The audition programs are popular as ever. Mnet's "Super Star K4" drew 2,080,000 contestants and SBS's "K-Pop Star" is poised to draw just as many if not more contestants than its previous season. MBC's "Star Audition" has been stalling but seems to keep going. 

The reasons why the audition programs are drawing more and more talented contestants is thanks to who came before them. Even while the newer idol groups face failures, previous audition winners like Seo In Guk, Busker Busker, Ulala Session, Baek Ah Yeon and Park Ji Min are all doing very well in the industry. 

However, the three programs are not equal in their quality. If you don't want to regret your choice of which audition program you want to parciipate in, you have to really take a look at how their alums are doing. 

▶ 'Super Star K' The Original Advantage

Super Star K is continuing its incredible success even into its fourth season. All three winners from the previous seasons have been successful, with Seo In Guk's recent stardom adding to its ranks. He is joined by Huh Gak, John Park, Jang Jae In, Kim Ji Su and many others who are also in the industry just from season 2. Season 3 was defined by Busker Busker despite the fact that the winner was Ulala Session, who is also doing well. Many say that if you want to become a singer, you have to try out for 'Super Star K.'

It's gotten incredibly old to say that cable programs are at a disadvantage. The viewer ratings are almost on par with the syndicated channels and there seem to be less difficulty in transitioning from one to the other. One management executive who signed with a Super Star K alum said, "Since the syndicated channels themselves launched the audition programs, there's less of a wall between the two worlds. It's more free to go back and forth now. However, the fact that Mnet "holds" the Top 10 contestants seems to be hindering their quick debuts. With the exception of Busker Busker and Ulala Session, who were produced and distributed by CJ, the rest were not quick to sign with management companies.

▶'K-Pop Star' The Power of the 3

The big 3 SM-JYP-YG really show their power on "K-Pop Star." If you get to be in the Top 10, you can definitely sign with one of those three management companies and be on the fast track to debuting. After Season 1, the winner Park Ji Min and two others Baek Ah Yeon and Park Je Hyung went to JYP. YG took Lee Ha Yi, Michelle Lee, Lee Seung Hoon, Lee Jung Mi and Lee Seung Joo. With the exception of the winner, the management companies are not required to sign any others but it was clear that there were many contestants that they wanted to take.

JYP Park Ji Min formed a duet with Baek Ye Rin called 15& and released a debut album. Baek Ah Yeon, who came in 3rd place, debuted with "Slow Song" which reached #1 on many music charts. YG Lee Ha Yi collaborated with Epik High and is also preparing for her debut. 

"K-Pop Star" PD Park Sung Hoon said, "It's incredibly different how these three management companies pick and train. SM has a very clear set of standards and rules, whereas JYP is definitely able to work on the potential problems that someone may have and YG really emphasizes the individual's strengths and uniqueness."

▶ 'Star Audition' Decrease in Contestants, Program in Danger?

MBC "Star Audition 3" is set to begin its new season on Thursday but it is showing signs of decline. This season, the production couldn't even reveal how many people were applying to be on the show and it's speculated that their numbers have drastically declined. Because of how few contestants there are, some say that they recruited people from the preliminary rounds of "Super Star K."

Because last season's winners have not really found their place yet, the perogram is suffering. First season winner Baek Chung Gang recently had to undergo surgery for cancer and hasn't really been able to do anything. Season 2 winner Goo Ja Myung debuted as an actor 7 months after winning the competition. It's clear that "Star Audition" has not given birth to any big name stars and it's said that it's very unlikely that the winners will sign with any big management companies.

Seo Chang Man PD said, "We decreased it to 20 episodes rather than 30. We're trying to catch the viewers' attention with speedy advancing. We're going to try and make sure that the winners are able to sign with management companies and get record deals."