Wait, we need to clear something up immediately before diving into the chaos of Mnet’s survival show history. If you are looking for Boys Planet Episode 13, you are technically looking for a ghost. The show officially concluded with Episode 12. In the world of K-pop survival shows, fans often search for that "missing" episode 13, hoping for a reunion special or a "where are they now" cut that usually lives on YouTube or social media clips rather than a full broadcast slot.
The finale of Boys Planet was a literal fever dream. People stayed up until 4:00 AM across different time zones just to see if their "one-pick" would make it into the final lineup of ZEROBASEONE (ZB1). It wasn't just a show; it was a high-stakes emotional investment that ended in tears, some of joy and a whole lot of "how did he not make it?"
Why the Boys Planet Finale felt like a different show
The atmosphere at the Jamsil Arena was thick. You could feel the humidity of the nerves through the screen. Unlike the previous episodes that relied heavily on "evil editing" or dramatic tension between trainees, the final broadcast was a raw, three-hour marathon of suspense.
Zhang Hao making history was the headline. No one—honestly, probably not even Mnet—expected a G-Group trainee to take the P01 spot. For years, the "center" of these shows was traditionally a Korean trainee. When Zhang Hao’s name was called for the top spot, it shifted the entire paradigm of what a "global" group looks like. It wasn't just a win for him; it was a signal that the fan base was truly international and willing to put their votes where their mouths were.
Sung Han-bin, who had held the number one spot for basically the entire season, took P02. The grace he showed was incredible. You’ve got to wonder what goes through a person's head when they’ve been the "protagonist" for twelve weeks only to see the crown shift at the very last second. But that’s the beauty of the finale. It’s unpredictable.
The shockers that left fans reeling
Let’s talk about Keita and Jay Chang. If you were on Twitter (or X) that night, the timeline was a disaster zone. Both trainees were consistently high in talent and visibility. Seeing Keita fall out of the top 9 was a gut punch to fans who valued rap and stage presence. Jay, with his powerhouse vocals that literally carried the "Over Me" and "Love Me Right" performances, also missed the cut.
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This highlights the weird math of survival shows.
In the early stages, you have "filler votes." People vote for their favorite and then add whoever else they like. In the finale, it’s "one-pick" time. Your secondary favorites get dropped. This is why some trainees who seem popular suddenly vanish from the rankings. Their support was wide, but not deep enough to be someone’s only choice.
The birth of ZEROBASEONE (ZB1)
The final lineup—Zhang Hao, Sung Han-bin, Seok Matthew, Ricky, Gunwook, Taerae, Gyuvin, Jiwoong, and Yujin—is a powerhouse. But the road to get there was messy.
Seok Matthew’s trajectory was a rollercoaster. He went from the "Sungkuma" bromance edit to being the center of a massive controversy regarding his rank fluctuations. By the time the finale rolled around, his P03 finish was a massive "I told you so" to the doubters.
Then you have Ricky.
The "Young and Rich, Tall and Handsome" king.
He was the dark horse.
He didn't get nearly as much screen time as the others, yet his individual fandom was a silent juggernaut. When he was called for P04, the look on his face was pure, unadulterated shock. It was one of the few moments that felt truly unscripted in a genre that often feels overly produced.
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Breaking down the performances
The final mission songs, "Jelly Pop" and "Hot Summer," were catchy, sure. But were they the best of the season? Probably not. "Say My Name" still holds the title for the most iconic Boys Planet track for many.
However, seeing the 18 finalists perform "Not Alone" was the actual highlight. It’s that classic, sentimental K-pop ballad designed to make you cry while thinking about how much the trainees have grown. Even if you weren't a hardcore fan, seeing the eliminated trainees in the audience cheering for their friends made it hard not to get a bit choked up.
What happened to the trainees who didn't make it?
This is where the unofficial "Episode 13" happens in real life. Life doesn't end at the Mnet stage.
- EVNNE: This was the best consolation prize fans could have asked for. Comprising Park Han-bin, Lee Jeong-hyeon, Mun Jung-hyun, Park Ji-hoo, Yoo Seung-eon, Ji Yun-seo, and Keita, this group proved that the talent pool was deep. Their debut wasn't just a "thank you" to fans; it was a statement that they were ready.
- Jay Chang: He didn't let the loss slow him down. He went on to debut as a soloist and eventually joined the group ONE PACT, alongside other familiar faces like Jongwoo. He also participated in Build Up, proving his vocal cords are made of steel.
- TOZ: Anthonny, Haruto, Yuto, and Takuto formed this group, targeting the Japanese market. It’s a smart move. They had a huge built-in fan base there.
The reality is that Boys Planet acted as a massive audition for the entire industry, not just for the final nine.
Analyzing the "Global" in Global Boys
Mnet really pushed the "K-Group vs. G-Group" narrative hard. In the end, the ratio was 7 Korean members and 2 Chinese members (plus Seok Matthew, who is Korean-Canadian). While the "global" aspect was heavily marketed, the final lineup still skewed heavily toward the domestic market's preferences, with the exception of the massive support for the "G-3" (Zhang Hao, Matthew, Ricky).
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The voting system changed multiple times, which kept everyone on their toes. The 50/50 split between Korean and Global votes meant that a single Korean vote was often worth significantly more than a dozen international votes due to the smaller pool of voters in Korea. This is a common point of contention. Fans in the US, Europe, and SE Asia often felt their efforts were being diluted.
The impact on the 5th generation
ZB1 is often cited as the group that kicked off the "5th Generation" of K-pop. Whether you agree with the generation labels or not, their debut numbers were insane. Over a million pre-orders for a debut album? That's unheard of for a group that hadn't even released a single song yet. It proved that the "survival show to superstar" pipeline is still very much alive and well, despite people saying they were "bored" of the format.
Final takeaways for fans and viewers
If you're still looking for a literal Episode 13 of Boys Planet, you should check out the "ZB1 TV" content or their debut reality shows like Camp ZEROBASEONE. That’s where the story actually continues.
The most important thing to remember about this season is that rankings are temporary, but the "fan-idol" relationship built during those twelve weeks is permanent. Many of the trainees who didn't make the top 9 are now more successful than winners of previous, less popular shows.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Follow the "By-product" Groups: If your favorite didn't make ZB1, check out EVNNE, ONE PACT, TIOT, or TOZ. They are active and releasing great music.
- Support Solo Careers: Keep an eye on the social media accounts of trainees like Wang Zihao (Le'v) and Jay Chang, who are building impressive solo discographies.
- Re-watch the "Star Level Tests": If you want to see how much the ZB1 members have actually improved, go back to Episode 1. The growth in confidence, especially for someone like Gunwook or Yujin, is staggering when viewed in hindsight.
- Stay Informed on Contracts: Remember that ZB1 is a project group with a 2.5-year contract. The clock is ticking, so enjoy the content while it’s here.
The "Episode 13" of any survival show isn't a broadcast; it's the career that follows. Whether it's the meteoric rise of ZB1 or the gritty re-debuts of the other contestants, the impact of Boys Planet is still being felt across the charts today.