It's that time again and Jang Haebyeol is here at your service providing you my own personal insight on the latest MGA news! Like the first season, this season must come to an end and it's a shame when the finalists have become familiar faces, their names buzzing from break rooms to classrooms. From the initial 40 down to 35 and then to 25 before the 20 finalists have brought us to the 15 winners now.
The winners are as follows:
✦ (Click their contestant number to see their journey from start to finish!)
#2000 ★★★★★ Ty Lee Kikwang
#2003 ★★★★★ Mark Tuan Yi-En
#2005 ★★★★★ Bang Minah
#2007 ★★★★★ Bang Yongguk
#2008 ★★★★★ Jung Joonyoung
#2012 ★★★★★ Park Chanyeol
#2013 ★★★★★ Lily Choi Jinri
#2015 ★★★★★ Byun Baekhyun
#2017 ★★★★★ Kim Myungsoo
#2020 ★★★★★ Rome Yu Barom
#2021 ★★★★★ JRoyal Kim Jonghyun
#2032 ★★★★★ Jung Hana
#2034 ★★★★★ Yoon Doojoon
#2036 ★★★★★ Alaska Park Sunyoung
#2037 ★★★★★ Park Sunyoung Luna Carter
As you can see, everyone has received a five star rating now that the seasons has finally come to a close! This is because I cannot ignore the decisions and choices of the CEOs. That being said, that does not mean I must agree with them so my top three surprising choices/placements of the night are listed below but that is among the winners.
✦ #2005 ★★★★★ Bang Minah
✦ #2020 ★★★★★ Rome Yu Barom
✦ #2021 ★★★★★ JRoyal Kim Jonghyun
Other than that, I will say to see Kasper-ssi and Jimin-ssi both go home without a contract was a stunning revelation. It was also a shame to see Jaebum-ssi go. Such young contestants with promise seem like a better choice for the CEOs and their companies if you ask me. Read on to find out my opinions on each winner and the company that has offered them a contract!
✦ (Please note that the above star rating will not be reflected on the yet to be updated contestants page!)
✦ ✦ (The critique following this shall once again be biased and this was used as reference for the following commentary!)
Are you ready to put on those rose-colored glasses? Here we go!
#2000 Ty Lee Kikwang ★★★★★
Offer from: TRC Entertainment
If Tiger JK-sajangnim were to pass up the LA choreographer one more time, I'd say it's the end on both sides but he offered the contract after surprising news from So Jisub-sajangnim. I must say I have no words on this situation except that this winner must be going through an image cleaning after signing the contract and it's safe to say he will be signing. Given the clean image of Royal and how Jisub-sajangnim has strict guidelines (from what netizens can tell) when it comes to protecting his company's image, despite mentioning that Kikwang-ssi passed over an opportunity to audition privately, I think he should be relieved. Kikwang-ssi suits the freedom presumably given to TRC trainees following a certain time period after debut. Let's hope he can clean up his image like Zico seems to have since he turned down his offer in Season 1.
#2003 Mark Tuan Yi-En ★★★★★
Offer from: KT Entertainment
At first, I was skeptical about this decision but taking the history of the company into consideration and the type of artists they promote, this is surprisingly one of the best matches made tonight. With a cute face and incredible dancing skills with a strong potential in rap, it makes sense that Miss Katie Lee would scoop up this English speaker for her company. He's certainly going to appeal to the large international following of the company.
#2005 Bang Minah ★★★★★
Offer from: Royal Entertainment
The first of the most il-suiting placements in my opinion, similar to how I mentioned Jisub-sajangnim's relieved state on passing on a potentially controversial trainee such as Kikwang-ssi, it's astounding that he would take on Bang Minah-ssi. With his current public trainees going through a few small scandals, nothing too note-worthy now but kindling for what will undoubtedly be a large fire to extinguish should debut occur, you'd expect the CEO to take on someone less riddled with doubt and in my personal opinion, charisma. Whether or not Ms. Bang reaches debut or stays with Royal, we'll have to see.
#2007 Bang Yongguk ★★★★★
Offer from: Nova Entertainment
An odd placement although not one of my top three, chances are that Yongguk-ssi is indeed following in Zico-ssi's footsteps. With an offer from Nova and his original choice being TRC, there's been no confirmation or otherwise if he has signed the contract but my bet is that he has not. While it is easy to see why Nova would want Yongguk-ssi, I do not think the environment or company image suits him well.
#2008 Jung Joonyoung ★★★★★
Offer from: Sphere Entertainment
It's not surprising that Sphere offered both rockers of the competition a contract with Royal Pirates as one of their current artists. However, I've seen a rise among Royal Pirates fans that are wondering if Sphere plans to replace Royal Pirates with another up and coming band within KPOP. I would've liked to see another company attempt to sign either contestant. The same concept within one company can cause strife but it is comparatively a good placement and Joonyoung-ssi had a hilarious response. I admire his blunt but honest persona.
