Following the rise of survival shows in South Korea, China has hopped on the bandwagon and produced their own versions of idol survival shows. Many have spawned amazing groups, such as NINE PERCENT and Rocket Girls. While watching these shows, you may see some familiar faces you didn't expect! Here are 20 Chinese survival show contestants who used to be (or still are) K-pop idols! This list does not contain former K-pop trainees that did not debut in K-pop groups.

1. Liang Hui

More commonly known as Hui, Liang Hui was a contestant on iQIYI's 'Idol Producer' back in 2018. Before competing on the show, he debuted in the South Korean boy group 24K in 2015. He left the group in 2017. During his time in 'Idol Producer,' he received an initial evaluation grade of D but was re-evaluated to F. He left the show in episode 8. Though unconfirmed, it is rumored that he was removed from the show due to submitting fake votes.

2. Qin Fen

Qin Fen, also known as Roi, was a former member of the K-pop boy group, The LEGEND. The group disbanded in 2017 due to issues with their company, SS Entertainment. In 2018, he competed in the iQIYI survival show 'Idol Producer' as a trainee under OACA. During the first evaluations, he received a B but was re-evaluated to F. He finished at rank 18.

3. Deng Bin

Deng Bin competed on iQIYI's 'Youth With You,' which is also known as 'Idol Producer 2.' He finished at rank 43. Prior to competing on the show, he was a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy group Varsity. They debuted in 2017 but have since disbanded. During his time on 'Youth With You,' he received an initial evaluation grade of D and maintained that grade in the second evaluation.

4. Anthony/An Dongni

Anthony, like Deng Bin, was a former member of Varsity. He is American-Chinese and was known for speaking English fluently while still learning to speak Mandarin and Korean. During his time on the show, he received an initial evaluation grade of D and maintained that grade in the second evaluation. He finished at rank 46.

5. Li Wenhan

Li Wenhan is a member of UNIQ, a South Korean-Chinese boy group under Yuehua Entertainment. In 2019, he competed in 'Youth With You,' where he represented his current company. He received an initial evaluation grade of B and moved to A during the second evaluation. He finished in the first place and debuted as the center of the project group UNINE.

6. Casper

Casper, also known as Ka Shibo or Chu Xiaoxing, is a former member of Cross Gene. He debuted with the group in 2012 and left in 2019. He previously competed on the KBS survival show 'The Unit,' but was eliminated. After that, he competed on the Chinese singing show 'Sing Out' in 2018. In 2019, he competed on iQIYI's 'Youth With You.' However, he ended up withdrawing from the show. Though the reason was unspecified, it is speculated he was forced to withdraw after Casper approached the judges and inquired on why his team lost one of the rounds.

7. Manny

Manny, also known as Man Ni or Xiao Dongcheng, is a former member of Varsity. He debuted with the South Korean-Chinese group in 2017, but they have since disbanded. In 2019, he competed on 'Youth With You.' During his time on the show, he received an initial evaluation grade of D and was re-evaluated to B class. He finished the show at rank 58.

8. Qiu Bohan

Qiu Bohan is another former Varsity member that competed on 'Youth With You.' During his time on the show, he received an initial evaluation grade of D and was later re-evaluated to class A. He finished the show at rank 53.

9. Yao Mingming

Most K-pop fans know Mingming as a former Pledis Entertainment trainee and an almost-member of SEVENTEEN. In 2017, he debuted in BLK. He participated in the YG Entertainment survival show 'MIXNINE,' but did not make the debut line-up. BLK disbanded in 2018, and in 2019, Mingming competed on 'Youth With You.' During his time on the show, he received an initial evaluation grade of C and maintained that grade in the second evaluation. He finished the show at rank 3 and debuted as a member of the project group, UNINE.

10. Meng Meiqi

Meiqi debuted in 2016 as a member of WJSN, also known as Cosmic Girls. She is currently on a hiatus from the group. In 2018, she competed on 'Produce 101 China. During her time on the show, she received an initial evaluation grade of A and maintained that grade in the second evaluation. She finished the show at rank 1 and debuted as the center of Rocket Girls.

11. Wu Xuanyi

Like Meiqi, Xuanyi also debuted in 2016 as a member of WJSN. During her time on the show, she received an initial evaluation grade of B and moved up to A class in the second evaluation. She finished the show at rank 2 and debuted as a member of Rocket Girls. She is currently on a hiatus from WJSN.

12. Gao Jialiang

Gao Jialiang, also known as J.G., is a former member of Cross Gene. He debuted with the group in 2012 but left in 2013 due to family issues. He competed in the Chinese singing show 'Sing Out' in 2018. In 2019, he competed in the Chinese survival show 'Produce Camp 2019.' During his time on the show, he received an initial rank of A and maintained that grade. He finished the show at rank 14.

13. Liu Xiening

Liu Xiening, also known as Sally, is a former member of Gugudan. She debuted with the group in 2016 and was on hiatus from the group when they disbanded in 2020. In 2020, she competed on 'Produce Camp 2020.' During her time on the show, she received an initial rank of A but was re-evaluated to C in the second evaluation. She finished the show in rank 6 and debuted with BonBon Girls 303.

14. Xu Xiaohan

Xu Xiaohan, also known as Wang Hami, is a former member of the K-pop group D.Holic. The group debuted in 2014 and disbanded in 2017. In 2020, she competed on 'Produce Camp 2020.' During her time on the show, she received an initial rank of F but was moved up to Class B in the second evaluations. She finished the show in rank 16.

15. Lana

Lana debuted in 2019 and is known as K-pop's first solo Russian idol. In 2020, she competed in the Chinese survival show 'Produce Camp 2020.' During her time on the show, she received an initial rank of C and moved up to B class in the second evaluation. She finished the show at rank 22. That same year, Lana competed in the Chinese reality survival show 'Bravo Youngsters!'

16. J-Jin

J-Jin, also known as Zhan Zhan, is a member of the K-pop group Limitless. He debuted with the group in 2019. While their company, ONO Entertainment, has shut down, the group has not disbanded. In 2021, he competed on 'Youth With You 3.' He received an initial evaluation grade of C and maintained that grade in the second evaluation. He finished the show in rank 109. 

17. Handong

Handong is a member of Dreamcatcher. She debuted with the group in 2017 and is currently promoting with them. In 2020, she took a brief hiatus from the group to compete in 'Youth With You 2.' During her time on the show, she received an initial evaluation of C. She was then moved to F class in the second evaluation, then D class in the third evaluation. She finished the show in rank 56.

18. Wang Mengyu

Wang Mengyu, also known as Aurora, is a member of NATURE. She debuted with the group in 2018 and in 2020, took a brief hiatus from the group to participate in 'Youth With You 2.' During her time on the show, she received an initial evaluation of B. She was then moved to F class in the second evaluation, then D class in the third evaluation. She finished the show in rank 109.

19. Lin Fan

Lin Fan, also known as Marco Lin, is a member of the Chinese-South Korean girl group FANXYRED. The group originally debuted in China as ACRUSH in 2017. They re-debuted in South Korea in 2019 with a new group name. In 2020, she competed in 'Youth With You 2.' During Lin Fan's time on the show, she received an initial evaluation of C. She was then moved to A class in the second evaluation, then C class in the third evaluation. She finished the show in rank 21.

20. Lu Keran

Lu Keran, also known as K, is another member of FANXYRED that competed on 'Youth With You 2.' During her time on the show, she received an initial evaluation of B. She was then moved to C class in the second evaluation and maintained that grade in the third evaluation. She finished the show in rank 9 and debuted with the project group THE9.

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