strong Woman Do Bong-soon OST part 5 on March 17, 2017 and solo debuted EP Hands on Me on June 7, 2017 with title track "Why Don't You Know" featuring Nucksal. Kim Chung-ha left MNH Entertainment after seven years with the company on April 30, 2023.
 * Choi Yoo-jung (3rd) and Kim Do-yeon (8th) (with label mates Lee Seo-jung and Jung Haerim) debuted with girl group Weki Meki and released their debut EP Weme on August 8, 2017.
 * Kim So-hye's (5th) family decided to buy out her contract with RedLine Entertainment, and then set up a new agency, S&P (Shark & Penguin) Entertainment.


 * Some contestants debuted in or joined other groups:
 * Han Hye-ri (12th), Lee Su-hyun (13th), Kim So-hee (15th), Yoon Chae-kyung (16th), and Lee Hae-in (17th) formed I.B.I, which was known as I.O.I's "sister group" under LOEN Entertainment. They released their first single "MOLAE MOLAE" on August 18, 2016.
 * Kim So-hee (15th) and Yoon Chae-kyung (16th) later debuted in the project group C.I.V.A from the Mnet mockumentary The God of Music 2. The group released a remake of Diva's "Why Do You Call Me?".
 * Kim So-hee (15th) joined Nature on October 8, 2019.
 * Yoon Chae-kyung (16th) joined April on November 11, 2016. The group disbanded on January 28, 2022.
 * Park So-yeon (18th) and Lee Soo-min (31st) were set to debut in a new girl group under LOEN Entertainment in 2018 but never did.
 * Jeon So-yeon (20th) debuted with (G)I-DLE under Cube Entertainment on May 2, 2018.
 * Jung Eun-woo (21st), Park Si-yeon (25th), Kang Yae-bin (29th), Kim Min-kyeung (42nd), and Gang Gyeong-won (48th) debuted in Pristin under Pledis Entertainment. They released their first extended play Hi! Pristin on March 21, 2017, with the lead single "Wee Woo". The group disbanded on May 24, 2019.
 * Kim Seo-kyoung (30th) debuted with GWSN under Kiwi Pop. They released their first extended play The Park in the Night Part One, with the lead single "Puzzle Moon", on September 5, 2018.
 * Kim Hyeong-eun (33rd), Park Se-hee (43rd), Kim Min-ji (44th), and Lee Jin-hee (54th) debuted with BULLDOK under Kconic Entertainment. They released their first single "Why Not" on October 20, 2016. The group disbanded in late 2018.
 * Park Hae-young (38th), Kim Mi-so (73rd), and Heo Sa-em (75th) debuted with A.DE under 2able Company. They released their first single "Strawberry" on June 23, 2016. The group disbanded in late 2017.
 * Kim Si-hyeon (40th) debuted with Everglow under Yuehua Entertainment on March 18, 2019.
 * Jung Hae-rim (47th; under the stage name Elly) and Lee Seo-jeong (85th; under the stage name Sei) debuted with Weki Meki under Fantagio on August 8, 2017.
 * Kim Tae-ha (50th) joined Momoland under MLD Entertainment on April 4, 2017. She left the group on November 30, 2019.
 * Yu Su-a (53rd) was a member of the pre-debut group OAHSIS under Krazy Entertainment. They disbanded on October 11, 2019, before their official debut. She later re-debuted as a member of AQUA on November 17, 2018, with the digital single "Log In". The group disbanded in 2019 after their company closed down.
 * Lim Jung-min (57th; under the stage name Taeryeong) debuted with Lunarsolar under JPlanet Entertainment on September 2, 2020. The group disbanded on May 22, 2022.
 * Kang Si-hyeon (61st) and Kim Yun-ji (84th) debuted with Ariaz under Rising Entertainment, a sub-label of Star Empire Entertainment, on October 24, 2019. The group disbanded on April 10, 2022.
 * Kim Da-jeong (62nd) debuted with HashTag under Luk Factory. They released their first extended play The Girl Next Door, with the lead single "Hue", on October 11, 2017.
 * Ahn Yu-mi (63rd) was supposed to debut with Twinkle under Blessing Entertainment but the group's debut was canceled.
