The show that launched the careers of Park Ji-min, Lee Hi, brother-sister duo Akdong Musician and Bernard Park has finally returned for its fourth season.

The popular reality survival K-pop audition program “K-pop Star 4” aired its first episode on Sunday, and is looking to up the excitement by featuring an all-new guest judges format.

Similar to last year’s show, this season will include the program’s three main judges ― Yang Hyun-suk of YG Entertainment, Park Jin-young of JYP Entertainment and You Hee-yeol of Antenna Music. However, in a new twist, contestants this time around will have to tackle the daunting pressure of having to impress “K-pop Star” contestants, a number of K-pop idol stars and influential music figures from the three agencies, as guest judges on the show.

The guest judges include JYP artists 2AM’s Jin-woon, former Wonder Girls members Ye Eun and Sunmi, members of the Peppertones, and Park Sae Byul. Former “K-pop Star” Season 1 winner Park Ji-min and second runner-up Baek Ah-yeon will also be participating as judges this season, as well as YG monster rookies and former K-pop Star contestants Lee Hi and Akdong Musician.

The weekly show will run every Sunday afternoon on SBS.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)