The survival competition BOYS II PLANET K has reached its first major turning point. In just two episodes, Mnet has eliminated 17 of the 80 contestants. Episode two, which aired on July 24, featured the crucial Signal Song Test and the resulting rankings that sealed their fate.
Originally designed as two separate shows: BOYS II PLANET K and BOYS II PLANET C, these programs are now set to merge into one final series. This shift means that rather than debuting two groups, only one will emerge in the end. The merge is scheduled to take place next Thursday, combining the narratives and contestants from both programs.
What the Signal Song Test Involved
During the Signal Song Test, each contestant was ranked in one of four tiers. These were ALL STAR, TWO STAR, ONE STAR, and NO STAR. Anyone who received NO STAR was immediately eliminated from the competition.
The rankings were a blend of expert opinions and fan engagement. Celebrity mentors determined 70 per cent of the score, while the remaining 30 per cent came from views and likes on each trainee’s performance clip on YouTube and the Mnet Plus app. Videos were monitored from June 13 at six p.m. to June 15 at ten a.m. Korean Standard Time.
This system underscores both performance ability and early reaction from fans. Here are the results.
ALL STAR Group: Top Performers
These trainees earned the highest ranking and remain in the competition:
- Hsu Ching Yu
- Jo Gye Hyeon
- Jung Hyun Jun
- Kim Geon Wo
- Kim In Hu
- Kim Jun Min
- Kim Jun Seo
- Kim Si Hwan
- Kim Tae Jo
- Lee Leo
- Lee Sang Won
- Na Yun Seo
- Noh Hui Jun
- Park Dong Gyu
- Seo Won
- Yoo Kang Min
- Yoon Min
- Yumeki
These names represent a strong mix of early favourites, global appeal, and mentor admiration.
BOYS II PLANET Episode 2 All-Star Top Performers (Credits: Soompi)
TWO STAR and ONE STAR Rankings
Next tier performers received TWO STAR status. They still move forward, but with more pressure to prove their potential:
- Andrew
- Aoshi
- Han Harry June
- Jang Tae Yoon
- Kim Dong Yun
- Lee Dong Heon
- Masato
- Muhn Won Jun
- Oh Jun Ho
- Park Jun Il
- Reeonn
- Tatsuki
- Yang Heui Chan
- Yeom Ye Chan
- Yusen
BOYS II PLANET Episode 2 Two Star Top Performers (Credits: Soompi)
ONE STAR contestants also remain but face the prospect of needing stronger support:
- Arctic
- Bang Jun Hyuk
- Chuei Li Yu
- Chung Sang Hyeon
- Ham Hyun Seo
- Jang Han Eum
- Jun Lee Jeong
- Kang Woo Jin
- Kim Daniel
- Kim Dong Hyun (A and B)
- Kim Hyun Seo
- Kim Jae Hyun
- Kim Young Jun
- Rensho
- Sho
- Song Min Jae
- Yang Da Wit
BOYS II PLANET Episode 2 One Star Top Performers (Credits: Soompi)
Who Is Out? The NO STAR List
Eliminated from the show after the test, these seventeen trainees exit the competition:
- Choi Jun Seok
- Chris
- Heo Ji O
- Hwang Sun Woo
- Justin
- Kenshiro
- Kim Hyun Bin
- Lee Hyeop
- Lee Won Woo
- Lee Yoon Chan
- Park Jun Seong
- Pun
- Ryan
- Shin Jae Ha
- Shoya
- Taichi
- Tomoya
At least for now, their journey ends here, though fans may look to support them in other ways or anticipate a future return.
Boys II Planet (Credits: Mnet)
Global Voting Rankings Take Shape
Alongside the rankings based on performance, initial global vote standings were released. As of July 24 at noon KST, the top positions went to:
- Lee Sang Won
- Lee Leo
- Yoo Kang Min
- Chuei Li Yu
- Kang Woo Jin
- Chung Sang Hyeon
- Masato
- Kim Jun Seo
- Kim Geon Wo
- Hsu Ching Yu
- Yumeki
- Seo Won
Following closely were Lee Hyeop, Park Dong Gyu, Yeom Ye Chan, Park Jun Il, Jang Han Eum, Kim Jae Hyun, Na Yun Seo, Jo Gye Hyeon, Kim Jun Min, and Kim Dong Yun, among others.
Global voting continues via the Mnet Plus app. Fans looking to support their favourites should check the app often to cast votes before each new elimination round.
Format Shift: How K and C Will Combine
Though BOYS II PLANET K and BOYS II PLANET C began separately, Mnet has confirmed they will merge into one unified program starting next week. That means members from both sides will face one another as the contest narrows toward a final debut group.
This merger brings higher stakes and encourages fan groups to engage across both branches. Whether a contestant rose through K or C, all will compete in a shared final stage.
