Super Junior’s Eunhyuk talked about why “Under 19” is special to him, how things have changed since his trainee days, and what he hopes to do on the show.

MBC’s “Under 19” is an upcoming survival program that aims to discover creative teens with hidden potential. With a total of 57 contestants, 19 teens were selected for each of the vocal, rap, and performance categories, through a highly competitive rate of 162 to 1. The final contestants will form a global idol group.

On October 30, “Under 19” held a press conference, with MC Kim So Hyun and celebrity mentors EXID’s Solji, Crush, Dynamic Duo, Hwang Sang Hoon, and Super Junior’s Eunhyuk in attendance.

Eunhyuk will be appearing on the show as a performance director, mentoring the contestants. He shared, “‘Under 19’ has a special meaning to me because I was 19 years old when I debuted. When I reminisced about my trainee days, it seemed like the advice that seniors or teachers by my side gave me was a huge source of strength. I will do my best to be of great help while thinking of those times. I want to do well so that this will be a time where I rediscover my roots as I watch the contestants.”

He then talked about how trainees these days have many more diverse ways to learn than when he was a trainee. He gave examples such as trainees these days learning through videos on YouTube, or could actually going places to learn themselves. He commented that he thought the environment had gotten a lot better, as they could pursue their dream even without an agency.

Eunhyuk remarked, “I was envious in those aspects. But there are so many people training to become idols and dreaming the same dream, it’s harder for them because the competition has gotten so much more fierce. There are many aspiring idols that are training, and I think it’s become an age where they not only have to have skills, but also show off their unique color and personality. I’m very curious to see how the aspiring idols on ‘Under 19’ will grow.”

He concluded by saying, “I hope that those who may be eliminated on ‘Under 19’ don’t give up and think that this is the end, but continue to take on new challenges since they are in their teens. [I want them to know that] even if they debut through this program, that isn’t the end, and even after making your debut there are a lot of mountains to climb. I want to help them so that they don’t lose their determination.”

“Under 19” will be headed by producing director Jung Chang Young, who previously produced “Birth of a Star 3” and “Show! Music Core,” as well as Kim Kwang Soo, the head of MBK Entertainment. The show will air every Saturday at 6:25 p.m. KST, with the first episode premiering on November 3 at 6 p.m. KST.

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