South Korean media outlet Hankook Ilbo determines whether "Girls Planet 999" debut group Kep1er is destined to succeed or not. Keep on reading for all the details.
"Girls Planet 999" aired their finale live on October 22. There, the final nine girls who will make their debut were determined. The lineup consists of Kim Chaehyun, Huening Bahiyyih, Choi Yujin, Kim Dayeon, Seo Yeongeun, Kang Yeseo, Ezaki Hikaru, Sakamoto Mashiro, and Shen Xiaoting.
This group, composed of members from South Korea, Japan, and China, will debut under the name Kep1er. The name was created by combining the word "Kep," meaning to catch your dreams, and the number one, meaning the nine girls will gather as one to become the best.
Kep1er plans to embark on global activities under the joint management of WAKEONE and Swing Entertainment for two years and six months. Although their official debut date is unknown, interest in the group continues to rise. The group's Twitter account, which was opened on October 22, has already surpassed 555,000 followers.
Why Kep1er May Succeed in the Future
It is undeniable that Kep1er has attracted global fans' attention. Since "Girls Planet 999" was announced, many have been interested in the program, as there were an equal amount of contestants from South Korea, China, and Japan. On YouTube, clips from the show raked in millions of views, and in the finale, 200,000 viewers flocked to Mnet's YouTube channel to watch the episode line.
In Japan, the number of viewers exceeded 5 million. From the first round to the show's finale, "Girls Planet 999" hit over 100 million votes from users in 170 regions.
ALSO READ: What is the Official Meaning of Kep1er & How Long Will the Group Be Active? Here Are More Details About 'Girls Planet 999' Top 9 Debut
Even if Kep1er makes their debut before or after this year's Mnet Asian Music Awards, the girl group is expected to begin their full-fledged activities early next year. As of the time of writing, JYP Entertainment, Source Music, and BELIFT Lab are confirmed to be debuting new girl groups in 2022. Hence, Kep1er is expected to jump into the fierce battle of rookie girl groups.
However, Kep1er's strength is evident. They are a global girl group with members from South Korea, China, and Japan, and their mix of cultures is their greatest weapon. Kep1er consists of five Koreans, two Japanese and one Chinese, so it is highly likely that they will stand out in the Asian market. Due to the nature of "Girls Planet 999," where viewers could vote for their favorite contestant, a strong bond had been built between the viewers and the idols even before their debut.
ALSO READ: Introducing Kep1er: These are the 'Girls Planet 999' Contestants Who Will Make Their Debut
Why Kep1er's Future is Uncertain
However, Kep1er's future is still shaky. The reason is due to the amount of backlash Huening Bahiyyih, who ranked at number two in the finale, receives.
After the final debut lineup was announced, many were divided over the addition of Huening Bahiyyih, who had remained out of the top nine until the finale. A national petition was even filed demanding Huening Bahiyyih not debut with the group. Considering the excessive hate towards one member and the rumors that the lineup was rigged, the future success of the girl group is uncertain.
ALSO READ: 'Girls Planet 999' Finale: Huening Bahiyyih Receives Criticism after Claiming 2nd Place in Lineup of Debuting Contestants
Therefore, Kep1er must overcome the negative public opinion towards Huening Bahiyyih. Additionally, "Girls Planet 999" had a relatively low audience rating in South Korea compared to the other survival program produced by Mnet.
Overcoming Huening Bahiyyih's negative hate and securing Kep1er's popularity are the ultimate tasks the members must accomplish to succeed. The success or failure of the group ultimately depends on each member's ability and the overall group synergy.
ALSO READ: Kep1er Huening Bahiyyih Cover Video Resurfaces + Receives Mixed Opinions for Her Vocal Ability
What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!
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Written by Alexa Lewis
