“Boys II Planet” Launches with Massive 160-Contestant Dual-Audition Format

The survival audition genre just got a major overhaul. Mnet’s new series ‘Boys II Planet’, a follow-up to its popular Boys Planet, is making waves even before its premiere with a dual-country audition system and a record-breaking 160 contestants.

Launched as a K-pop boy group project, the show introduces two separate pools of contestants: Planet K (for Korean participants) and Planet C (for Chinese-speaking participants), each featuring 80 trainees vying for a single, unified debut group.

This format represents a notable shift in global K-pop training and debut strategies, as Mnet seeks to bridge linguistic, cultural, and industry gaps by combining two parallel worlds into a shared dream.

From Two Planets, One “Alpha Group”

Initially designed as two separate shows to debut separate groups, Boys II Planet eventually pivoted to form one final debut team, the “Alpha Group.” Viewers—known as “Star Creators”—will be responsible for determining contestant rankings and ultimately selecting the final lineup through votes.

According to Chief Producer (CP) Kim Shin Young, this decision was born from curiosity and ambition:

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“The K and C participants have completely different personalities and potential. I felt combining them into one group would create an even better outcome.”

By allowing these groups to interact and compete on the same stage, producers aim to produce a group that embodies both the polish of the K-pop system and the authenticity of fresh global talent.

Expanding to Planet C: A Strategic Move into China

The expansion into China via Planet C was a deliberate move. CP Kim explained that in the first season, many talented Chinese-speaking trainees couldn’t fully showcase their potential due to the Korean-only format.

“Their full charms and talents weren’t fully conveyed,” Kim said, “so we chose to start this twin-planet format with the Chinese-speaking world.”

This new format includes a Chinese-language version of the show, and the production is designed to resonate with both Korean and Chinese audiences while maintaining a unified theme and vision.

CP Kim also revealed that future seasons may feature other regions—hinting at a broader, pan-Asian or even global expansion.

Mentorship and Cultural Contrast

The July 16 press conference at The Saint introduced an impressive mentor lineup, including Lee Seok Hoon, Hyolyn, Kim Jae Joong, Shen Xiaoting, Lim Han Byul, JUSTHIS, and more—totaling 13 industry veterans from various backgrounds.

These mentors will guide trainees not only in performance but also in adapting to different cultural norms and expectations.

Mentor Lim Han Byul pointed out the striking contrast between Planet K and Planet C trainees:

“The Korean contestants feel like what we’ve seen before. But the C contestants are bold and unpredictable—you’ll be surprised they’re allowed to air some of it!”

Kim Jae Joong, a 2nd-gen idol, shared his admiration for the Planet C trainees, many of whom have no formal training:

“They’ve practiced alone, and their raw talent just needs refining. It’s our job to help them discover what they’re capable of.”

Addressing Viewer Concerns: Fairness, Airtime, and Contracts

The production team is already confronting long-standing concerns surrounding K-pop survival shows, such as fair airtime, favoritism, and contractual issues.

With 160 contestants, it’s impossible to give equal screen time to everyone during broadcast episodes.

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CP Kim reassured fans by emphasizing additional promotional content like fancams, individual videos, and social media spotlights.

“We constantly tell contestants: ‘Whatever it takes, express your charm.’”

In response to concerns about bias toward Wake One trainees (a CJ ENM subsidiary), Kim responded firmly:

“We’re fully aware of how sharp viewers are. Any favoritism would only damage the brand long-term.”

The team is also considering potential cultural and legal challenges related to the inclusion of Chinese idols in Korean groups—something that has caused contract disputes in past years.

Strategies are in place to avoid such friction through global marketing support.

Air Dates and Where to Watch

Planet K (Korean version) premieres on July 17 at 9:20 PM KST
Planet C (Chinese version) follows on July 18 at the same time

The show will be available through Mnet, and globally via TVING, Abema, Viu, Viki, and iQIYI, making it easily accessible to international viewers.

A New Global Standard in Idol Auditions?

What Boys II Planet offers isn’t just a bigger cast or broader reach—it’s a reimagining of the survival show format.

With dual cultural identities, simultaneous multilingual production, and mentorship tailored for diverse backgrounds, the series aims to foster a truly global K-pop boy group.

As mentor Lee Seok Hoon summed it up: