Boys Planet Spin-Off: Testing K-Pop's Second-Chance Formula

Ten months after Mnet's survival show "Boys Planet" ended, something interesting is brewing behind the scenes.

On January 26, JoyNews24 reported that discussions are underway to form a spin-off group featuring contestants from the show. Chuei Li Yu, Kang Woo Jin, and Jang Haneum are reportedly involved, though details like the final lineup and total member count remain unconfirmed.

The Survival After the Survival

"Boys Planet" aired in 2023 and created the global boy group ZEROBASEONE. But what happened to the other 98 trainees who competed but didn't make the final cut? They've each taken different paths – some debuted with other groups through their agencies, others are still preparing for their chance.

This spin-off discussion represents something new: the "long tail" effect of survival shows. Instead of being a one-and-done event, these programs might have staying power beyond their original purpose.

The agencies involved are keeping their cards close. Chuei Li Yu's agency Fantagio stated that "nothing has been confirmed yet," while Kang Woo Jin'sPLEDIS Entertainment offered similar cautious responses.

Breaking the Traditional Formula

What makes this development intriguing is how it challenges the conventional idol industry playbook. Typically, survival shows create one group and that's it. But now we're seeing "second-wave processing" – trainees from different agencies who met on one show, went their separate ways, and are now potentially reuniting.

This suggests the K-Pop industry's collaboration models are evolving. It's a complex dance of competing interests that could either create something special or become a logistical nightmare.

For global fans, this offers a different kind of narrative. Those who supported specific trainees during "Boys Planet" get a potential "reunion story." Contestants who might have struggled for individual recognition could find strength in numbers.

The Complexity Behind the Scenes

But this isn't a simple reunion. With trainees from different agencies, the challenges multiply: profit distribution, scheduling coordination, branding decisions, and creative control. Unlike ZEROBASEONE, which operates under one management umbrella, this would require unprecedented cooperation between competing companies.

Then there's the timing factor. Ten months have passed since the show ended. Each agency has likely developed separate plans for their trainees. Fan attention may have shifted elsewhere. The window of opportunity from the original show's momentum is narrowing.

Testing New Waters

Yet if this experiment succeeds, it could reshape how the industry thinks about survival shows. Instead of being one-time events that create single groups, these programs could become ongoing content platforms that generate multiple opportunities.

This model could also offer a solution to one of K-Pop's persistent challenges: what to do with talented trainees who don't make it into the "winning" group. Rather than disappearing into obscurity, they get second chances through strategic regrouping.

The global K-Pop market has shown appetite for diverse stories and underdog narratives. A spin-off group could tap into that sentiment, especially if marketed as a "second chance" story rather than a consolation prize.