'Boys Planet' increased expectations by revealing impressive contestants from the first episode.
On the 17th, the first broadcast of Mnet's survival program 'Boys Planet K' took place. In this 'Boys Planet', participants are divided into two teams, Planet K and Planet C, and only those who prove their worth through fierce competition will qualify to continue the debut competition in 'Boys Planet.'
The broadcast that day depicted the determination match to decide the ranks of Planet K participants. The ranks are divided into All Star, Two Star, and One Star, and the lowest rank will be eliminated immediately after each mission. In the determination match, each rank is assigned through team performances, and those deemed unqualified by the masters are immediately eliminated as 'No Star.'
As the participants were introduced in order, Iri-o and Lee Sang-won from Grid appeared, causing a stir among the contestants. This was because they had previously participated as a debut team called Trainee A under Big Hit Music. Additionally, choreographer and dancer Yumeki, who had participated in 'Street Man Fighter' with One Million, also surprised everyone by appearing as a contestant. The participants expressed their amazement, stating, "Having appeared in 'Smanpa' and proven themselves, they choreographed for famous idol groups and have copied a lot. If you are an idol trainee, you must watch Yumeki's videos and try to emulate them as closely as possible," and, "I was a trainer during the Japanese 'Produce' series. Why is someone who should be a master here?"
Finally, following the introduction of 'experienced' participants like Verivery, Darkbee, and MCND, the master lineup also made their appearance. The vocal masters Lee Seok-hoon, Lim Han-byeol, and Hyolyn, as well as dance masters Baek Kooyoung, Kinki, and Kani, along with rap master Justthis were all present as the rank determination match officially began.
The first group to perform was the IST Entertainment trainee team (Park Dong-kyu, Rensho, Artiq, Kim Si-hwan). Park Dong-kyu stated, "I am the leader of the team. I have great pride in our skills, and I am confident in hearing people say, 'How can a trainee do that well?' I think momentum is important. We have to go with momentum." They then performed NCT U's 'Misfit' and all received 'All Star' ratings. Lim Han-byeol explained, "In the case of Si-hwan, many opinions regarded him as a Two Star if we look at rap and dance separately. Because they showed a stage from which none could be omitted in the group's harmony, they were able to receive All Stars."
Next up was the stage of MCND members Song Min-jae, Noh Hwi-jun, and Bang Jun-hyuk, who have six years of experience since their debut. They stated, "Our team name is 'Crazy Guys,' so our stage has good energy and each of us has distinct charms," and, "We will make you feel what being a pro is." However, due to their underwhelming skills, Gong Min-jae and Noh Hwi-jun received Two Star ratings. Bang Jun-hyuk, who made a mistake in his rap, received a One Star rating, prompting Justthis to comment, "Honestly, I want to give him 0 stars. Did he not bring anything for someone with experience?" Under a rule that allows a team to take an additional test in one position if all agreed, they performed a dance for an additional test, but the results remained unchanged. Bang Jun-hyuk stated, "I will strive to prove my skills and receive a higher star rating."
Meanwhile, the stage of Kim Gun-woo, a general participant from Jeonju known as the center of 'Boys Planet,' was also revealed. He greeted, saying, "As I am desperate to debut, I will show my best at every moment." Lee Seok-hoon remarked, "His words and gaze are like those of a student council president," and Hyolyn inquired, "Has your trainee period been long?" Kim Gun-woo responded, "I was with Source Music and Cube. I almost made my debut, but while participating in broadcasts, I often thought, 'I am going to debut soon,' but every time I stood at the threshold, I ended up failing. I also wondered if I was really not meant to pursue this path, or if I was just stubbornly clinging to it."
He continued, "Now I think there is no place left to retreat or escape. I believe 'Boys Planet' is my last chance to achieve my dream." When asked what he most wants to hear after the stage, he replied, "Where have you been until now? I want to hear that kind of talk," to which Lim Han-byeol, who watched his stage, praised, "Where have you been until now?" He added, "He sang well. It seems like he has practiced for a long time, and that effort hasn't been in vain. However, Gun-woo's performance attitude on stage has a specific tone found in long-term trainees. Instead of enjoying the stage, he looks desperate, and that desperation tends to diminish the participants' charm." With that, he awarded him an 'All Star.'
The rank determination matches continued, during which several participants were eliminated as 'No Stars.' Among them were experienced participants from Verivery, Jo Gye-hyun, Yoo Gang-min, and Lee Dong-heon, who debuted seven years ago. Yoo Gang-min stated, "Let's become good singers once more. It feels like a challenge," and noted, "I wanted to take more stages through this chance, so I think I captured this opportunity. I will do my best." Jo Gye-hyun expressed, "I hope many can learn from feeling and such after watching our stage," showing confidence. Lee Seok-hoon, after watching the performance, expressed his gratitude, saying, "I was glad to see that you can't ignore experience," and Lim Han-byeol was moved, stating, "I was touched watching Gang-min dance without hesitation and live while straining his body. I think participants watching this will learn a lot. Although the oldest, the sincerity in their performance earned them applause, and they all received 'All Star.'
Next was the stage of Iri-o and Lee Sang-won from Grid, who are former trainees of Big Hit. When asked about the time when their debut fell through, Lee Sang-won shared, "There were various circumstances, but I also left the agency then and couldn't make my debut. At that time, I honestly didn't want to anymore. I think I was in a period of considering it while doing part-time work at a cafe. I really wanted to give up on being an idol and wanted to stop. I wanted to take a break. It took a long time," he confessed. It was then that Iri-o's suggestion led them to appear on 'Boys Planet.'
The two selected ENHYPEN's 'No Doubt' and impressed the audience with their solid skills from the start. However, during the performance, an incident occurred where Lee Sang-won's shoe came off, leading him to exclaim, "Oh darn," which drew attention. Lee Seok-hoon laughed, saying, "It's the first time I've heard someone say 'Oh darn' in the middle of a performance," and comforted the kneeling Lee Sang-won, stating, "It's okay. I understand." The two received high praise for their vocal and dance performance and were awarded 'All Star.'
The finale of the broadcast was graced by Yumeki. Kinki asked, "You're such a famous dancer and choreographer who is active to the extent that one cannot do without you in the K-pop world. I'm so surprised to meet you here. What brought you to apply?" Yumeki replied, "I've had a dream of being an idol since I was young. But after becoming a dancer and seeing the singers up close, I felt so envious and wondered why I couldn't do it. Perhaps this isn't what I truly want to do," he shared. He mentioned that he learned to sing for the first time for this audition, saying, "I realized I can't sing at all and felt quite inadequate. It certainly feels tough to sing while dancing. I sang for the first time due to this audition. I was worried but wanted to show the best version of myself by starting my singing lessons. I feel like there won't be another opportunity like this. I want to seize this good chance and go all the way without regrets."
Yumeki's song choice was 'Rainism' by Bi. However, after hearing the results following his performance, Yumeki said, "My pride was deeply hurt. I didn't realize I was lacking so much. Why did I come here?" expressing despair and raising curiosity.
Meanwhile, in the real-time voting status revealed at the end of the broadcast, Lee Sang-won took first place, drawing attention. Following him were Yoo Gang-min, Jeong Sang-hyun, Choi Rip-woo, Iri-o, Masato, Kim Gun-woo, and Kim Jun-seo, who made up the TOP 8.
[Photo] Mnet
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