One of the hottest Korean idol survival shows on air, "Boys Planet", is turning up the heat with every episode. Online communities and social media are constantly abuzz with all things "Boys Planet", and fans are passionately supporting their favorite contestants. From voting campaigns to promotions, objective episode reviews, criticism, and more - "Boys Planet" has created quite a stir in the K-Pop fandom.
In light of all this excitement around the next big boy group in K-Pop, we picked our top 9 contestants, based on their performance on the show, both in and out of missions. This list is not ranked and is based solely on what we have seen of these contestants so far, not on their past success, popularity, or current ranking. More importantly, this list was made from our opinion and does not seek to make predictions.
So, without further ado, here are our top 9 picks for the winning group of "Boys Planet"!
1. Lee HoeTaek
PENTAGON's Hui garnered much attention from netizens and fans for participating in "Boys Planet". His appearance was met with polarising reactions, some sympathetic, others not so much. Hui revealed on the show that "Boys Planet" was his only shot at bringing a second wind to his career, and so trainee Lee HoeTaek was going to grab it no matter what.
Throughout the episodes that have aired so far, HoeTaek showed immense grace as a senior artist but also a sense of humility, a willingness to learn and grow, and an open-minded attitude that drew viewers in. This new side of Hui as Lee HoeTaek, complete with his fresh charms, made us fall in love with him all over again.
At the same time, Hui's incomparable talents are also shining bright, especially when he adapts to the missions confidently and guides his team members while also taking their opinions and creative choices into account. This comes as no surprise, given Hui's experience in the industry, but it is refreshing to see how he is evolving in accordance with the demands of the current/future generation of K-Pop, ready to emerge as a completely new and improved version of himself. Most importantly, even if we disregard all this and stick to his skills alone, there's no doubt that Hui deserves to be in the debuting group.
2. Sung HanBin
A likely candidate for the title of "Nation's Center", Sung HanBin left a deep impression on viewers from the moment he walked into the scene. Hard-working, talented, grounded, with tons of potential, Sung HanBin is a powerhouse waiting to be tapped into. Not only has he displayed excellent skills on the show, but his charisma, star quality, and likeability are off the charts. Even K-Pop fans who are not watching "Boys Planet" are rooting for Sung HanBin to debut!
The ability to create such an impact in such a short time is indeed impressive and speaks volumes of HanBin's knack for becoming an idol. He is already beloved both in South Korea and overseas and his popularity is only going to rise in the future. With a strong foundation in vocals, dance, and performance, Sung HanBin has ample scope to grow, and we're excited to see him explore his own style in the future.
3. Keita
Ciipher's Keita has a highly trained background and is widely recognized as an ace in K-Pop. He is talented in multiple fields (rapping, singing, dancing) and brings a unique power to his performance that is unlike any other. With stunning duality, Keita has a way of commanding the stage and the spotlight which pulls the audience into the performance. This has been a huge strength for Keita on the show, allowing viewers and mentors to thoroughly judge and appreciate him.
Keita's distinct husky vocals and unique rap tone would be great assets in a group setting, especially in one that Mnet is presenting as a 5th generation group. He has the perfect raw edge to be memorable, but is also refined as an artist. Similarly, the effortlessness in Keita's performance on stage makes it even more enjoyable, which is nothing if not an advantage for the group.
4. Zhang Hao
Another all-rounder in the making, Zhang Hao has impressed viewers from the moment he appeared on screen for his prodigious talents. In an industry that is constantly changing, setting new trends faster than ever before, Zhang Hao is perfectly suited to dominate. Besides his remarkable skill with the violin, he also has one of the most stable vocals on the show and his stage presence is out of this world. We can already imagine all the different creative directions the winning group could go in, with Zhang Hao in it.
What's more, is that Zhang Hao has also managed to win hearts all over the world with his endearing personality. He has an extraordinary aptitude for leadership, even more so because we've seen him lead with kindness, empathy, and compassion. At the same time, there's also a simple innocence to him that caught our eye, cementing his place on our top 9 list.
