Starship's New Ambition: An In-Depth Look at Boy Group IDID

Get ready, K-pop fans! Starship Entertainment, home to MONSTA X and IVE, is launching its first boy group in five years. Meet IDID!

1. Introducing IDID: Group Profile & Starship Context

Let's get the basics down. The group's name is IDID (아이딧), a name chosen to embody the ambition to achieve anything through effort – the idea that eventually, they'll be able to say, "I did it." They are an 8-member group under Starship Entertainment, specifically managed by Division 3. The lineup consists of Kim Min-jae, Jang Yong-hoon, Baek Jun-hyuk, Park Won-bin, Chu Yoo-chan, Jeong Se-min, Park Jun-hwan, and Park Seong-hyeon. Their official debut is slated for the second half of 2025, distributed by Kakao Entertainment.

IDID holds a significant position within Starship as the agency's first new boy group in approximately five years, following CRAVITY's debut in 2020. This marks the longest interval between boy group debuts in Starship's history. Given the recent successes of IVE and KiiiKiii, there are high expectations that Starship's proven production system and know-how will be fully invested in IDID's launch and future.

2. The Formation: Inside 'Debut's Plan' Survival Show

The members of IDID weren't just selected behind closed doors; they were forged through Starship's self-produced survival audition program, 'Debut's Plan'. This show was more than just a selection process; it was designed to build the group's foundational identity and start cultivating a fanbase from the very beginning. Aired weekly from March to May 2025 on the 'NewKids on the STARSHIP' YouTube channel, the global project started with 33 trainees and culminated in the final 8 debut members.

Experienced mentors like K.Will, MONSTA X's Shownu, WJSN's Yeonjung, and renowned trainers Choi Young-jun and Kim In-kyu guided the trainees. The selection involved a unique mix: global fan votes (weighted progressively across three rounds) were combined with evaluations from Starship's board of directors. This hybrid approach aimed to balance fan preference with the agency's vision. Key elements included the program's theme song 'ImPerfect', unique promotions like a baseball stadium performance, and diverse missions testing vocals, dance, communication, and expressiveness – even including a youth drama production titled 'ImPerfect Game'.

3. Meet the Members: Kim Min-jae, Jang Yong-hoon, Baek Jun-hyuk

Let's meet the first three members confirmed through the final rankings of 'Debut's Plan'. Leading the pack at #1 is Kim Min-jae (born Aug 17, 2005). A former SM trainee with 3 years and 5 months at Starship, he's known as the "Hexagonal Talent" for his all-rounder skills in vocals, dance, and rap. He notably ranked #1 in the vocal weakness evaluation covering aespa's 'Girls'. Fans admire his solid skills, handsome visuals, and his chemistry with fellow member Jang Yong-hoon ('KimJjangz').

Securing the #2 spot is Jang Yong-hoon (born Apr 20, 2005). Standing tall at 183.8cm, this ENTJ trained for 2 years and 4 months at Starship. He was a consistent top ranker throughout the show, excelling in the dance strength evaluation (#3 individually, leading his team to #1) and showcasing acting chops as the lead in the 'ImPerfect Game' drama. His stable skills, leadership potential, and attractive visuals have earned him high popularity.

Debuting at #3 is Baek Jun-hyuk (born Jun 7, 2008). The youngest of this trio, he attends Hanlim Multi Art School. He brings extensive pre-debut training experience, having been a trainee at SM and JYP (passing their final audition) before his 3 years and 4 months at Starship. He performed well across evaluations, ranked #1 in the communication evaluation, and also acted in 'ImPerfect Game'. Known for solid dance skills and growing vocals, he offers a "cute youngest son" charm despite being the eldest in his family.

4. Meet the Members: Park Won-bin, Chu Yoo-chan, Jeong Se-min

Continuing the lineup reveal, Park Won-bin (born Apr 19, 2006) secured the #4 spot. A Starship trainee for over four years, he graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School. He gained attention early for his outstanding dance skills, often described as "light like a butterfly," and his signature bright smile. While his visuals and star quality earned him a solid fanbase, he unfortunately faced malicious online comments about his appearance and criticism over name similarity with another idol during the show. His delicate yet expressive performances make him a captivating dancer to watch.