BOYS II PLANET’s second episode delivers a clear impact, seventeen hopefuls eliminated, dozens repositioned, and global fandom watching closely. With the social voting system and the upcoming merger of the K and C tracks, expectations rise.
Early rankings suggest some contestants are cementing fan support early on. But with so many talented individuals, there is bound to be dramatic comeouts and surprises moving forward.
As the program continues, global audiences can track rankings and submit votes in hopes of helping their favourite trainees make the final boy group.
Stay tuned next Thursday when the two shows become one. That will be a turning point for both trainees and fans alike as the search for the debut group continues.
The highly anticipated film adaptation Omniscient Reader: The Prophet has finally hit the big screen, but reactions from fans and new viewers couldn’t be more different. While the production has garnered buzz for its striking visuals and high-profile cast, longtime readers of the web novel are voicing concern over the film’s tone and narrative direction.
Based on the popular web novel Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint by Sing N Song, the movie was expected to bring a fresh twist to the fantasy genre. With a budget of 30 billion KRW and an ambitious premise that blends reality with fiction, expectations were understandably high.
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet (Credits: Lotte Entertainment)
Ahn Hyo-seop’s Take on Kim Dok-ja Raises Eyebrows
In the film, Ahn Hyo-seop plays Kim Dok-ja, a regular office worker whose world is turned upside down when the novel he’s been reading suddenly becomes his reality. As the events of the book unfold in the real world, Dok-ja realises that he’s the only one who knows how the story will end.
While Ahn Hyo-seop is known for his ability to portray complex characters, some fans feel his interpretation of Dok-ja lacks the depth they imagined from the novel. His subdued performance has sparked mixed responses. Some praised the emotional restraint he brought to the role, while others called it a missed opportunity to dig deeper into Dok-ja’s inner conflict.
Still, his transformation throughout the film keeps audiences curious. His chemistry with the supporting cast, especially in tense moments, adds a layer of urgency that keeps the plot moving forward.
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet (Credits: Lotte Entertainment)
Lee Min-ho’s Yoo Joong-hyuk Dominates the Screen
Stealing much of the attention is Lee Min-ho as Yoo Joong-hyuk, the original protagonist of the novel within the story. Charismatic and commanding, his portrayal has impressed viewers unfamiliar with the source material. His intense presence and well-choreographed action scenes have become a major highlight of the film.
Fans of Lee Min-ho are celebrating his return to a more action-heavy role, as he navigates a complex dynamic with Dok-ja, who knows every twist in Joong-hyuk’s life before it happens. The tension between the two characters forms the emotional core of the movie.
However, some readers have taken issue with the film’s portrayal of Joong-hyuk, arguing that his character arc was rushed or watered down for cinematic convenience.
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet (Credits: Lotte Entertainment)
The Story’s Pacing Feels Compressed but Visually Striking
Given the novel’s sprawling narrative and rich worldbuilding, adapting it into a two-hour film was bound to come with challenges. The movie focuses primarily on the early chapters of the web novel, choosing spectacle over introspection.
For casual viewers, the fast pacing and impressive CGI sequences may be enough to maintain interest. But readers familiar with the subtle character moments and intricate plot layers may feel something has been left behind.
The world-ending scenarios, fantastical creatures, and survival game-like setting deliver the visual thrills many hoped for. Yet, some plot developments feel hurried, especially when the story shifts between reality and fiction without much breathing room.
Fan Reactions: A Divide Between Viewers and Readers
Reactions to the movie have been sharply divided. Viewers unfamiliar with the web novel generally describe the movie as engaging and original. They’re particularly impressed by the scale of the production and its cinematic execution.
In contrast, web novel fans are voicing disappointment over the lack of nuance in character development and the simplified plotline. Many believe the film skimmed over important arcs and emotional beats that made the original story resonate.
Social media is flooded with comparisons, meme reactions, and breakdowns of scenes that were either omitted or reimagined. While some fans are hopeful about a sequel that could expand on the storyline, others feel the adaptation missed the essence of what made the web novel special.
Omniscient Reader: The Prophet (Credits: Lotte Entertainment)
Potential for a Franchise?
Despite the polarised feedback, Omniscient Reader: The Prophet has already sparked discussions about sequels or a possible drama adaptation. Given its box office traction and global fanbase, producers may be eyeing a broader franchise.
If future instalments are planned, fans are hoping for a more faithful expansion of the world and a deeper dive into Dok-ja’s character evolution. The first movie may have laid the groundwork, but there’s still a vast universe left to explore if given the time and space.
Origin of the Story: A Web Novel with a Massive Following
Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint began as a serialised web novel on Munpia in 2018 and later gained international attention through webtoon adaptations. Its unique narrative—where the reader becomes part of the story resonated deeply with fans of the fantasy and action genre.
The novel is known for its intricate storytelling, character depth, and philosophical undertones. As one of the top-ranking Korean web novels of its time, it built a global readership eager to see it adapted for the screen. However, the pressure to condense such a layered story into a single film was always going to be intense.
