Starship's New Boy Group Set to Debut with Drama 'ImPerfect Game'

Starship Entertainment, known for producing stars like Jang Wonyoung and An Yujin, is gearing up to debut a new boy group through a massive global project called 'Debut's Plan'. This project promises to showcase the birth of a complete idol with acting skills through the youth drama 'ImPerfect Game'.

On the night of the 13th, the 'NewKids on the Starship' YouTube channel released 'Debut's Plan: 〈ImPerfect Game〉 | NewKids Drama'. This featured the fourth plan, 'EXPRESSION Evaluation', where Miyata Haru, Park Wonbin, Baek Junhyuk, Seok Jun, Jang Kyuhyun, Jang Yonghoon, and Chu Yuchan, along with the entire NewKids team, participated in a casting audition for the drama 'ImPerfect Game'.

The drama 'ImPerfect Game' tells the heartfelt and inspiring story of Kang Hanil (played by Park Wonbin), Baek Hoon (played by Jang Yonghoon), and Song Woobin (played by Seok Jun), who were once inseparable friends and baseball team members. After a fallout that led to Kang Hanil's injury and his quitting baseball, they drift apart. However, they reunite with the goal of winning the national high school baseball tournament and grow by overcoming their imperfections.

Starship has collaborated with director Kang Min-gu of 'Itaewon Class' and writer Jung Soo-hyun, known for the sitcom 'Nonstop 5' and the drama 'Kick Kick Kick', to produce a high-quality youth drama that rivals existing K-dramas.

The NewKids members, including Park Wonbin, Seok Jun, Jang Yonghoon, Miyata Haru (as Otani Choi), Baek Junhyuk (as Nam Jaehyuk), Jang Kyuhyun (as Choi Sunho), and Chu Yuchan (as Seo Junki), delivered performances that could rival professional actors, enhancing the drama's immersion. Other cast members like Kim Minjae (as Goo Sungjun), Kim Jiyong (as Lee Sanghyun), and Park Junhwan (as Kwak Jihoon) also contributed to the drama's success.

The roles of the math teacher, played by Kim Ahyoung, and the physical education teacher, played by Eum Moonseok, added to the drama's high production value. Additionally, the NewKids' evaluation songs and specially produced OSTs like 'Battle Scar', 'Letter Diary', and 'As It Is in the Universe' further enhanced the drama's appeal.

Global K-pop fans have responded enthusiastically to the NewKids' performances, with comments praising the drama's quality and expressing excitement for the group's debut. Comments such as "Everything was perfect", "I didn't expect an audition program to produce a drama over an hour long", and "Idols who can act well too, can't wait for their debut" highlight the anticipation surrounding NewKids.

The upcoming 'EP.6 Episode', set to release on the 18th, will feature the fifth plan, 'TEAMWORK Evaluation', drawing attention as it showcases the NewKids' teamwork camp and their challenge in filming a team performance video.

The second round of voting for 'Debut's Plan' is open until 10 AM on the 17th on the official site. Fans can vote once per day for two NewKids members.

Lee Sojung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr