I-LAND 2 EP 1 - DISCUSSION
Added 2025-03-15 13:00:05 +0000 UTC
Comments
I'm also like you PD, watching the show after seeing their debut (actually after their latest comeback "Sign" lol). This actually helped me to see things way more objectively and can understand a little bit deeper into the intention of the producers as well as the labels involved (The Black Label and Wake One). You did mention the skill gap between the girls and I think that's also intentional. It made it much easier and less controversial when they narrowed down to the final 12 for the 2nd part. I would recommend you taking a look at the analysis videos of "GodChi Studio", a so-called Kpop communicator working within the industry where he points out the business side and vision of Wake One and its mother company CJEnt regarding the show. This affects the whole flow of the show and the final line-up decisions.
Tien
2025-05-08 20:37:46 +0000 UTCIt's so interesting rewatching this as a Sarang bias in izna. She definitely caught my attention from this episode but it wasn't until just before Part 2 that she made it into my picks and it was halfway through Part 2 that she became my one pick (Sujung was originally my one pick). Definitely agree that there's a clear gap between those in iland now (plus Yuju) and the rest of the group and I think most combinations of those trainees would have made a strong group but I'm really happy with the final members of izna and wouldn't switch any of them out (we'll get into the reasons as we move through the show)
Wono
2025-03-18 13:16:37 +0000 UTCI love Yuju (thus far in how much I’ve filmed but I haven’t seen a ton of Koko yet)
Jet
2025-03-17 17:34:30 +0000 UTCI’m also very curious going forward of your evaluation of fuko and yuju
canhui00
2025-03-16 15:58:49 +0000 UTCre-subscribed for this series! looking forward to watching along. I had a lot of thoughts and feelings abt this show and the development of the girls as it progressed (mostly positive!). definitely my favorite post-survival show lineup. interested to see who develops as ur favs throughout.
canhui00
2025-03-16 15:41:19 +0000 UTCSo excited to watch this with you again. I saw it live and I have watched it again since then. During the live of this show, people fell in love with Koko, and I know that you will too. The ones people seemed most surprised about making the debut group were Mai and Ryu Sarang. I think you will see that as you watch more episodes. The other members were loved and acknowledged pretty much throughout, despite the drama and evil editing. This is going to be fun!
Beth LaRue
2025-03-16 13:53:06 +0000 UTCI don’t know about other people as I see some (not majority) of viewers not satisfied with a final line-up but for me I’m very satisfied with 6/7 (5/6 before the final surprise addition) of my ideal members making it into the final line-up. (The one didn’t make it was my top 3 though and she finished 8th!!! Sob sob). So I won’t be complaining about the show too much except multiple obvious editing that Mnet used to bring up/pull down contestants in the show for obvious reasons). Anyway, most Nayas (Izna fans) that I have seen in multiple platforms are pretty okay with the line-up and there was no major backlash on any contestants in particular (there are some members who got a bit of a heat from fans of members that failed to debut but it’s not something that’s big like in GP999, RUNext or even IZ*ONE). So time skipped to the present, and I would say Nayas as a whole are pretty united in general to all members.
