So I-LAND being a reality television contest show obviously means I won't be rating it like other shows. It was broken up into segments which I appreciated because the original basis of the ILAND vs Grounders thing got really old really quick. The show really picks up once were down to like 12 I think? Because then that's where we see the most personalities shine through in the selected contestants. I'm going to have to go back and watch again, but it felt like the producers already knew who they wanted to debut based on screen time. Those who made it down to the wire I think had wayyyy more screen time then others who didn't make it far. Which both makes sense, but also feels suspicious since a lot of this was supposed to be "global fan votes".

Either way, we get to see some amazing rising talent and seeing literally a new kpop group being formed from scratch was pretty cool. Though having to see all the tears along the way was kinda heartbreaking, most of these guys are still kids and I can imagine how hard it must be to dedicate months to a contest you might not win and be away from loved ones for so long. Without any contact whatsoever to the outside world! Sure it can chalked up to determination, but that's a long time and I felt for them. This show is genius in that most debut groups we know nothing about as fans until they actually debut. This show gives us the opportunity to fall in love with these potential members right off the bat without any music even officially being out! Great marketing strategy, great way for them to grow as artists and people as well. Seriously K especially grew ALOT positively as well as Heeseung in leadership qualities. I will say I do have some favorites along the way. The list is; Sunghoon, Sunoo, Heeseung, Jay, Nikki, K and Geonu were my favorites from the start and guess what? All of them made it to the finalists lol. Not all of them got to debut (sadness) but most of them did! So I'm pretty happy and wish them nothing but success.