#2012 Park Chanyeol ★★★★★
Offer from: KT Entertainment
Firstly, this is not about Chanyeol-ssi but leading up to the results. I am extremely disappointed with the "suspenseful" ending of the MGAs Season 2. If we were supposed to be surprised that Chanyeol-ssi received a contract offer over Jaehwan-ssi, I don't think the producers see the same show I have been watching over these past exciting weeks. It would've been an upset to see Jaehwan-ssi win over Chanyeol-ssi and I mean no disrespect to the former but the latter has talent and stage presence. Overall, he has that "it" factor. The pair announced with their results was an upset as well. In terms of showcasing rapping talent, I'd say Chanyeol-ssi and Kasper-ssi are on par with each other when it comes to potential. The final results being between those two would've been much more exciting but enough about the process.
Moving on, while I was disappointed with the delivery, I was excited for Chanyeol-ssi. Another good placement, it's not surprising that Chanyeol-ssi was selected by Katie Lee-sajangnim but what is on my mind now is whether or not his full potential will be explored.
#2013 Lily Choi Jinri ★★★★★
Offer from: Sphere Entertainment
The judges spoke so pleasantly of Jinri-ssi and I've said a few times myself that she has the potential to be one of the nation's little sisters. That being said, the fact that her father works with MNET looms on my mind with Tiger JK-sajangnim's words. "The PDs think so too." I disagree with the (lack of) critique regarding Jinri-ssi's performance throughout the season but that shall be left for my commentary on JRoyal-ssi's results. I have no comment on whether or not Sphere was a good placement for her other than it seems like they are picking contestants of similar concepts and talents to artists they have. Joonyoung-ssi and Myungsoo-ssi for Royal Pirates. Doojoon-ssi and Rome-ssi for ChAOS, and now Jinri-ssi for She'z. My main question regarding Jinri-ssi is why Baek Jiyoung-sajangnim chose her despite saying "she's not the strongest performer in the group." The rest of the commentary rests on my mind like a double-edged sword.
#2015 Byun Baekhyun ★★★★★
Offer from: Nova Entertainment
One of the only confirmed new trainees from the MGAS (inferred from his sns updates and interview with SJ!), given how happy this winner seems, it's difficult to be displeased with the result and I for one am not. When it comes to energy, it makes sense for bubbly Baekhyun-ssi to be a supernova. I hope to see a lot out of this ball of energy in the future!
#2017 Kim Myungsoo ★★★★★
Offer from: Sphere Entertainment
Similar to Joonyoung-ssi, the offer from Sphere is easily understood in terms of his strengths but there is a versaility in Myungsoo-ssy that could've been better placed in either of his alleged dream companies. Although it is not where I would've placed him and I cannot easily imagine him there, it is not a horrible placement.
#2020 Rome Yu Barom ★★★★★
Offer from: Sphere Entertainment
My reasoning stems from the original comment of Hyunbin-sajangnim, the CEO of Nova which is coincidentally Rome-ssi's first choice. If all five were "thoroughly impressed," why is it that Sphere has been taking the majority of the large contenders in this season? It seems to me that the other companies have not had much of an interest in the contestants, most notably seen with Royal only making one offer to Minah-ssi of all the choices. The other reason I have chosen Rome-ssi as one of the most ill-placed contestants is his reaction to the news. We've seen him dominate the stage with confidence each round but his apology via his youtube accoun, bboybyu, shows us a shyer image of Rome. To see the contestant who promised us a 20/20 experience become meek in front of the camera raises a lot of questions. That being said, he is the only contestant confirmed to not sign his contract offer. It might not have been the best decision to publicize his decision but I admire the attempt.
#2021 JRoyal Kim Jonghyun ★★★★★
Offer from: KT Entertainment
When considering KT Entertainment and its friendly atmosphere, it's difficult to think of a current artist with the company that isn't as friendly and bubbly. That being said, it's difficult to picture JRoyal-ssi at the company so one has to wonder what Katie Lee-sajangnim was thinking. His variety of talents could've been the deciding factor given how KT artists typically have a wide range of talents, venturing into acting and MCing for certain artists but the commentary from the judges contradict the possibility of this happening. Having worked with this contestant in the past, I can tell you myself he does not seem like KT material and I question how he will fit in at the company and if Jinri-ssi so called "saved" JRoyal-ssi, why not place them together within a company? The idea itself that she brought out the best in him and saved his performance is an insult to JRoyal-ssi who I find shined better on his own.