Ranking #5 is Chu Yoo-chan (born Oct 3, 2006). Also a graduate of Incheon Performing Arts High School, he trained at Starship for over four years. He brings experience from previous training stints at Kakao Entertainment and Big Planet Made Entertainment before re-joining Starship. While specific standout moments from the show's evaluations weren't highlighted as much in the available summaries, his high final rank suggests strong performance in both fan votes and board evaluations. His potential likely stems from his diverse training background.

The sixth member, confirmed via the final Fan SAVE vote, is Jeong Se-min (born Oct 10, 2008). As one of the group's maknae line members attending Hanlim, this ESFP showed strong appeal to fans early on, even ranking #1 in an initial fan vote. He showcased his vocals covering ILLIT's 'Magnetic' (ranking 7th) but struggled slightly in the dance weakness evaluation. Despite fluctuating evaluation ranks, his consistent fandom support secured his debut spot. His charms lie in his cute 'maknae' appeal, strong fan communication, attractive vocal tone, and visuals that some compare to other popular idols.

5. Meet the Members: Park Jun-hwan, Park Seong-hyeon & Group Dynamics

The final two spots in IDID were filled via Board SAVE selections made by Starship's directors during the live finale. Joining as the 7th member is Park Jun-hwan (born Jan 1, 2007). With only about 5 months of training at Starship when profiled, he brought a unique background, having played youth baseball and gained modeling experience. Despite his shorter training time, he participated in various missions, including the communication and expressiveness evaluations. His selection via Board SAVE despite lower fan vote rankings sparked considerable debate among fans about the selection criteria and the weight of fan opinions. His charm is described as 'crispy outside, moist inside', highlighting potential hidden depths.

Completing the 8-member lineup is Park Seong-hyeon (born Oct 5, 2007), also selected via Board SAVE. He initially advanced to the final stage thanks to a 'Debut Super Pass' in the semi-finals. A fellow Hanlim student and former JYP trainee, he is expected to fill the rapper position within IDID, bringing rap and dance skills honed through previous training. His dramatic journey to debut, saved twice by non-fan-vote methods, adds another layer to the group's formation story.

This final lineup represents a blend: members propelled by strong fan votes and others strategically chosen by the agency. This mix of backgrounds, training durations (from 5 months to over 4 years), previous major agency experience, and selection methods creates interesting group dynamics. It also presents the challenge of managing diverse fan expectations and uniting the members and fandom after a controversial selection process. The synergy they create will be key to watch.

6. Why Watch IDID?: Key Appeal Factors & Debut Outlook

So, with their debut on the horizon, why should K-pop fans keep IDID on their radar? Several factors make them a group worth watching in the competitive market.

Their visual synergy is undeniable. Fan comments about them looking like they "walked out of a webtoon" highlight their striking, almost unrealistic group appearance, which could be a powerful tool for initial recognition, possibly part of Starship's strategy. They also boast a versatile talent pool, from all-rounder Kim Min-jae to strong dancers like Park Won-bin and Baek Jun-hyuk, potential vocal standouts, and Park Seong-hyeon expected to handle rap. Their formation through 'Debut's Plan' provides a compelling growth narrative – starting from 'ImPerfect' and striving towards 'IDID' ("I did it") – which can foster deep fan connection. Backed by Starship's reputation and systematic support (Division 3), they benefit from the agency's track record. Finally, their relative youth means infinite potential for growth and evolution as 5th generation idols.

Key Appeal Factors:

• Outstanding Group Visuals ('Webtoon' Concept)
• Diverse Talents (All-rounder, Dance, Vocal, Rap potential)
• Compelling Growth Narrative ('ImPerfect' to 'IDID')
• Starship Entertainment Backing & Reputation
• Youthful Energy & Long-Term Growth Potential

However, the controversies surrounding 'Debut's Plan' linger. While generating buzz, they also created division and criticism that IDID will need to address post-debut. If they can overcome these initial hurdles with strong music, skills, and united teamwork, their dramatic origin story could actually become a unique strength. Their debut will be a crucial test of whether they can harness their visual appeal and narrative while forging their own distinct musical identity.