RoNNieTP
2025-03-16 09:45:12 +0000 UTCDamn… you comparing I-Lands made me really curious about I-Land 1… I definitely agree dystopian survival show for a girl group would be truly cool. Even if we consider The Black Label/the BLACKPINK nature added to that! Based on the pre-show performances Sujung, Sarang and Jiyoon were the ones I paid attention the most right from the start. After this episode Koko, Yuju and Yui joined the line up of mine. Then I obviously appreciated Mai, JungEun, Fuko and also Juwon + now looking at it again I say Saebi as well. But I get really picky, when it comes to forming a group, so they did not immediately join the line up of mine. Regarding you liking Sujung… Man… she was my number one the whole time and she was pretty much the reason I decided to come back to this show with you here… After a few episodes my dream team was Sujung, Yui, Yuju, Jiyoon, JungEung as the top 5. I am not sure when they mentioned the number of the final line up (there were many rumours), but the 6th and 7th place were open for two of these: Fuko/Koko/Mai (actually Koko made it into the top 5 for me many times, so she was a sure pick for me regardless the number and if Mai did not fully get me later on, it would have been easy to form the 7 members line up with the 6 ones and Fuko). And because of the last ones not being clear for me, it happened that I questioned myself, whether some of them should not replace someone in my top 5. But never Sujung, she was sure pick for me, I wanted her to debut so much! I guess the best comparison of me liking her would be to me liking Lee Yedam. Well… with Yedam it is even stronger, but I cannot come up with a better example, which you would be able to understand/know the person. Probably Ryu of Lastart 😅😅, but that is still in the future. Anyway… because I keep myself updated of what she is up to, I have to tell you she decided to come back to the dancing scene rather than focusing on being an idol. (I was secretly hoping for “the One Pact” of this show being formed of Sujung, Yuju, Yui, Fuko and Juwon, but that is not hapenning…). Hmm… I am not sure if I have much to say to each of these performances here. I obviously either agree with the ones that were really good (both individuals and whole performance) or based on those contestants I pointed out, you can say who I liked). I just say I like the Baggy Jeans performance A LOT! The Drama performance is probably the most liked and I cannot say anything to that, but the Baggy Jeans one is equally good for me. Regarding your question of who and if any member of the debut line up ends up in Ground. I will not spoil anything, but from all 24 contestants only 4 of them were never sent to Ground. You mentioning focusing on personalities of Jiyoon & JungEun… that is funny a bit. Well… I decided to watch this again despite me not liking many things with the show, so I do not want to be that dude, who just complains and does not let others to have fun, but I will tell you this… If that is the (main) reason you decided to watch this, then this show was made for you. At one moment it will borderline feel like a story driven show of them solving things between each other 😅😅
WiseSmellyLegs
2025-03-16 05:44:27 +0000 UTCI dunno.....I think MNET shows are OK when it's the first time for a particular concept. The original Queendom, the original I Land (the first I Land was still an MNET show), the original Produce. It's just when they decide to extend multiple versions of the same concept and costs start to skyrocket but they're still copying and pasting that it gets that "corporate sheen" as well as when they start totally ramping up the MNET evil editing
Edward Lee
2025-03-16 04:26:43 +0000 UTCI’m so glad you’re reacting to this show. I’m strapped in and ready to rewatch with you!! I’m liking all your opinions so far and they def align with how I felt when I first watched the show without knowing the debut lineup. Looking forward to episode 2!!
Jesse
2025-03-16 04:13:44 +0000 UTCOh PD.. I don't think I'm misspeaking for most of us when I say, we don't want you to watch MNet shows FOR MNET 😂 It's always for the idols, of course. That's why we keep trying to suggest new and different programs to counter that but the unfortunate thing is, MNet will always be in the cultural zeitgeist and their groups are always the buzziest, flashiest, most talked about ones.
Aine
2025-03-16 00:41:48 +0000 UTCIn the reaction video you mentioned it not being a HYBE show… I explained that in the “Final Count Down & bonus performances video”, but I watched that too late, so I will copy the explanation here: Your question about the rights of HYBE to I-Land... I-Land was created to debut ENHYPEN under Belift Lab, which was originally created as a joint venture between HYBE HQ and CJ ENM/Mnet. So when there was announced a girl group under Belift Lab would debut through I-Land 2, it was meant to be Illit. BUT! HYBE bought shares of CJ ENM to own Belift Lab 100% to have ENHYPEN fully under them. But they did not keep I-Land 2 as the brand, which stayed to CJ ENM/Mnet. So then when Mnet announced I-Land 2 was happening, it was confusing, because people thought at first it would be a sister group to ENHYPEN, but that was not the case. Mnet (or their Kpop label Wake One) just decided to have their pernament girl group. And Belift Lab announced their own survival show R U Next? to create Illit. The thing you said of them looking for the next BLACKPINK... well, that is pretty much the reason why they teamed up with Teddy/The Black Label. To get BLACKPINK fans interested and to label it: "Teddy worked on this". That was also a big thing that confused many people even until now it still does... people thought this group would be under both The Black Label and Wake One, but that is not that case. They just agreed Teddy/The Black Label producers will work on their music until their (izna) contract renewal, so seven years.
