'B:MY BOYZ' and 'BOYS II PLANET' are capturing the K-POP fandom with their distinct charms.
On the 17th, Mnet's 'BOYS II PLANET' (hereafter 'Boys 2 Planet') aired its first episode, while SBS's Saturday audition program 'B:MY BOYZ' (hereafter 'B:My Boyz') is currently in the middle phase, creating a buzz with its survival format that is both similar yet different.
'B:MY BOYZ' and 'BOYS II PLANET' aim to create the next-generation global boy group and possess their own strengths. Simply observing the number of participating trainees shows that 'B:MY BOYZ' has fewer than 30 participants, while 'BOYS II PLANET' includes a total of 160, comprising 80 from Group K and 80 from Group C. While 'B:MY BOYZ' emphasizes the charm of its select few trainees, 'BOYS II PLANET' provides a variety of options. These differences are captivating viewers.
First, 'B:MY BOYZ' offers a refreshing appeal as most of its participants, known as B:GINNER, are 'new faces.' Despite it being their first audition, standout performances from experienced trainees like Kai, Moon Jae-il, and Kim Jeong-hoon highlight their impressive skills, establishing a new fandom for the audition program. Additionally, the unique format includes surprise missions with fans from the very first broadcast, presenting a special narrative that showcases the initial starting point as trainees and allows for countless combinations in team performances. In this process, the trainees' skills and charms, as well as various chemistry dynamics, formed a distinctive color unique to 'B:MY BOYZ.'
Another point of interest is that at each round, top idols personally watch the stages of 'B:MY BOYZ' B:GINNERs and determine 'TOP PICK.' The senior moments of popular idol members from NCT and MONSTA X evoke warmth, and through them, 'B:MY BOYZ' has significantly lowered the entry barriers typically associated with audition programs. This allows them to absorb existing top idol fans into the 'B:MY BOYZ' fandom B:inUS, making this rule even more special.
'BOYS II PLANET' features as many experienced participants as there are trainees. This includes Berry Berry, who has entered its 7th year since debuting in 2019, along with currently active idol members enlisted as participants. Age diversity among participants ranges from teens to those in their 30s. Furthermore, the first broadcast showcased evaluation stages for trainees from various agencies, which are not part of the main competition, sparking familiar interest with a different trajectory compared to 'B:MY BOYZ.'
Attention is focused on what kind of debut group will emerge from the fresh, straightforward approach of 'B:MY BOYZ' and the wide spectrum of 'BOYS II PLANET.'
'B:MY BOYZ' airs every Saturday at 5:20 p.m. on SBS, and is available on various global OTT platforms such as Netflix, Abema (ABEMA), WeTV, and Rakuten Viki.
'BOYS II PLANET' airs every Thursday and Friday at 9:20 p.m.
[OSEN]