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'Road To Max' changes minds as Mnet gives chance to underrated K-pop groups

Fans of K-pop groups like Everglow, TO1, DKZ and Blackswan who have not yet won on 'M Countdown' can compete in the new Mnet survival show

‘Road To Max’ is Mnet’s latest venture that has K-pop fandoms divided. When the channel first announced the survival show, they shared that fans would have to compete against each other to help promote their favorite K-pop groups. The winning fandom would allow their K-pop group to go on to perform on Mnet’s music show ‘M Countdown’, KCON, and have a special stage at one of the biggest K-pop award show MAMA.

Fans reasoned that K-pop groups with big fandoms like BTS and Blackpink would easily win. But such a show was not needed for them in the first place since they were already invited to these events and had enough promotions. Many were disheartened that underrated groups with smaller fandoms, who would get more recognition with a show like this, would be completely overshadowed. However, with Mnet’s latest instructions for ‘Road To Max’, fans are viewing the survival show more positively.

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'Road To Max' eligibility criteria favors underrated groups

On April 26, Mnet announced that ‘Road To Max’ was open to voting for nominations. However, there are some criteria like fans can only nominate a K-pop group or soloist who has not yet won on Mnet’s music show ‘M Countdown’. Additionally, fans can also nominate K-pop acts who have released a debut album whether a single or a studio album. Voting is open from April 26 till May 10, 2022, at 3 pm KST (2 am ET). Fans can vote by following ‘Road To Max’s Twitter account, register and recommend the K-pop act on mnet.world and also vote on Twitter.

In the first level of ‘Road To Max’, there will be five rounds and the act with the most votes in each round will get to perform on a special stage for 'Road To M Countdown’. All five winners of each round will then get to perform at KCON in the special segment ‘Road To KCON’. In the last level, there will be only one winner with the most votes who will then get to have the special stage ‘Road To MAMA’ at the MAMA award show.

'Please support'

With underrated groups now getting a fair chance to win, fans are excited. A Blackswan fan tweeted, “#ROADTOMAX just nominated Black Swan  (sorry y’all might wanna mute me I’m gonna feral on the TL.” An Everglow fan posted, “Remember to vote bestieeees 💗💃 #everglow #Roadtomax #Everglowisthebestgroupeveryouwacka*s.” A DKZ fan shared, “Aris, let's bring the boys to M COUNTDOWN, KCON, all the way to MAMA special stages!”

A Secret Number commented, “Please support secret number because they are 6 very talented, multitalented, multilingual girls. they are not very famous just because they are from a small agency.our lockey spirit proves the SECRET NUMBER is no different from big agencies. Fighting.” A TO1 fan added, “TO1 deserves it after everything they went through.” A P1Harmony fan said, "I recommend P1Harmony ! they’re so talented skillful group and their live stage performances are insane. they deserve more."