SBS MTV’s ‘The Show’: New Idol Launchpad or Fan Battle Arena?
Every Tuesday, SBS MTV and SBS FiL air ‘The Show’, a music program dedicated primarily to the latest in K-POP. Since its debut in 2011, it has become a weekly fixture for fans of idol music. But more than just another music show, ‘The Show’ plays a dual role: it introduces rookie idol groups to the world and serves as a fierce arena for fan-driven competition.
As of 2025, the show is hosted by Xiaojun (WayV), Hyeongjun (CRAVITY), and Jung Sae-bi (izna). Elevated by its global live-stream system across more than 20 countries, ‘The Show’ has positioned itself as a vital channel in the globalization of K-POP.
The Case For: Opportunity for Rookies & Global Fan Impact
‘The Show’ gives rookie idol groups an early shot at stardom. One notable example is a group named Close Your Eyes, which topped the rankings just six days after their debut—a feat that sparked motivation across many aspiring artists.
Its globally accessible live voting system allows international fans to directly participate in deciding weekly winners. In a music industry that thrives on cross-border fan communities, the show acts as a powerful bridge between idols and their global supporters.
For many rookie groups, performing on ‘The Show’ offers validation. Even if they haven’t dominated music charts or sold thousands of albums, they can still claim a victory—thanks to their fans’ digital support.
The Case Against: Score System Barriers & Idol-Centric Bias
Not everyone is convinced that ‘The Show’ is fair or inclusive. Critics argue that its scoring system leans too heavily on fan voting—often overshadowing more objective metrics like digital performance or physical album sales. This fan-heavy weighting can give established fandoms undue influence, making it harder for new talents to break through unless they already have massive online support.
Additionally, there’s a significant genre bias. ‘The Show’ heavily prioritizes idol-pop performances, often leaving non-idol or indie musicians out of the spotlight. This has led to concerns about the growing narrowness of Korea’s televised music offerings—and the potential stifling of musical diversity.
Some also question the sustainability of the show’s model. With the industry oversaturated with similar idol groups and competitive voting shows, is there room left for genuine musical discovery?
Voting Wars & Fandom Fatigue
One side effect of the show’s voting-centric platform is the increasing pressure placed on fans. Weekly battles can lead to overly intense voting campaigns, especially on social media, often causing burnout or internal conflict within fandoms.
This fan fatigue raises deeper questions about what it means to "support" an artist. Is it about enjoying music, or clicking votes 100 times a day? By prioritizing quantity over quality of engagement, ‘The Show’ might be twisting fandom culture into something unsustainable.
Suggested Improvements
‘The Show’ undoubtably gives newcomers a valuable stage and helps K-POP's reach grow globally. But for the model to thrive long-term, two key areas require attention: fairer scoring and programming diversity.
Adding more weight to music chart metrics (like digital streams, sales, and YouTube views) would build credibility. Also, giving airtime to non-idol artists—perhaps with dedicated segments—could encourage more musical diversity and attract broader audiences.
With adjustments to better reflect industry realities and fan well-being, ‘The Show’ could evolve from a simple vote-driven contest into a richer, more inclusive celebration of Korean music culture.
