REVIEW | BUILDING THE BAND S1

Okay. Generally, this is a sports blog. But I also dive into music and entertainment, which is why I write about Korean variety shows from time to time. And that’s exactly why I’m talking about Building the Band. It’s a solid concept that, without the usual condo drama, still manages to bring something edgy and fresh.

My favorite music competition of all time is Rockstar: INXS. That show had great stage performances along with juicy off-stage drama. I’m also a fan of American Idol, although mostly from Seasons 2 to 4. What I didn’t like about Idol was how the fan base often dictated the winners. It always felt like the Republican states overwhelmed the Democrat states in terms of voting numbers. Honestly, Adam Lambert and Katharine McPhee should’ve won their seasons.

Especially Adam Lambert.

The Voice had a good format for picking contestants early on, but their finals never quite hit the mark. The fans seemed to connect more with the rotating chairs than with the actual winners.

Now back to Building the Band. Its format reminds me of the Korean variety show The Influencer, but here, contestants are judged not only on vocal prowess but also on team chemistry. I thought the finals were a bit controversial, but I also understood how the outcome made sense.

From the very beginning, it was clear that the main contenders were Iconix (formerly Soulidified), 3QUENCY, and SZN4. You had a boy band, a girl group, and a mixed unconventional band, respectively.

I’m a fan of SZN4, but heading into the finals, 3QUENCY had an equal, if not stronger overall showing. Iconix may have outworked Midnight 'Til Morning in the boy band category, but their song choices were too safe. They didn’t challenge the other two standout groups enough.

3QUENCY may not be as sexy or edgy as Sweet Seduction or Siren Society, but they were tighter as a group. SZN4 had four powerhouse vocalists, but maybe that’s exactly why they ended up in second place. What impressed me about 3QUENCY was their triple threat appeal—they could sing, dance, and act. Their performances proved it. Their work ethic was top-tier too.

While I rooted for SZN4, I get how unconventional bands struggle to break out without the support of a reality show format. The last successful unconventional group that comes to mind is The Black Eyed Peas. Maybe ABBA. Or S Club 7? Aqua, even? I hope I’m wrong, because SZN4 really impressed me, especially with their take on the Gotye song and Human.

I also suspect the producers had a say in the final decision, and honestly, that’s fair. 3QUENCY seemed more cohesive and more capable of adapting to different genres. With K-pop’s global influence, a tight, well-synced group naturally has an edge. Let’s face it—when was the last time an all-girl group topped the charts?

The judging panel said a lot about what the show considers bankable. You had references to The Pussycat Dolls, One Direction, Destiny's Child, and The Backstreet Boys. That tells you the kind of commercial appeal the show is aiming for.

The host and the judging panel brought a fresher take to the show. Right from the start, they seemed genuinely committed to helping the contestants become better performers. I’m not a fan of overly ad-libbed performances, but I do love well-produced covers, and this show managed to strike a good balance. At first, I thought Nicole was heading into Paula Abdul territory, but she actually stepped up as a solid mentor. What surprised me was how Kelly Rowland came off as the more impenetrable figure on the panel. She carried herself with authority, and her feedback had weight. Liam Payne was also a great addition. He didn’t come off as snobby, and you could really feel that he enjoyed guiding the contestants. He even dropped by the boy band rehearsals, which showed his investment. I wasn’t much of a One Direction fan since they hit their peak when I was already in my twenties, but after seeing Liam here, it sucks to know he won’t be around for Season 2.

I didn’t love 3QUENCY’s final song, Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey. Their earlier performance of Have Mercy during eliminations had more impact. Maybe the finale song choice was meant to show range. Still, I’m curious to see how the show supports the winners from here on. One of the big issues with later American Idol seasons and most of The Voice is that they don’t know how to develop their winners post-show.

I hope Building the Band takes a page from Making the Band and gives 3QUENCY the same kind of boost O-Town got. For me, 12 episodes would’ve made for a more satisfying run. I know Netflix usually orders 10, but starting with six groups makes things feel a little too predictable.

The concept of the show is refreshingly different. Letting the contestants choose their own members to build instant chemistry was a smart move, and it showed. The top three bands all came from the first three groups that formed. It felt more like a case of people who knew what they were doing, rather than groups being thrown together out of desperation just to make it past the auditions.

In fact, the biggest challenge for many contestants turned out to be the way they chose their teammates. Take Sweet Seduction, for example. That group struggled with internal balance. Alison is more of a soloist, and while Elise had potential, she would have thrived in a band like SZN4. She could have served as the frontwoman, with her bankable presence and operatic range—something that rivals Katie’s. Either Alison or Haley could have been better used in Siren Society, which ended up feeling like a generic girl group formed in a rush. With one of them as a leader, that group might have had more direction.

Midnight 'Til Morning is another example of a team that lacked familiarity with each other's work ethic. It’s a shame, because in terms of song choices, they were stronger than Iconix. But chemistry matters, and this is where the first three bands had a real edge.

SZN4 dealt with the usual hurdles that come with being an unconventional, mixed-gender group. But instead of letting that hold them back, they built on it and made it their strength. 3QUENCY took a more strategic approach and modeled themselves after Destiny's Child. That decision paid off, especially compared to Siren Society, who tried to replicate The Pussycat Dolls. The problem there is that PCD relied heavily on a single star, and while Beyoncé was clearly the face of Destiny’s Child, the other members were given space to shine—which is why we still remember their names.

The romantic angles may have been a bit cringy, but I liked seeing how the different singing styles clashed or clicked. It made the dynamics more interesting. I bet Season 2 will focus even more on how contestants balance vision and group chemistry—both musically and personally. That’s also why SZN4 stood out for me. They figured out early on how to divide their parts without stepping on each other’s styles. That kind of awareness is rare, and it gave them a clear edge.

In the end, the winner surprised me. But it wasn’t like 3QUENCY didn’t deserve it. They really evolved as the show went on, and you could see the work they put in.