Mnet, widely known as a powerhouse in survival audition programming, has launched its ambitious follow-up to the Boys Planet franchise ‘Boys II Planet’. Building on the success of Girls Planet 999 and Boys Planet, this third installment escalates the format’s scale and intensity, introducing new rules, diverse participants, and tougher eliminations.
New Format, Higher Stakes
Unlike previous seasons that divided trainees by nationality (e.g., K, C, J groups), Boys II Planet splits contestants by language-based programs Planet K (Korean-speaking) and Planet C (Chinese-speaking). Originally conceived as two separate debut projects, production changes have now merged both planets into a unified competition, forming a singular debut team.
With 80 contestants per planet, the show kicks off with “Grade Evaluation Battles”, where team performances determine individual rankings. Trainees face immediate elimination if they receive the lowest grade. This season also introduces the “No Star” concept—trainees deemed unqualified by the masters are instantly cut from the competition, raising the pressure from the outset.
Experienced vs. Rookie Trainees
A mix of rookie hopefuls and seasoned idols, including seven-year veterans from groups like VERIVERY and Choco1, bring varied levels of experience to the stage. These idol veterans quickly made their mark, securing high “3-Star” ratings with polished performances.
Meanwhile, standout rookies like Lee Rion and Lee Sang-won (former BigHit’s Trainee A) stunned judges with their strong vocals and stage presence, earning “All-Star” status. Other notable names like Kim Si-hwan, Renxiao, Park Dong-gyu, and Artic also impressed, along with Kang Woo-jin, who received praise for his unique rendition of BoA’s “Atlantis Princess.”
Yet the competition is unforgiving. Some trainees, like Park Nu-ri and Baek Jae-hyun, were visibly emotional after receiving “No Star” ratings, despite showcasing energy and determination. The masters’ stern assessments hint at the show’s heightened level of rigor this season.
Despite its tough format, Boys II Planet launched to strong viewership. On streaming platform TVING, the program captured nearly 75% real-time viewing share and topped real-time search rankings. On X (formerly Twitter), keywords related to the show trended in nine countries, while Weibo and Yahoo Japan saw the show dominate their entertainment charts.
Early Controversy: Kim Gun-woo Allegations
However, the show’s promising start is overshadowed by pre-debut controversy. Trainee Kim Gun-woo, a non-idol contestant and the show’s center for the signal song, was accused of past bullying during his trainee days at a now-defunct entertainment company. Allegations suggest he received favoritism and used it to harass other trainees. Critics also questioned whether his central role was prearranged.
Mnet responded by stating they are “aware of the seriousness of the issue and are investigating the validity of the online accusations.” Nonetheless, Kim appeared without edits in the premiere episode, including scenes where he was awarded “All-Star” and praised by fellow contestants raising concerns that ongoing controversy may affect public perception of the program.
Can Mnet Deliver Another Success?
Following the success of Kep1er, the first project group to extend their contract, and ZEROBASEONE, who achieved five consecutive million-seller albums, expectations for Boys II Planet are sky-high. The show’s larger scale and complex format offer fresh excitement but also increase the potential risks.
As the season progresses, viewers will watch closely to see which narratives unfold and which contestants rise above the noise to form the next major K-pop group.
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