‘K-pop Star’ shakes up show

The fourth season of the popular TV audition show “K-pop Star” plans to change its judging system.

Starting from the first season, the heads of SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment have judged all the participants. But starting Sunday, musicians from the agencies will also join the panel.

Alumni of the first and second seasons, including Park Ji-min, Lee Hi, Akdong Musician - all belonging to either JYP or YG - and other JYP signers such as Sunmi and Yeeun, will cast their votes, too.

Of the many TV audition shows, “K-pop Star” differentiates itself by featuring the heads of the nation’s three major entertainment agencies. Participants who perform in front of these moguls are given the chance to debut at one of the agencies and winners receive 300 million won ($269,400) in prize money.

Many of the show’s participants who made it to the top 10 also received contracts from JYP and YG.

One is Lee Hi, a runner-up from the first season who signed with YG, the home of musicians Psy, Big Bang and 2NE1.

Lee debuted as a professional singer in 2012 and recently formed a duo with Lee Su-hyun of Akdong Musician, the winner of the third season of “K-pop Star.” Together, they released the digital single “I’m Different,” which Billboard.com recently raved about.