Boy Fantasy “I hope to become an idol that is difficult to recruit at MBC”

MBC announced the creation of a global boy group following the girl group Classi, which debuted through 'After School Excitement'.

On the 30th, the production presentation of MBC's entertainment show ''Boys' Fantasy - After School Excitement Season 2' (hereinafter referred to as 'Boys' Fantasy') was broadcast live online. Max Changmin, Wooyoung, Jinyoung, Kang Seungyoon, Jeon Soyeon, CP Kang Youngsun, and PD Park Sanghyun attended the event.

‘Boy Fantasy’ is a boy group audition program presented by MBC about a year after the end of ‘After School Excitement’ last year. Unlike last season, it has been expanded into a global audition and will be broadcast in a total of 12 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. A fan concert with about 5,000 seats will be held at the Tokyo International Forum in Japan in July.

CP Kang Young-seon said, "After K-pop became established as a genre, competition seems to be getting more and more fierce. In order to survive as a global idol, success seems to be whether global fans have a solid support. This season 2 is the key to success. “We put a lot of emphasis on that,” he said. “With the concept of strengthening global partnerships and creating things together around the world, Naver and Line have also been added and are working together. We will work together to create global stars in various media such as overseas OTT and YouTube channels.” “We are doing our best,” he said.

We also attempted to make structural changes compared to Season 1. Producer Park Sang-hyun explained, "If season 1 was a system in which students competed and competed against each other in a grade-based system, and the winner debuted, this time, there are a total of 4 semesters, and we made it so that each semester, you have to overcome the hurdles of the producer in charge to debut." .

Currently, boy group survival programs such as ‘Boys Planet’ and ‘Peak Time’ are being broadcast. In response, CP Kang said, "I didn't know it would end up like this. It's been over a year since we planned and prepared this project from the beginning," and added, "I'm not worried because we started with a clear goal and confidence. Is there anything we can highlight as our unique point of difference and strength? “I am proud that our producer and MC are the strongest. We also did a lot of research and made up for many of our shortcomings in order to create an idol with a global fandom,” he said confidently.

Regarding the opinion that audition programs are boring, PD Park said, "Other broadcasting companies also hold a lot of auditions, and I think there is one reason. There are too many boys and girls who want to become idols. We have no choice but to introduce them to the public. Don't get bored." “For this reason, I prepared a lot of the composition with the writer all night long, so please check it on air.”

Regarding verification of participants, "We conducted personal interviews with the participants. With the consent of the participants, we thoroughly verified all their social media posts or comments. Although we cannot access the public authority or warrants of investigative agencies, we are thorough until we do so. “We paid a lot of attention to verification,” he said.

Max Changmin, who appeared as an MC, said, "The biggest difference from when I debuted is that the number of people dreaming of becoming idols has increased significantly, and it seems like we're living in an era where people can receive quality education at any time. As an old guy, I'm very envious. As a result, many of my friends are great artists. “I think there are a lot of people who are pretty, good-looking, and talented, probably because I dreamed of becoming a .”

Regarding what he thinks is important for working as an idol for a long time, Max Changmin said, "I think it's communication and rapport with the fans," and "I think the bond that connects them as one is important. When I see them doing their best for their fans, it's like a family. “Because it is the fans who provide the same support, the role of fantasy makers who encourage and support will likely play an important role in the program,” he said.

The four producers are 2PM's Wooyoung and Jinyoung, Winner's Kang Seungyoon, and (G)I-DLE's Soyeon. Jeon So-yeon, who joined Season 2 following Season 1, said, "I think the difference from last season is that there are friends with more diverse characters than in Season 1. Since I've never produced a boy group before, I was worried about what I could give them. “However, because we all have the same mindset when preparing for the group, we teach passionately with that passion,” he said.

Jeon So-yeon, who predicted an honest evaluation this season as well, said, "When I first auditioned, I thought there were friends who were really good, but there were also friends who were really bad. But as filming continued, I thought, 'Wasn't this friend bad at that time?' “It was amazing that there were many friends who were as talented as I thought,” he said.

Wooyoung said about the important attitude as an idol, "I think it's a way to take good care of yourself. Knowing how to look at yourself, whether you're doing what you want, where you are, why you're doing this, and knowing how to take care of yourself. “I think being a person is the most important thing,” he explained.

PD Park requested attention, saying, “The 54 participants are really good-looking.” Regarding the 12-member boy group that will eventually debut, CP Kang expressed his hope, "I hope they become idols that MBC will find difficult to recruit."

'Boy's Fantasy' can be watched on MBC, ABEMA, and Naver NOW. at 10 PM on the 30th.

Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr