JYP Entertainment’s “Stray Kids” project, which will debut its newest boyband, will be first aired next month, the agency said Thursday.

“The survival program project that JPY will conduct with Mnet will first air at 11 p.m. on Oct.17, and has been named ‘Stray Kids’,” JYP said in a press release.

JYP said the name represents the identity of the show, which picks singers with unique talents that distinguish them from idol groups.

Logo for "Stray Kids" (JYP Entertainment)

The Mnet show is different from existing survival singing competition programs in that it pairs teams against each other, not individuals.

As all members of the winning team will be debuting as a team, the show will focus on teamwork as well as talent.

JYP has attempted to unearth hidden gems through a survival program format before, in form of program “Sixteen” aired two years ago.

The seven winners of the show -- with the addition of members Tzuyu and Momo -- debuted as girl group Twice in October of that year, and is among the most successful K-pop acts today.


By Yoon Min-sik (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)