#2032 Jung Hana ★★★★★
Offer from: TRC Entertainment
It is not surprising that Tiger JK-ssi picked up one of the female rappers from the competition but I was hoping to see more versatility in his choices. Jung Hana-ssi is a good start given her dancing skills and rapping abilities. I'm sure he appreciates any female rapper who can pull off one of his wife's songs but I do think he should've chosen some of the singers among the finalists. With the majority of the publicly known trainees within TRC being rappers, it's surprising that he did not aim for more dancers or singers this season as he did with Hayi-ssi last season.
#2034 Yoon Doojoon ★★★★★
Offer from: Sphere Entertainment
Another contestant receiving an offer from Sphere, the company was listed as Doojoon-ssi's dream company and he was one of the only contestants to be successfully matched through the competition. Whether or not he signed has yet to be confirmed. Seeing as it was his first choice company, I have no complaints but I do think a singer of his caliber could do well in Royal or TRC, which I'd like to personally see because I think TRC did not take a wide range this season whereas Royal's range with one chosen contestant was extremely narrow.
#2036 Alaska Park Sunyoung ★★★★★
Offer from: KT Entertainment
Congratulations to Alaska-ssi! Successful in making her return to KT, I have no complaints about this match and hope her the best. Hopefully, there are no hard feelings among the trainees she once knew about her return but by the comments on twitter including a rare one from fellow KT trainee Kim Taeyeon from season 1 who is rarely found on social media, that should be no problem for the twenty-one year old.
#2037 Park Sunyoung Luna Carter ★★★★★
Offer from: Sphere Entertainment
One of the few confirmed new trainees of Sphere (confirmed via her sns updates and fellow MGA contestant Jinri-ssi!), given Luna-ssi's reaction and updates regarding Sphere, I have no complaints about this match as well. My complaints from here on out refer more to the selections made.
On what was supposed to be an exciting night, there were various ups and downs, more so than a roller coaster and at the end of the day I am altogether not too pleased with the results. How a company did not sign Kasper is beyond my capacity and the choices of some of the CEOs baffles me too. Am I as pleased as I was last MGA season? No, but I'm always here to give you the latest news! Will you be keeping up with your favorite contestants from this season of MNET MGAs?
My surprise for you readers is that I've been keeping up with last season's contestants. Are you ready to find out what they've been up to?
( `/ walks out of the restaurant he's in, his eyes on his phone and his other hand holding the bag of takeout that he really shouldn't be eating but he doesn't care that much, not paying attention and slamming straight into the girl that's walking in and he almost drops his phone, fumbling and catching it last minute ) oh man, i am so sorry.
{` her reaction to everything comes quite late. She's was far too busy contemplating on what she should order, before she collides with a boy, whose voice brings back to reality. } Oh uh, I'm fine. You don't need to apologize, I should of payed more attention. { She inspects the boy for damage before she notices a liquid starting to pool inside of his bag; the sign of a spill. } Did I ruin your food? I'll be willing to pay for it, if it's completely inedible!
( `/ he chuckles, shrugging ) it’s my lack of milkshake in me talking — did the waitress come by yet? ( `/ grins, sitting normally in the booth now )
( * shakes his head, licking his lips ) are you sure it's healthy to drink as many milkshakes that you do? i'm surprised your blood hasn't, like, turned into gelatin or something. ( * laughs behind a closed fist, shaking his head again ) nope, she didn't come around yet! ( * stares at the menu for a minute then looks up again ) so, how've you been, hyung? how's everything and whatever?
( `/ walks in the fast food restaurant and literally plops himself down into the seat across from the other with a grin ) seems like you ordered some mark tuan today --
( * scratches the back of his neck and stares at the other, an eyebrow raising as mark plops down in the seat across from him — it’s replaced five seconds later by a smug grin and a shake of his head, a chuckle escaping his lips ) hyung… i don’t know how to respond to that. ( * clears throat and laughs more ) actually — that was pretty dumb, hyung.
( `/ walking and digging around in his pockets before he freezes, eyes widening and he glances around, freaking out ) where is it -- shit -- ( `/ patting down his pockets and looking for his wallet, feeling all of his pockets and grabbing at his jacket before he rushes over to the closest person ) yo, uh, have you, by chance, seen a black leather wallet?
( ` a hand is lifted to his mouth where a yawn is stifled. he stuffs his hands into his pockets and drags his feet slowly, meandering around on the sidewalk. he’s about to continue his step when he notices a wallet on the ground to his left and frowns when someone else seems to pick it up. howon figured it must belong to that person though and he continues with his movement, but is once again stopped when a voice calls out to him. ) huh? wallet? ( ` tilting his head, it means that the wallet must belong to this guy, so howon just points behind him. ) i saw someone picking up a black leather wallet back there. if you run, you might still be able to catch them.
