About this season
Idol Producer (偶像练习生) is a Chinese reality boy group survival show produced by iQiyi. Idol Producer brings together 100 trainees from 31 different entertainment companies and talent agencies, both within and beyond China, including individual trainees who aren't associated with any agencies. Out of the 100 trainees, 9 of them will be chosen to debut through viewer voting.
Episodes (12)
1. Episode 1
Aired 19 January 2018 • 77 min
Contestants grade themselves from A to F prior to entering the studio. They seat themselves amongst a pyramid of chairs. The mentors are introduced and begin to judge the contestants' first performance. The trainees are reassigned new grade levels from A to F.
2. Episode 2
Aired 26 January 2018 • 94 min
The rankings for the first round of voting are revealed while agency evaluations continue. The show's theme song "Ei Ei" is revealed and trainees must prepare to film an individual performance in 3 days. The mentors reassign grades once again based on the trainees' performance video.
3. Episode 3
Aired 2 February 2018 • 154 min
The trainees practice for the theme song "Ei Ei" and the Center position is chosen from the group of A grade trainees. Following the recording for "Ei Ei", the second mission, Team Battle evaluation, is revealed. The trainees are to be put into 16 teams to perform 8 songs.
4. Episode 4
Aired 9 February 2018 • 199 min
The remaining Team Battle performances are shown. It is revealed that the trainees ranked 61 to 96 next week will be eliminated.
5. Episode 5
Aired 16 February 2018 • 154 min
The first elimination takes place with only the Top 60 contestants to remain. Polls are held amongst the trainees for "Best Visual" and "The Person I Would Most Want to Introduce to My Little Sister". The trainees play a game to obtain Chinese New Year presents for their fans. The mentors also hold a dance battle, where the trainees dance to "Ei Ei" at various speeds, to help the trainees relax. The winner of the dance battle requests for a group Hot Pot outing as his wish, to which the director agrees.
6. Episode 6
Aired 23 February 2018 • 132 min
The third mission, Position Evaluations, begins. There are 5 songs for the vocal category, 4 songs for the dance category, and 4 songs for the rap category. The trainees with higher rankings pick their songs first, and once the chosen song reaches its member limit, the later trainees can no longer pick that song.
7. Episode 7
Aired 2 March 2018 • 164 min
Position Evaluation performances continue. The trainee with the most votes in each of the categories (vocal, dance, rap) are revealed.
8. Episode 8
Aired 9 March 2018 • 165 min
The fourth mission, Concept Evaluation, is revealed. Trainees are presented with 5 new original songs of varying genres. They are placed into groups of 12 via fan votes. Temporary Center positions are picked as only 7 trainees may perform each song following eliminations. The second elimination takes place with only the Top 35 contestants to remain.
9. Episode 9
Aired 16 March 2018 • 138 min
Teams are reorganized following eliminations and Concept Evaluation performances commence. Live audience voting results are announced following all performances.
10. Episode 10
Aired 23 March 2018 • 118 min
11. Episode 11
Aired 30 March 2018 • 171 min
12. Episode 12
Aired 6 April 2018 • 186 min