WiseSmellyLegs
2025-03-16 00:24:07 +0000 UTCI must go listen to sweet venom now
jessie
2025-03-16 00:02:19 +0000 UTCThank you for still taking the reaction seriously despite knowing the results, I really respect you for your approach to everything you do💪 so glad you’re getting to see their talents especially saebi hehe. Yui was my one pick so this will be bittersweet but she has much to show you!
jessie
2025-03-16 00:01:16 +0000 UTCSunoo and Ni-ki are the members who passed the most time in ground in Iland1! (Imo It was very undeserved most times Sunoo went). Jay and Jake also went once and the other 3 members never went.
Strawberry_177
2025-03-15 20:09:40 +0000 UTCYup! Niki was in the Ground, that was one of the dramatic moments in the show. Jake, Jay and Sunoo also went to the Ground.
Luxia Scarlet
2025-03-15 19:45:25 +0000 UTCI'm glad you're seeing the main reason why we all wanted you to watch the show - the members are insanely talented but their debut only showed the tip of the iceberg. The performances will only get better and better so i think you'll enjoy it alot. I agree that the skill gap between the top trainees and weaker ones is very large but thats why theres a part 2 similar to iland s1. Won't spoil but it's gonna be very interesting that you'll be deciding who's your favorite between Jiyoon and Jungeun. Personally I'm a believer that the IZNA lineup is the best and most balanced lineup. I was pretty shocked at first, very similar to when K didn't make the Enhypen lineup but I think your opinion on Fuko is quite spot on in retrospect. Tbh tho, I think the main problem people have with the show isn't actually the final lineup, but the mnet editing that you'll come to see. The top contestants even besides the IZNA lineup are very talented and there are some really great performances which I think you'll enjoy alot!
Kim Chaewon
2025-03-15 16:15:18 +0000 UTCI also watched this after it aired but I didn't know any of the girls names or faces even though I watched their debut lol. Fell in love with Jiyoon honestly, she really does just have such an intense aura but she's pretty silly. Can't wait for next week!
Cerra101
2025-03-15 15:29:10 +0000 UTCI have to say, i’d be lying if i said i was happy w the final lineup. i’d also be lying if i said i didn’t like/enjoy izna & their music. as the show progresses, you can quite literally see who the producers want in the group. about sujung, she basically doesn’t want to be an idol anymore, she is just going to keep dancing. also saebi is basically a 5th gen wonyoung in terms of stage presence within their own songs, but i’m glad she can show her stage presence within different songs on iland, bc she can’t really show that variety within their own music. the thing about enhypen is that they don’t get forced to have rap parts, only sometimes niki will have some. they are purely a vocal group, which is already different than like EVERY boy group. also in the first iland, only heeseung jungwon & sunghoon never went to the ground. edit: i was the one who asked who you think would be first while watching their debut, you said jeemin 😂
Marii
2025-03-15 15:18:36 +0000 UTCI can't wait to watch the episode and discuss this with everyone but some preliminary thoughts: In the end, I'm glad these reactions didn't start until now, rather than live or soon off the finale. I was one of the ones saying this was one of the worst survival shows I've seen but that was an emotional reaction fresh from the pain of the finale. Time away from those heightened emotions and izna debuting has given me more clarity and perspective over how things went down. (I still think there were many stupid needlessly emotionally manipulative things the show did, but we'll get to that later lol)
Aine
2025-03-15 13:23:51 +0000 UTC