 * Kim Su-hyun (69th) debuted with Billlie under Mystic Story. They released their first extended play The Billage of Perception: Chapter One, with the lead single "Ring X Ring", on November 10, 2021.
 * Park Min-ji (71st) debuted with Secret Number under Vine Entertainment. They released their first extended play Who Dis? on October 27, 2021.
 * Ham Ye-ji (72nd; under the stage name Ham Ryeowon) debuted with Prism under LCH Entertainment on May 4, 2018, with the digital single "Chok". The group disbanded in January 2021 after their company was foreclosed due to financial issues.
 * Kim Ja-yeon (86th) joined 1NB under Trivus Entertainment on November 29, 2017. The group disbanded on April 27, 2018.
 * Lee Chae-lin (87th) debuted with Fanatics under FENT. They released their first extended play The Six, with the lead single "Sunday", on August 6, 2019.
 * Choi Yu-bin (88th) debuted with Nature under the stage name Chaebin on August 3, 2018.
 * Lee Se-heun (93rd) debuted with Girlkind under Nextlevel Entertainment on January 17, 2018. The group disbanded on August 13, 2022.
 * Lim Hyo-sun (99th) debuted with H.U.B under New Planet Entertainment on February 9, 2017. The group disbanded in February 2019.
 * Some contestants returned to their original groups:
 * Ki Hui-hyeon (19th) returned to DIA under the stage name Cathy. They made a comeback with their first extended play Happy Ending on June 14, 2016.
 * Ng Sze Kai (23rd) returned to the Hong Konger girl group As One. They released the single "Hey Ya!" on May 4, 2016.
 * Kwon Eun-bin (35th) officially joined CLC in June 2016.
 * Some contestants debuted as soloists:
 * Kim So-hee (15th) released her debut extended play The Fillette under The Music Works on November 8, 2017, with the lead single "Sobok Sobok" (feat. Yezi of Fiestar).
 * Park So-yeon (18th) released her debut single "Flower" under Gachi Entertainment on November 30, 2020.
 * Jeon So-yeon (20th) released her debut single "Jelly" under Cube Entertainment on November 5, 2017.
 * Kang Si-ra (22nd) released her debut single "Don't Wanna Forget" under Chungchun Music on January 18, 2017.
 * Hwang In-sun (27th) released her debut single "Emoticon" under Show Works on April 28, 2016.
 * Kim Ju-na (34th) released her debut single "Summer Dream" under Music K Entertainment on September 12, 2016.
 * Kang Si-won (36th) released her debut single "Click Click" under TNK Entertainment on April 4, 2019.
 * Choi Eun-bin (70th) released her debut single "Hmm" under Enterarts in 2018.
 * Kim Woo-jung (74th; under the stage name D.A.L) released her debut single "Fireworks" (feat. History's Kim Jae-ho under the stage name Bignose) under 2% Entertainment on August 4, 2016.
 * Some contestants left their companies or signed with or joined new ones:
 * Lee Su-hyun (13th) and Lee Hae-in (17th) left SS Entertainment in May 2016 after a legal battle.
 * Kim So-hee (15th) left The Music Works on July 11, 2019, and then signed with n.CH Entertainment.
 * Park So-yeon (18th) moved from LOEN Entertainment to its subsidiary FAVE Entertainment. She later left the company and signed with Gachi Entertainment.
 * Lee Soo-min (31st) left Fantagio in April 2016, stating that she was considering leaving the entertainment industry. However, she eventually signed with LOEN Entertainment on April 25, 2017. She then left LOEN and signed with Mystic Story, which she also left in 2020 and signed with Highline Entertainment. She left the company in 2021.
 * An Ye-seul (32nd) left MAJESTY and is now an independent artist.
 * Kim Si-hyeon (40th) signed with Yuehua Entertainment in April 2016.
 * Kim Tae-ha (50th) left Starship Entertainment and signed with MLD Entertainment. She terminated her contract with MLD Entertainment on November 30, 2019.
 * Yu Su-a (53rd) left MJ Entertainment and signed with Krazy Entertainment.
