BTS has rapidly become one of the biggest bands in the world, and now the seven-piece’s record label is on the hunt for the next K-pop superstars.
Big Hit Entertainment is launching its own talent show, I-Land, searching for male stars who could emulate BTS's success.
According to reports, the show has been in the works for years, and auditions have been held from South Korea and Japan to the United States.
I-Land is targeting those born between 1997 and 2008, and will be hosted by actor, director and screenwriter Min Nam-Goong, while K-pop star Rain and rapper Zico will be among the show's mentors.
The show’s successful contestants will be chosen to make up a K-pop boy band.
Made in collaboration with media company CJ E&M, the show is set to premiere on Korean television on June 26. I-Land is reported to have signed for three series, with a budget of 20 billion won (Dh59.5 million).
No details of the show's hopefuls have been released, but the auditions are said to cover skills from singing and dancing to rapping and modelling, so expect a diverse mix of talent.
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
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WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
