Exciting Start for 'Boys Planet' with Talented Contestants

The highly anticipated survival program 'Boys Planet' premiered on July 17, 2025, showcasing a lineup of impressive contestants. The show divides participants into two teams, Planet K and Planet C, where they will compete fiercely to prove their worth and earn a chance to debut.

The first episode featured the ranking battle for Planet K contestants, categorized into All-Star, Two-Star, and One-Star ranks. After each mission, the lowest-ranked contestant is immediately eliminated. During the ranking battle, contestants performed in teams, and those deemed unqualified by the judges were labeled 'No-Star' and eliminated on the spot.

As contestants were introduced, excitement grew when Lee Rio and Lee Sang-won from the Grid team appeared, both known for their previous involvement in the Big Hit Music debut group Trainee A. Additionally, choreographer and dancer Yumeki, who participated in 'Street Man Fighter' with 1MILLION, surprised everyone with his appearance. Contestants expressed their admiration, stating, "Yumeki's videos are a must-watch for any idol trainee, and we all strive to emulate his moves. Why is he here as a contestant and not a master?"

The episode also introduced seasoned participants from groups like VERIVERY, DARKB, and MCND, alongside the judging panel, which included vocal masters Lee Seok-hoon, Lim Han-byeol, and Hyolyn, as well as dance masters Baek Gu-young, Kinky, and Kani, and rap master Justhis.

The first performance came from the IST Entertainment trainee team (Park Dong-kyu, Ren Sho, Arctic, Kim Si-hwan). Team leader Park Dong-kyu expressed confidence in their skills, stating, "I believe we can prove ourselves as strong trainees. Momentum is key, and we need to carry that energy forward." They performed NCT U's 'Misfit' and all received All-Star rankings. Lim Han-byeol noted that while Kim Si-hwan had received Two-Star feedback for his rap and dance, the team's synergy allowed them to achieve All-Star status.

Next, the six-year debut group MCND's members Song Min-jae, Noh Hwi-jun, and Bang Jun-hyuk took the stage. They aimed to showcase their energy and distinct charms, but fell short of expectations, with Min-jae and Hwi-jun receiving Two-Star rankings, while Jun-hyuk's rap mistake led to a One-Star ranking. Justhis candidly remarked, "Honestly, I wanted to give them 0 stars. They didn't show much for seasoned performers." The team attempted an additional dance test, but the results remained unchanged. Jun-hyuk vowed to prove his skills for a higher ranking in the future.

The spotlight also shone on Kim Gun-woo, a non-celebrity contestant from Jeonju, who is known as the center of 'Boys Planet.' He expressed his determination, saying, "I will give my all in every moment as I long for debut." Lee Seok-hoon commented on his confident demeanor, while Hyolyn questioned his lengthy trainee period. Gun-woo shared his past experiences with Source Music and Cube Entertainment, revealing his struggles with near-debuts and the fear of failure. He stated, "I see this as my last chance to achieve my dream. I want to hear people say, 'Where have you been? Now you're here.'" After his performance, he received praise from Lim Han-byeol, who echoed his sentiments.

As the ranking battle continued, several contestants were eliminated as 'No-Star.' Among them were seasoned performers from VERIVERY, Jo Gye-hyun, Yoo Kang-min, and Lee Dong-heon, who expressed their desire to become better artists. Gye-hyun hoped viewers would learn from their performance, and Lee Seok-hoon praised their experience, saying, "You can't overlook experience; it was a joy to watch." Lim Han-byeol was moved by Kang-min's dedication to live singing while dancing hard, awarding them all All-Star rankings.

The performance from Grid's Lee Rio and Lee Sang-won followed. When asked about their past failed debut, Sang-won shared his struggles and how he almost gave up on being an idol. However, he decided to join 'Boys Planet' after Lee Rio's encouragement. They performed ENHYPEN's 'No Doubt,' impressing the judges, although Sang-won faced a mishap when his shoe came off mid-performance, leading to a humorous moment. Both received All-Star rankings for their vocal and dance skills.

The episode concluded with Yumeki's performance of Rain's 'Rainism.' Kinky expressed surprise at meeting such a renowned dancer, asking about his motivation for joining the show. Yumeki revealed his childhood dream of being an idol and how working as a dancer made him envious of singers. He learned to sing for the first time for this audition, admitting, "I realized I have a lot to improve. Singing while dancing is challenging. I want to seize this opportunity and give it my all."

After his performance, Yumeki expressed disappointment in his results, questioning his abilities and why he was there. In the live voting results revealed at the end of the broadcast, Lee Sang-won secured the top spot, followed by Yoo Kang-min, Jung Sang-hyun, Choi Rip-woo, Lee Rio, Masato, Kim Gun-woo, and Kim Jun-seo in the Top 8.