[PREVIEW] Reality show "Project Runway Korea 2"

Welcome to the second runway

Viewers applaud progressive TV programs but turn their backs on stale shows. The first season of "Project Runway Korea", which made a refreshing attempt by purchasing the original format from the U.S. TV show and adding a Korean flavor to it, topped cable TV ratings during its run. Now the show's second season is set to premiere January 30 at midnight. While host Lee So-ra, judges Kim Seok-won and Shin Yoo-jin and design mentor Kan Ho-sup will remain in the show, new designs will be offered by the 15 new contestants, who were selected through a preliminary screening.

Like the previous cycle, the contestants of "Project Runway Korea 2" are mostly composed of people who have studied overseas. Many graduates from prestigious fashion schools from around the world -- including Central Saint Martins in the U.K., Parsons Design School in the U.S., Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Belgium, Istituto Marangoni in Italy and Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la couture Parisienne in Paris -- were selected for the second season. The contestants have diverse backgrounds -- some of them have worked at famous fashion houses while others have majored in archaeology, music composition and French literature. "With the success of the first season, there were a lot of 'prepared' contestants for this season -- some of them even studied for the show," said the show's host Lee So-ra at the press conference held Monday. "I took part in the selection process starting with the preliminary screening phase and I can guarantee you that the contestants are very talented because skill accounted for 90 percent of the evaluation criteria." She also offered another reason, besides the competition, that viewers should tune in. "They [contestants] know how to style themselves. You will be entertained just by watching their own fashion styles in the show."

"Project Runway Korea 2", which had been recruiting participants since last August, went into shoot starting November and has currently completed about 90 percent of the production. The show's format remains the same -- after 10 design challenges, three finalists will unveil their collection at the Seoul Fashion Week in the spring where the final winner will be chosen. The winner will receive KRW 70 million won in prize money, a compact car and be featured in a photo spread in a noted fashion magazine. Who will take the glorious title of being the most progressive fashion designer? Will the show receive the viewers' applause calling for another season? The results will be confirmed during the new season and its "true reality" happenings.

Reporter : Yoon Hee-Seong nine@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr