The giant global project 'Debut's Plan,' which captures the debut process of the new boy group that Starship is set to showcase this year, has sparked enthusiasm among global K-pop fans by demonstrating the birth of an all-rounder idol.
In the 'EP.3 episode' released on the 'New Kids on the Starship' YouTube channel on the night of the 28th at 9:30 p.m., the story of New Kids growing into perfect idols by compensating for their weaknesses through the second plan 'weakness position evaluation (WEAKNESS)' unfolded. The second 'New Kids 7' was born by adding together the scores from the first plan, 'strength position evaluation (STRENGTH),' and the 'weakness position evaluation,' raising interest.
'Debut's Plan' will release the dance team's new songs 'New A.G.K.,' 'DWN,' 'So G.oo.D,' and 'I’m OK, You’re OK' on the music streaming sites, including Melon, at 6 p.m. on the 30th (Sunday). 'New A.G.K.,' unveiled in the 'strength position evaluation,' is an oriental hip-hop song that received rave reviews for its conceptual stage performance, while 'DWN' captured the unique presence and confidence of New Kids atop a cool hip-hop beat. 'So G.oo.D,' revealed in the 'weakness position evaluation,' sang about love feelings directed at the one who stole my burning heart, and 'I’m OK, You’re OK' conveys the desire to do anything for love. After the stage reveal, fans flooded in with compliments and requests for the songs' release.
Prior to the 'weakness position evaluation,' NCT's Johnny and IVE's Liz and Ray, currently active idol seniors, made a surprise visit to the New Kids' training dome to care for their mental state. Johnny shared his personal mental management method and left advice he realized through experience, saying, "What you practice now lasts a lifetime. Effort becomes self-esteem, and self-esteem will show on stage." Liz and Ray from IVE also spent time with New Kids for a Q&A session and attended the rehearsal, wishing for them to create a good stage.
The first stage of the 'weakness position evaluation' dance team was presented by the 'So G.oo.D' team, composed of Kim Ji-yong, Woo Hao, Lee Tae-geon, Lee Jun-seo, and Jang Gyu-hyeon. Despite challenges such as the main dancer being changed from Lee Tae-geon to Woo Hao, the team's charm, solidified around leader Kim Ji-yong, peaked on stage.
In contrast, the 'I’m OK, You’re OK' team (Kim Yoon-seo, Miyata Haru, Jung Se-min, Jo Min-jae, Chu Yu-chan) quickly decided on Miyata Haru as the main dancer and displayed teamwork. They faced harsh criticism with "It’s a mess" during rehearsals but dedicated themselves to practice until just before the stage. Always cheerful, Miyata Haru broke down and shed tears. Fortunately, their hard work did not betray them. Trainer Choi Young-jun, who had been critical, looked at the members with teary eyes of emotion.
The 'Girls (aespa)' team (Kim Min-jae, Park Won-bin, Baek Jun-hyuk, Lee Woo-joo, Jeon Jun-seo) was organized around Kim Min-jae, who monopolized the leader and main vocal roles. They had a small conflict during the part distribution but restructured into a five-member team by sending Jin Bo-min to the 'Shine With Me (IVE)' team, completing an energetic stage.
The 'Shine With Me' team, made up of Park Seong-hyun, Park Jun-hwan, Seok-jun, Suzuki Kaira, and Jang Yong-hoon, managed to fill in the gap left by Park Seong-hyun due to health issues by adding Jin Bo-min, yet Seok-jun and Park Jun-hwan performed poorly. Special trainer Sistar’s Soyou provided sharp one-point lessons for Seok-jun and Park Jun-hwan, who showed growth in their skills without discouragement. The 'Shine With Me' team, reborn through the members' efforts, was recognized for its potential by the 'Debut's Plan' board and trainer team.
The board and trainer team selected all-rounder New Kids and those with growth potential through video evaluations. The winning teams by position were the 'So G.oo.D' team and the 'Girls' team, with Kim Ji-yong and Kim Min-jae taking first place. Miyata Haru, who secured overall first place among the 21 New Kids, expressed her bittersweet feelings of losing to the 'So G.oo.D' team and the joy of being overall first, shedding tears that evoked deep emotion.
The second 'New Kids 7' included Park Won-bin, Woo Hao, Suzuki Kaira, Kim Min-jae, Kim Ji-yong, Lee Woo-joo, and Baek Jun-hyuk. Kim Min-jae, Lee Woo-joo, and Baek Jun-hyuk newly entered New Kids 7, along with four from the 'Girls' team, including Park Won-bin. In contrast, Chu Yu-chan, Jang Yong-hoon, and Jang Gyu-hyeon, who were part of the first New Kids 7, did not make it to the second New Kids 7. Notably, the competitive tension between the same-age rivals Kim Min-jae and Jang Yong-hoon added excitement for future developments.
The 'EP.4 episode,' scheduled to be released on April 4, will preview the third plan 'communication (COMMUNICATION) evaluation,' with MONSTA X's IM and Min-hyuk expected to appear. New Kids' struggles with the evaluation that requires them to perform K-pop in foreign language versions, which they find overwhelming, raise curiosity.
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