Korea’s talent search show Superstar K has started receiving contestant applications on March 2nd, drawing more than 220 thousand wannabe stars over just six days. Cable music channel Mnet reported that audition applications were received through phone calls and online videos, and roughly 20 thousand applications were registered in just 11 hours since the audition call went out.

The producer of Superstar K said that most of the prospective contestants were in their 20s and 30s, but some were in their 40s. This year’s first prize was doubled to 200 thousand won (around 188 thousand dollars), boosting the popularity of the Korean version of “The American Idol.” In the first season of the show some 720 thousand people showed up for the audition, and Seo In-gook won the competition, beating out ten finalists. Those who passed the first preliminary round will be notified by phone.