Where Are They Now? Here’s What The Runner-Ups From “Produce 101 Season 2” Are Doing 6 Years Later
In 2017, netizens were thrilled that the successful trainee survival show Produce 101 would return for a new season. While the first season created a girl group, the second casted 101 male trainees hoping to make their debut.
Eventually, the show narrowed the choices to the top eleven, who would debut in WANNA ONE. Many talented trainees, unfortunately, did not debut with the group but continued their efforts in the industry!
Here’s what the top 19 runner-up contestants have been doing since the finale on June 16, 2017!
1. Kim Taedong #30
Taedong ended the show ranked number 30. The idol was first set to debut with pre-debut group DIDONGDAE, even releasing a pre-single.
In March 2021, Taedong officially debuted with the group OMEGA X. Following the abuse allegations towards SPIRE Entertainment‘s CEO, the group has been running self-sufficiently and plans to open their own company.
2. Kim Donghan #29
After the show, Donghan first made his debut with the project group JBJ, as well as releasing two solo albums.
In 2020, he made his debut as a member of the group WEi, and has been promoting with them since.
3. Kim Donghyun #28
Donghyun was one of four trainees from Brand New Music to appear on the show.
He and another eliminated trainee, Lim Youngmin, formed the duo MXM before making their debut as members of AB6IX alongside four other trainees.
4. Jang Moonbok #27
Jang Moon Bok (also known as JMVOK) was a fan-favorite trainee known for his long and luxurious hair.
After the show, he debuted as a solo artist with the single “Hiphop President.” Moon Bok is also a member of the group LIMITLESS and has remained active on Instagram and YouTube.
5. Kim Sanggyun #26
Kim Sanggyun (also known as A-TOM) entered the show as a former member of the group TOPP DOGG (later changed to XENO-T).
After the show, he made his debut first as a member of JBJ, then in the group’s subunit, JBJ95(now known as KENTA SANGGYUN), alongside Takada Kenta. The duo are currently active in Japan.
6. Roh Taehyun #25
Roh Taehyun entered the competition as a member of HOTSHOT.
After the show, he debuted as a member of JBJ and released his first solo album, Birthday, after the group’s disbandment. Since then, he has also appeared in a musical and joined the dance program Street Man Fighter as part of the Mbitious crew.
7. Kenta Takada #24
Kenta Takada entered the competition as a trainee under Star Road Entertainment.
After the show, he made his debut first as a member of JBJ, then in the group’s subunit, JBJ95(now known as KENTA SANGGYUN), alongside Kim Sanggyun.
8. Lee Euiwoong #23
Lee Euiwoong (also known as LEW) entered the competition as a trainee under Yuehua.
Following his elimination, he debuted in a duo alongside Ahn Hyeongseop. In March 2022, he made his official debut as a member of TEMPEST.
9. Kwon Hyunbin #22
Kwon Hyunbin (also known as VIINI) represented YGK+ Entertainment as a trainee.
After the show, he debuted as a member of JBJ, and after the group’s disbandment, signed a contract with YG Entertainment. He is now active as a solo artist, having released his most recent album, Moon & Butterfly, in 2020.
10. Jin Longguo #21
Jin Longguo (also known as Kim Yongguk) entered the competition as a trainee under Choon Entertainment.
Following the show, he joined JBJ and, after its disbandment, made his debut as a solo artist. While updates have been sparse, the star recently shared a singing performance on his Weibo account.
11. Choi Minki #20
Choi Minki (also known as Ren) entered the completion as a member of NU’EST.
NU’EST saw a huge surge in popularity after the show and promoted together until their disbandment in 2022. Ren recently released his first solo album, Ren’dezvous.
12. Ju Haknyeon #19
Ju Haknyeon entered the completion as a trainee under Cre.Ker Entertainment.
After his elimination, Ju Haknyeon was announced to be a member of THE BOYZ, and has promoted with the group since.
13. Kim Samuel #18
Kim Samuel entered the completion as a trainee under Brave Entertainment.
Following his elimination, he released a solo album titled Sixteen. Samuel departed from Brave Entertainment after winning a legal battle in 2021, and has kept fans updated with dance covers on his Instagram account.
14. Yoo Seonho #17
Yoo Seonho joined the competition as a trainee under Cube Entertainment.
After making his solo debut, the idol focused more on acting, appearing in dramas like Under The Queen’s Umbrella. He is currently a cast member on the variety show 2 Days, 1 Night.
15. Ahn Hyeong Seop #16
Ahn Hyeong Seop joined the competition as a trainee under Yuehua.
Following his elimination from the show, he debuted in a duo alongside Lee Euiwoong. In March 2022, he made his official debut as a member of TEMPEST.
16. Lim Youngmin #15
Lim Youngmin joined the competition as a trainee under Brand New Music.
After the show, he first debuted as a member of the duo MXM with Kim Donghyun, and as a member of the project group YDPP. Youngmin later debuted as the leader of AB6IX before leaving the group in 2020 after a DUI.
17. Kim Jonghyeon #14
Kim Jonghyeon (also known as JR) entered the competition as a member of NU’EST.
After his elimination, he returned to NU’EST, who they promoted as NU’EST W during Minhyun‘s activities with WANNA ONE. Following the group’s disbandment, he debuted as a solo artist with the album Meridiem.
18. Kang Dongho #13
Kang Dongho (also known as Baekho) joined the competition as a member of NU’EST.
Following his elimination, he returned to NU’EST and promoted with the group until their disbandment. Baekho made his solo debut with the album Absolute Zero in October 2022.
19. Jeong Sewoon #12
Jeong Sewoon joined the competition as a trainee under Starship Entertainment.
After narrowly missing making the group, Jeong Sewoon debuted as a member of the project group YDPP. Since then, he has been active as a solo artist, appearing on variety shows like King of The Masked Singer and MC-ing the Netflix program 19/20.
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