 * Kim Da-jeong (62nd) left Hello Music Entertainment and signed with Luk Factory.
 * Choi Eun-bin (70th) was subject to a legal battle when she received illegal funds from GM Music while under contract Nextar Entertainment. She later left Nextar Entertainment and signed with Enterarts.
 * Park Min-ji (71st) left Magic Fresh Company and signed with MND17. She later left MND17 as well and signed with Vine Entertainment.
 * Kim Woo-jung (74th) left Happy Face Entertainment and signed with 2% Entertainment. She has since left the company.
 * Lee Seo-jeong (85th) left LOUDers Entertainment and signed with Fantagio.
 * Kim Ja-yeon (86th) left Happy Face Entertainment and signed with Trivus Entertainment.
 * Lee Chae-lin (87th) left Midas Entertainment and signed with FENT.
 * Some contestants debuted as actors:
 * Kim So-hee (15th) was supposed to appear in the K-drama adaptation of the hit Japanese anime The Idolmaster, titled The Idolmaster KR, but later backed out.
 * Lee Hae-in (17th) acted in a supporting role in Something About 1%, the 2016 remake of Something About 1%.
 * Kim Ji-sung (68th) debuted as an actress under N Company.
 * Lee Seo-jeong (85th) appeared in the music video to Astro's "Confession".
 * Some contestants released singles:
 * Yoon Chae-kyung (16th) released a digital single titled "Clock" with April's Chae-won in May 2016.
 * Jung Eun-woo (21st), Park Si-yeon (25th), Kang Yae-bin (29th), Kim Min-kyeung (42nd), and Gang Gyeong-won (48th) released the digital single "We" as Pledis Girlz under Pledis Entertainment on June 28, 2016.
 * Hwang In-sun (27th), Yoon Seo-hyeung (37th), Park Hae-young (38th), Hwang A-young (56th), Ham Ye-ji (72nd), Kim Mi-so (73rd), Heo Sa-em (75th), and Pyun Kang-yoon (78th) released the single "Don't give up" on September 28, 2016.
 * Some contestants participated in other reality competition shows:
 * Lee Su-hyun (13th), Kim So-hee (15th), Yoon Chae-kyung (16th), and Lee Hae-in (17th) appeared on The God of Music 2.
 * Lee Hae-in (17th) participated in the Mnet reality competition show Idol School and finished 11th.
 * Jeon So-yeon (20th) participated in the Mnet reality rap competition show Unpretty Rapstar 3.
 * Ng Sze Kai (23rd), Huh Chan-mi (26th), Park Hae-young (38th), Lim Jeong-min (57th), Kang Si-hyeon (61st), Kim Si-hyeon (69th), and Kim Yun-ji (84th) joined the JTBC and YG Entertainment reality competition show Mix Nine.
 * Lee Soo-min (31st) participated in the sixth and final season of K-pop Star. She also appeared on the JTBC and YG Entertainment reality competition show Mix Nine, where she finished 2nd.
 * Kim Si-hyeon (40th) and Park Min-ji (71st) participated in Produce 48.
 * Lim Hyo-sun (99th) participated in The Unit.
 * Jung Haerim (47th) participated in Queendom Puzzle.
 * Some contestants decided to pursue other careers:
 * Ahn Yu-mi (63rd) debuted as a model under Blessing Entertainment. After leaving the company, she kept pursuing her modeling and acting career and became a pilates teacher.
 * Some contestants left the entertainment industry:
 * Lee Soo-min (31st) left the entertainment industry after failing to debut under several companies and is pursuing a university degree instead.

Vote manipulation investigation
In July 2019, during the final episode of the Produce 101 series' fourth season, Produce X 101, several viewers suspected that the total votes were manipulated after noticing numerical patterns. On August 1, 2019, 272 viewers filed a lawsuit against Mnet, as their on-site text voting service charged ₩100 per vote. On November 18, 2020, the court revealed that the show was manipulated within trainees in the 1st round of voting for Kim Suh-yeon and Seo Hye-Lin, who passed the 1st Elimination. Mnet had changed their ranks to eliminate them. It is not known what their true rank was supposed to be when they were eliminated.