ILAND

ILAND, stylized as I-LAND, is a South Korean reality survival television series that aired on Mnet in 2020. The program was produced by Belift Lab, a joint venture between CJ ENM and Hybe Corporation, and aimed to form a new boy group through a competition featuring trainees from multiple agencies. The series ran from June to September 2020.

The format followed trainees as they trained in singing, dancing, and performance, taking part in missions and performances broadcast during the season. Contestants were gradually eliminated based on judges’ assessments and audience votes, with the field narrowed until a final lineup was chosen.

The finale announced the seven members who would debut as ENHYPEN, the first boy group formed under Belift Lab. ENHYPEN subsequently released their debut extended play Border: Day One and promoted the lead track “Given-Taken” as part of their launch.

Reception and impact: The show drew substantial attention due to the collaboration between CJ ENM and Hybe and helped launch ENHYPEN as a global act, achieving chart presence in Korea and internationally and building a sizable international fanbase for the group.

The group’s name ENHYPEN stands for “Embrace the Difference.” ILAND is part of the broader landscape of reality-survival formats used to form K-pop groups during the 2010s and 2020s.