Watch: Kim Dong Bin Impresses "Produce X 101" Judges With Immense Improvement From "Produce 101 Season 2"

May 03, 2019

Kim Dong Bin, who was first introduced as a trainee through “Produce 101 Season 2” in 2017, has made a triumphant comeback in “Produce X 101,” impressing the judges and his fellow trainees with his level of improvement over two years.

In the first episode of the newest “Produce” season, the new batch of 101 trainees were introduced to the world as they took to the stage in front of the judges to receive their first ranking.

Actor Lee Dong Wook, the host of the show, explained that there are five different ranks: A, B, C, D, and X. He said, “Trainees that receive a ranking of X will not be able to enter the training center. It means that you are not yet ready to debut.”

As Kim Dong Bin stepped on stage, Lee Dong Wook said, “You received an F ranking on ‘Produce 101 Season 2,’ is that right?” Kim Dong Bin said, “That’s correct.” In Season 2, the trainee was eventually eliminated with a final ranking of No. 58.

As NCT Dream’s “Chewing Gum” started to play, the trainees’ jaws dropped in surprise, as “Chewing Gum” was also Kim Dong Bin’s song choice for “Produce 101 Season 2.”

One of the trainees commented, “This is a huge risk, doing the same song as Season 2.”

When the performance began, the trainees and judges immediately recognized his improvement, watching with smiles on their faces. Kim Dong Bin went into a dance break and wrapped up his performance with a cover of Shinhwa’s “Perfect Man,” earning applause from all watching.

The judges gave Kim Dong Bin a B rating, and he said, “My training has really paid off. I feel today is the day my life has changed.”

Watch Kim Dong Bin’s performance below.