If you’re refreshing your feed every five minutes waiting to find out when does Boys Planet 2 start, you aren't alone. The K-pop survival show cycle is relentless. We’ve seen the meteoric rise of ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) since the first season wrapped up, and naturally, the industry is itching for the next big thing. But here’s the reality: Mnet hasn't actually put a concrete date on the calendar yet. Honestly, it's a bit of a waiting game, but we can piece together the timeline based on how CJ ENM usually operates their massive audition machines.
K-pop survival shows aren't just TV; they're billion-won investments.
The Reality of the Mnet Schedule
Right now, the focus has been heavily shifted toward other projects. We just saw I-LAND 2: N/a create the group izna, and Planet B—a prequel project of sorts—is currently the main priority. If you're looking for a specific season, you have to look at the "Planet" series lineage. We had Girls Planet 999 in 2021, followed by Boys Planet in 2023. If Mnet sticks to this biennial gender-swapping rhythm, 2025 is the year for a female-focused "Planet" show, making a direct Boys Planet 2 likely a 2026 endeavor.
However, rumors are swirling that Mnet might consolidate their branding. They've been using the "Planet B" name for their most recent global recruitment drive. It’s basically a talent scout phase. They are looking for boys born before 2011. That's a huge age range. It means the trainees they are gathering now will likely be the faces we see when the cameras finally start rolling for the next male-centric season.
Why the Delay Actually Benefits the Trainees
Waiting sucks. We get it. But think about the market saturation. ZB1 is still incredibly active and dominant. Launching Boys Planet 2 too early would effectively force the new group to compete with their seniors for the same fan dollars and "Star Creator" attention. Mnet knows this. They want to maximize the "shelf life" of their current groups before throwing a new batch of 98 trainees into the furnace.
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Also, the production quality of these shows has skyrocketed. They aren't just filming in a basement anymore. The sets for the "Signal Song" performances are massive engineering feats. Coordinating 100+ trainees from around the world—dealing with visas, housing, and intensive dance training—takes months of lead time. If recruitment for Planet B is happening now, we are looking at a lengthy period of training before a single episode airs.
Comparing Past Timelines
- Girls Planet 999 announced: January 2021 -> Aired: August 2021.
- Boys Planet announced: December 2021 -> Aired: February 2023.
Notice the gap? The male version took significantly longer to get off the ground. This suggests that for Boys Planet 2, the "announcement to air" pipeline could be over a year. If they officially announce the title in late 2025, a premiere in early 2026 fits the pattern perfectly.
What to Expect from the Global Casting
The "Global" in these shows isn't just a marketing buzzword. It's a necessity. The pool of talent in South Korea is deep, but the "Planet" brand thrives on the friction and chemistry between different cultures. In the first season, we saw the G-Group (Global) and K-Group (Korean) rivalry drive the narrative.
Expect the next season to double down on Southeast Asian and Western talent. We've seen a massive surge in trainees from Thailand, Japan, and the US. These contestants bring built-in international fanbases, which is exactly what a group needs to survive in the post-BTS landscape. If you're wondering when does Boys Planet 2 start because you're a potential applicant, you should be polishing your dance covers and vocal reels right now. The scouting team is already watching social media.
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The "Planet B" Confusion
Let's clear this up because it's confusing everyone on Twitter. Planet B is essentially the feeder program. It’s a pre-show. It’s a way for Mnet to test the waters with a smaller group of boys before committing to the full-scale "Planet" production. Some fans think Planet B is the second season. It’s not. It’s the prologue.
Think of it like a soft launch. They want to see who goes viral before they invest in the high-budget "Planet" branding. If Planet B does well, the transition into Boys Planet 2 will be seamless. If it flops, they might rebrand entirely. Mnet is nothing if not experimental with their survival show formats. They’ve done Produce 101, Girls Planet, Boys Planet, Build Up, and I-LAND. They pivot when the ratings tell them to.
Breaking Down the Audition Requirements
If you're tracking the start date because you want to audition, pay attention to the fine print. Usually, they require:
- No affiliation with another survival show under a current contract.
- Ability to travel to South Korea for long-term filming (usually 3-6 months).
- A specific age bracket (typically 13 to 25).
The scouting for the next male project has already been publicized through various CJ ENM channels. They are looking for "individual" trainees—those not currently signed to major labels like SM, Hybe, or JYP. This is the "Cinderella story" angle they love to film.
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The Star Creator Factor
The most important part of when does Boys Planet 2 start is actually the voting system. After the voting scandals of the Produce era, Mnet went to great lengths to use third-party auditors like Samil PwC. This adds a layer of bureaucracy to the production. They can't just wing it. The tech behind the "Mnet Plus" app has to be ready to handle millions of simultaneous users from 180+ countries.
Whenever the show starts, expect the voting to be weighted. Usually, it's 50% Korean votes and 50% International votes. This keeps the "national" feel of the group while ensuring global sales. It’s a delicate balance that requires a lot of backend prep.
How to Stay Ready for the Announcement
Don't just wait for a random TikTok to tell you the date. Keep an eye on the official Mnet M2 and Mnet Plus social accounts. They usually drop "Coming Soon" teasers at major award shows like MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards). If MAMA 2025 passes without a teaser, then we are definitely looking at a much later date.
Historically, January or February is a favorite launch window. It allows the show to run through the spring and debut the group in the summer—the prime time for K-pop festivals and world tours.
What to do now
- Follow the scouts: Check the "Mnet Planet" official accounts daily.
- Watch the spin-offs: Shows like Planet B will give you the first look at the potential contestants.
- Save your money: If you plan on supporting a "pick," the voting apps and eventual debut albums aren't cheap.
- Monitor ZB1's contract: Their contract length will often dictate when the next "replacement" group needs to be ready to hit the market.
The road to when does Boys Planet 2 start is paved with rumors, but the most solid evidence points toward a slow burn. Mnet isn't in a rush to kill the golden goose of their current successful groups. Stay patient, keep practicing those fan chants, and watch the Planet B developments closely, as that is where the real story begins. Prepare for a mid-2026 debut at the earliest if the biennial pattern holds firm.