Kim Gun-woo, the center of 'Boys2 Planet K,' received 'All-Star' accolades amidst the praise of the masters during the first broadcast.
The premiere of Mnet's survival program 'Boys2 Planet K' took place on the 17th. This 'Boys2 Planet' is divided into two teams, Planet K and Planet C, where only participants who prove their worth through fierce competition can qualify to meet in 'Boys2 Planet' and continue the competition for debut.
On this day, the competition to determine the ranks of participants from Planet K was depicted. The ranks are divided into All-Star, Two-Star, and One-Star, and the lowest rank is eliminated immediately after each mission. In particular, during the rank determination competition, each rank is assigned through team performances, and participants deemed ineligible for rank assignment under the masters' judgment are immediately eliminated as 'No-Star.'
Before the rank determination, the first meeting of participants was shown, and when Kim Gun-woo, the center of Planet K, made his appearance, exclamations erupted among the participants. Due to his tall stature and handsome visuals, other participants expressed admiration, stating, 'He was so handsome coming from a distance that I was staring blankly,' and 'He looks like he stepped out of a comic.'
Kim Gun-woo participated in the survival program as an ordinary person from Jeonju without an agency. On stage during the rank determination competition, Kim Gun-woo conveyed his determination, saying, 'As eager as I am for debut, I will show my best at every moment.' Vocal master Lee Seok-hoon noted, 'His words and gaze have a class president style.'
Continuing, vocal master Hyorin asked, 'Have you been a trainee for a long time?' Kim Gun-woo replied, 'I was with Source Music and Cube. I almost made it to debut, and while appearing on broadcasts, I felt like I would debut soon, but I kept failing right before that. I wondered whether I was forcing myself to hold on to a path that wasn't mine.'
He conveyed, 'I thought there is no more place to retreat or escape, and I have challenged myself with that mindset. I see 'Boys Planet' as my last chance to achieve my dreams.'
Dance master Kinky asked, 'Is there anything you want to hear most after the stage?' Kim Gun-woo said, 'I want to hear, where have you been until now?' and emphasized, 'It's not over until it's over, so let's show everything I've prepared without regrets and start again like that.'
Afterward, he chose 'SWEAT' by ZEROBASEONE for his performance. Vocal master Lim Han-byeol praised, saying, 'Where have you been until now?'
He stated, 'He sings live well. It seems like he has practiced for a long time, and the practice period didn't go to waste,' but also pointed out, 'Gun-woo's attitude on stage has a peculiarity of friends who have trained for a long time. He seems desperate rather than enjoying the stage, and that desperation tends to dampen the participants' vibrant charm.'
Hearing this, Kim Gun-woo remarked, 'It feels like I've been hit in the head. I didn't expect to look desperate on stage.' Nevertheless, Kim Gun-woo received 'All-Star.' Lim Han-byeol expressed, '(Among the masters) many discussions were exchanged,' and added, 'I hope that the stages he will show in the future in 'Boys2 Planet' will serve as a time for him to awaken himself.'
In response, Kim Gun-woo stated, 'I am happy to think that I started well in this challenge again, realizing that I am still a valuable person.'
Meanwhile, Kim Gun-woo was embroiled in controversy regarding his character as an exposé from his trainee days surfaced just before the first broadcast of 'Boys2 Planet.' The accuser, referred to as A, posted on social media, 'I am exposing the reality and character of the trainee known as the center of Boys2 Planet K. The reason for writing this is that I believe it is important to inform the public as soon as possible about the incorrect past, character, and reality of Kim Gun-woo, who is already receiving great love as a representative idol trainee image of Korea, so that damage to the soon-to-be-aired program is minimized.'
A claimed that about two years ago, when Kim Gun-woo was a trainee at B Company Entertainment, he received excessive favoritism from high-ranking employees and, leveraging this, ignored or bullied both employees and trainees. He reportedly used abusive language and harsh verbal attacks during this time, leading to trainees suffering from panic disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders, with some receiving psychiatric treatment and medication. Some trainees also left the company after paying a penalty, and A further disclosed that they are undergoing psychiatric treatment due to Kim Gun-woo's bullying, providing medical records as evidence. Additionally, the author released evidence such as envelopes from B Entertainment, parts of the trainee contracts, and conversations exchanged with officials regarding Kim Gun-woo's participation in 'Boys 2 Planet.'
As controversy grew, the 'Boys 2 Planet' team at Mnet stated to OSEN, 'The production team is aware of the seriousness of this matter and is currently verifying the facts regarding the allegations raised on social media,' adding, 'We are identifying the exact details through not only the individuals mentioned in the post but also officials who worked at B Entertainment at that time and related people. Separately, we are also closely reviewing the possibility of any legal issues.'
[Photo] Mnet
[OSEN]