5. Seok Matthew
Seok Matthew gives off the vibe of a born idol. He is charming, thoughtful, friendly - the perfect golden retriever energy that we love and adore but he is also an amazing performer with a natural affinity for the stage. His dance lines are neat and elegant, making any choreography he performs appear more dynamic. In addition, Matthew has a rare ability to communicate with the audience even without words that has an enchanting effect. He takes constructive criticism in his stride and is constantly improving with each challenge.
Another strength of Seok Matthew is his versatility - both on stage and in terms of his aesthetic. It is easy to picture him in any number of concepts, whether that be dark, boyish, romantic, peppy, or otherwise. Similarly, from what we've seen so far, he can perfectly execute pop, hip-hop, and trap so we can only imagine how much more his genre spectrum will expand once he debuts.
6. Jay Chang
Brace yourselves because a power vocalist has entered the building. Putting the pop in K-Pop, Jay is easily one of the best singers on the show and arguably one of the best in the industry at the moment. The boy is blessed with the most gorgeous, resonant voice that he has polished to perfection. Ballads to rock - Jay can do it all! For those who might not know, Jay is also a songwriter! Now, that's what we call a complete rockstar!
If this was not impressive enough already, Jay is also a fantastic dancer with a grand presence. You simply cannot take your eyes off of him! As a matter of fact, he's not just a dancer but an entertainer to the fullest. Oozing with the "X" factor, Jay is an "it boy" through and through. If Jay does debut, it will be interesting to see him hopefully participate in the album production process too!
7. Kum JunHyeon
"Heart of the group" - this is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Kum JunHyeon as an idol. In only four episodes, Kum JunHyeon has absolutely captured fans' hearts worldwide. From his iconic, loveable personality to his comedic timing, this is a variety star right here! We have no doubt that Kum JunHyeon will thrive in whatever field of entertainment he chooses but in the context of "Boys Planet" in particular, JunHyeon continues to prove that he is destined for the stage. It is no surprise, therefore, that he is such an exceptional, emotive, and precise performer.
Kum JunHyeon makes you want to support him by virtue of his existence, and his varied talents make it rather easy for us to do so. He knows how to work the audience, be it live or on camera, and create an irresistible energy in the room, which is certainly not a simple task. More importantly, JunHyeon visibly enjoys being on stage and makes it look extremely fun too! We cannot imagine a winning group without Kum JunHyeon.
8. Park GunWook
We're officially nicknaming Park GunWook the "Man of Steel". Why? Well, besides his intense stage persona, overwhelming confidence, bold aura, and unbeatable spirit, Park GunWook is also a determined, fearless, unrelenting young man who justifiably has the world raving for him. From his statuesque physique, power-packed dancing, impactful rap & singing, and intimidatingly handsome visuals to his ability to stay strong and level-headed in tricky circumstances, Park GunWook is well-equipped to take over the K-Pop industry.
Beyond this tough exterior, though, GunWook is also a dreamer with a golden heart. He's the best "best boy" you could imagine and is (not so) secretly filled with cuteness. However, despite his young age, he is mature, sharp, witty, perceptive, and considerate of others. What more could we ask for in an idol? Park GunWook is the complete package!
9. Haruto
Finally, this lineup would not be complete without Haruto - the multitalented trainee with an endless supply of charms. From aegyo to allure, Haruto has got it all. His unmatched facial expressions give just the right amount of extra pizzazz to his already flawless performance, which is an art that can easily take years to master. Haruto might be a trainee, but he has the finesse of an experienced idol, which can be a great addition to the debuting group.
Haruto is also known on the show for his unique and quirky personality. His carefree attitude makes him memorable, but he also has a streak of perfectionism to make sure that what he delivers is only the best quality. Ever so often, you can see hints of his creative genius shining through, and his showmanship is truly worth high praise. We cannot wait to see Haruto debut!
In addition to these contestants, several more amazing trainees could rise up the ranks at any given moment as the show progresses. In our opinion, these include Kim GyuVin, Kim JiWoong, Ricky, Lee YeDam, Lee JongHyeon, Wang ZiHao, Cha WoongKi, Han YuJin, Yoon JongWoo, UP10TION's HwanHee, Chen KuanJui, Na Kamden, and Yoo SeungEon. You can learn more about "Boys Planet" and get to know the trainees here.
Who are you voting for? Share your top 9 picks with Kpopmap in the comments section down below!