Starship, home to the groups IVE and MONSTA X, is showcasing a massive global project called 'Debut's Plan,' which captures the debut process of a new boy group planned for this year. The first phase, 'Strength Position Evaluation,' features 21 New Kids who wrote a compelling drama that brings both heartfelt emotion and thrilling excitement.

On the 17th at 9:30 p.m., the 'EP.1 Episode' was released on the 'New Kids on the Starship' YouTube channel, detailing how the 21 New Kids from the 'Debut Preparation Team' emerged from 33 Starship trainees to complete the first phase and become New Kids 7, which grants significant benefits. In particular, the crossover of the underdogs 'New A.G.K' team and the high-ability 'DWN' team heightened the tension.

The last remaining trainees from the month-end evaluation, Kim Min-jae, Kim Yoon-seo, Kim Ji-yong, Park Seong-hyeon, Park Won-bin, Park Jun-hwan, Baek Joon-hyuk, Seok Jun, Woo Ha-o, Lee Woo-joo, Lee Jun-seo, Lee Tae-geon, Jang Gyu-hyeon, Jang Yong-hoon, Jeon Jun-seo, Jeong Se-min, Jo Min-jae, Jin Bo-min, Choo Yu-chan, Kaira, and Haru, totaling 21 trainees, have settled in as the 'Debut Preparation Team' Starship New Kids and started their vigorous journey.

First, the huge main dome and the vocal room were revealed, catching attention as Starship created the hideout dome exclusively for New Kids. The New Kids were impressed by Starship's exceptional scale and felt a sense of pride. In the main dome, reminiscent of a spaceship, the frontman of 'Debut's Plan' explained the method of the 'Strength Position Evaluation,' where seven members will be decided to become New Kids 7 in the first phase. The New Kids shone with determination as they gazed towards their singular goal of debut.

The 'Strength Position Evaluation' will feature three vocal teams and two dance teams, totaling five teams. Seven New Kids will be selected as New Kids 7, comprising the top member from each team along with two second-place members from the highest-ranked position team. The New Kids 7 selected in the first phase will receive benefits such as becoming the center of the theme song 'ImPerfect' stage and a concept photo shoot exclusively for New Kids 7.

Prior to song selection, a roulette was spun, randomly selecting four New Kids: Kim Yoon-seo, Woo Ha-o, Jang Gyu-hyeon, and Kaira. They chose their strong positions first and formed teams with support from the other New Kids. The six New Kids who were not selected—Park Won-bin, Jang Yong-hoon, Lee Woo-joo, Jeon Jun-seo, Seok Jun, and Park Jun-hwan—automatically became part of the dance position team. While their pride was hurt, the New Kids' determination to showcase their talents on stage raised expectations.

For the 'Strength Position Evaluation' songs, the vocal team selected Red Velvet's Irene and Seulgi's 'Monster,' DAY6's 'Pretty,' and AILEE's 'Magnetic,' while the dance team chose the new songs 'New A.G.K' and 'DWN' from the previously revealed highlight medley. Vocal team member Lee Jun-seo and dance team member Jin Bo-min secured the top positions, successfully claiming their desired songs. After placing last, vocal team member Choo Yu-chan couldn't lift his face in self-reproach and showed tears of frustration.

Following this, the New Kids gathered by team to select their leader, main vocalist, and main dancer, dividing the parts. Although there were conflicts among the New Kids due to their burning passion for the stage, they navigated through it wisely with the shared goal of achieving good results. Their friendship deepened through the process of resolving conflicts.

On the day of the much-anticipated first phase evaluation, key members and associates of Starship, as well as the trainer team, attended. Vocal trainer Yoo Yeon-jeong from WJSN (Cosmic Girls) and dance trainer Choi Young-jun expressed confidence in the New Kids' dazzling growth, raising expectations.

The first performance staged by the 'New A.G.K' team was intense from the intro, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the audience. From the main dancer Park Won-bin, who flawlessly executed the stage concept, to the youngest Lee Woo-joo, who exuded such a relaxed presence that one might mistake him for a current idol, everyone shone and felt rewarded for their hard work. The trainer team praised them with comments like 'It's a miracle' and 'You wrote a drama,' expressing their pride. Additionally, the members turned their praise towards the leader Jang Yong-hoon, who struggled emotionally during the team lead.

In contrast, the 'DWN' team's stage, where all members could be deemed capable as main dancers, fell short of expectations, bringing disappointment. The core members of Starship and the trainer team praised the individual skills of each member and the well-crafted choreography but noted that there was a lack of emotion, hoping for improvement using this opportunity. Consequently, Park Seong-hyeon, who led the choreography, felt self-reproach, and Jin Bo-min, feeling inadequate as a leader, apologized to the members. While the result was not what they desired, the story of the New Kids clashing and growing through the first phase held deep significance.

The next performance by the vocal position team was staged by the 'Pretty' team. They began practicing under a gloomy atmosphere due to difficulties in song selection, and moments of the leader Kim Ji-yong sitting down in tears, apologizing, and the members comforting him heightened the tension over what had occurred.

Meanwhile, reactions from the 'Monster' team and 'Magnetic' team expressing disappointment over the announcement of the New Kids 7 candidates stirred curiosity. As they prepared for the second phase evaluation, the trainer team's harsh critiques poured in, and the sudden variable of 'member trade' foreshadowed deep contemplation among the New Kids, adding to the anticipation for episode 2, which will be released at 9:30 p.m. on the 21st (Friday).

'Debut's Plan,' designed to transform imperfect idols into perfect idols, will select each of the 7 New Kids alongside the key members of Starship, focusing on the viewers. The New Kids selected by both viewers and Starship may fully align, partially align, or completely diverge. If there is full agreement, the final debut evaluation will feature the debut stage of the 7 New Kids. In the case of disagreement, at least 8 to 14 New Kids will advance to the final debut evaluation.

The final New Kids will be determined by summing votes from the first through third rounds, with the first round taking place on April 3 until 10 a.m. One vote per day is allowed, enabling voting daily for a total of 7 New Kids.

[Photo] Provided by Starship Entertainment.

[OSEN]