Who will produce the best program and which group will succeed ZEROBASEONE?
In the hot summer of 2025, two survival shows targeting the K-pop talent market will launch successively, each with a different approach. These shows are “B:MY BOYZ” by SBS and “BOYS II PLANET” by Mnet. Although both programs differ in concept and selection process, they will engage in an intense battle to determine the next king of K-pop boy groups.
“B:MY BOYZ” will feature trainees with fresh faces who have not been seen on television before, offering viewers new, unfamiliar faces. This program will focus on an emotional storytelling approach, where 30 participants will gradually develop through missions. This format will attract viewers who enjoy immersing themselves in the relationships between the participants.
On the other hand, “BOYS II PLANET” will showcase trainees from major agencies, those already with some recognition, or those with experience from other audition programs. This will allow the program to quickly attract fandoms and generate buzz right from the early stages. However, some critics argue that the lack of a fully developed narrative from the start may make the experience less engaging for viewers.
30 elite participants for “B:MY BOYZ”… a story of growth
“B:MY BOYZ” will debut on June 14 at 5:20 PM on SBS. The program’s slogan is “Finding the ‘most iconic boy on Earth‘ who will accompany K-pop fans this summer.”
30 participants selected from around the world (South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, etc.) will take part in the competition under the name “B:GINNER”. The show distinguishes itself by its small number of participants and its format, which focuses on the progress of each candidate. Another unique aspect of the show is that active K-pop idols will choose the members of the future boy group. The final members of the group will be determined by the idols’ choices and fan votes, though the exact number of members has not yet been revealed.
“B:MY BOYZ” is SBS’s third male idol survival show, following “LOUD” in 2021 and “UNIVERSE LEAGUE” at the end of 2024 to early 2025, which led to the formation of the group TNX and a new group, AHOF, set to debut in July. SBS focuses on the growth of the participants rather than excessive competition, aiming to create a narrative where each member progresses in areas such as singing, dancing, and music production.
Active idols will serve as judges on the show, including HUI and JINHO from PENTAGON, YUJU from GFRIEND and as a solo artist, as well as dancer Lia Kim from 1Million Dance and Lee Yoo Jung, who will offer practical advice in their respective fields.
“BOYS II PLANET”… a large number of participants for fierce competition
“BOYS II PLANET”, which will air starting in July, is the sequel to “BOYS PLANET”, the show that created the group ZEROBASEONE, a major success with million-seller albums and impressive global chart achievements.
Mnet, known for its series like “Produce 101” and “Planet”, has always focused on formats with a large number of participants, allowing fandoms to form quickly even before the shows air. On June 9, Mnet launched a “blind pick” vote, revealing the profiles of 160 candidates, which has already sparked the creation of fandoms in various online communities.
Initially, “BOYS II PLANET” planned to split the groups into “BOYS II PLANET K” and “BOYS II PLANET C” to select two different groups. However, the producers later decided to merge the narratives of the two programs for greater immersion. The shows will debut on July 17 and 18, and from episode 3 onwards, participants will merge into a combined format to select the debut group members. A total of 8 members will be chosen from the 160 trainees.
A key event, the “Sangam Jeol”, where the participants will reveal themselves to the public for the first time, will take place on June 14, coinciding with the first episode of “B:MY BOYZ”, promising a strong competition between the two programs.
So, which program will you watch? Which one will you support this summer?
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS Mnet, SBS
