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If you followed the chaos of Mnet’s Boys II Planet last year, you know the name Chung Sanghyeon. He wasn't just another face in a sea of 160 trainees. He was the kid who seemingly came out of nowhere to snatch a debut spot, sparking one of the most intense "love-him-or-hate-him" debates in recent survival show history.
Honestly, the "Sanghyeon effect" is real. One minute he was a mid-tier trainee at WakeOne, and the next, he was the maknae of one of 2026's most anticipated rookie groups. But the road there? It was messy. Like, really messy. Between "evil edits," a heart-wrenching friendship split, and fans literally demanding he leave the group, Sanghyeon’s journey is a textbook case of how brutal the K-pop industry can be before you even step on a debut stage.
The Boys II Planet Rollercoaster: Who is Chung Sanghyeon?
Before the bright lights of the finale, Sanghyeon was just a 2007-liner with a dream. Born on September 19, 2007, he entered the show as a WakeOne trainee. He’s young—only 18 now—but he carries himself with a sort of intensity that often got him into trouble with the cameras.
Early on, he was mostly known for his "Gyuvin-esque" reactions. You've probably seen the memes. He’d be in the background of every major moment, mouth agape, giving the producers exactly the reaction shots they wanted. But as the competition narrowed down, the "Reaction King" label started to fade, replaced by something much more polarizing.
The "Evil Edit" and the Last Mission
During the final stretch of Boys II Planet, Sanghyeon’s momentum almost hit a brick wall. During the last mission, the editing focused heavily on his "intense" attitude toward his teammates. In the world of Mnet, "passionate" can look a lot like "aggressive" if the music is ominous enough.
K-netz were divided. Some saw a teenager buckling under the pressure of a life-altering debut; others saw someone who wasn't a "team player." It nearly killed his rank. If it weren't for a late-game surge from his domestic fanbase, we might be talking about him as a "what if" instead of an active idol.
The "Chuchuz" Heartbreak: Sanghyeon and Liyu
You can't talk about sang hyeon boys planet without talking about Liyu. If you were on Twitter (or X, whatever) during the finale, your timeline was probably a mess of "Chuchuz" content. This was the nickname given to the duo of Sanghyeon and FNC trainee Chuei Liyu.
The bond between these two was... something else. While Mnet tried to push other pairings, fans were busy spotting the small details.
- Sanghyeon kept a photo of them inside his phone case.
- They reportedly moved their beds in the dorms just to sleep side-by-side.
- Sanghyeon even gave Liyu his own rings before the final results were read.
When the finale hit and Sanghyeon made the cut but Liyu didn't, the scene was devastating. Live audience accounts say Sanghyeon broke down in tears and clung to Liyu for 15 minutes after the cameras stopped rolling. It’s the kind of genuine friendship that survival shows usually fake, but this felt raw. It felt heavy.
Why fans wanted him to leave
It sounds crazy, right? You win a spot in a global group and people tell you to quit. But that’s exactly what happened. Following the finale, a vocal segment of "Chuchuz" fans and solo stans were so upset that the duo was separated that they actually called for Sanghyeon to leave the lineup.
The logic was weirdly emotional—they felt he wouldn't be happy without Liyu. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed. Most fans realized that Sanghyeon had worked his tail off for this. Telling a kid to throw away a five-year contract because his best friend didn't make the cut isn't support; it's a parasocial nightmare.
Where is he now? Life in ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1)
Fast forward to January 2026, and the dust has finally settled. Sanghyeon is no longer "Trainee Chung Sanghyeon." He is officially the maknae of ALPHA DRIVE ONE (ALD1).
The group made their grand entrance on January 12, 2026, with their debut mini-album, EUPHORIA. It’s a high-octane, "full-throttle" concept that actually fits Sanghyeon’s sharp dance style perfectly. Alongside members like Sangwon, Anxin, and Geonwoo, he’s finally finding his footing outside the survival show lens.
The "Monster Rookie" Ambition
During their debut showcase at the Blue Square SOL Travel Hall, Sanghyeon didn't sound like the crying kid from the finale. He sounded like a pro. He mentioned that the team has been practicing "without a single day of rest" since the show ended in September.
He’s clearly aware of the "maknae" expectations but wants to be seen as a "monster rookie." Honestly, seeing him perform the title track "EUPHORIA," you can see the growth. The awkwardness from the show is gone. He’s leaner, his vocals are more stable, and he’s leaning into his role as the group’s secret weapon.
Why Sanghyeon’s Story Matters
We see these kids on screen and forget they’re basically in a pressure cooker. Sanghyeon’s journey from a "reaction meme" to a polarizing finalist, and finally to a debut member of ALD1, shows the weird psychology of these shows.
He survived a "bad edit." He survived the heartbreak of his best friend’s elimination. And he’s surviving the transition into a group where he’s the youngest. It’s a lot for an 18-year-old.
What you can do to support him
If you're still hung up on the Boys II Planet drama, it’s time to move on. Sanghyeon is clearly committed to ALD1. Here is how you can actually support his new path:
- Stream "EUPHORIA": Forget the survival show clips; look at the new choreography. His lines are actually pretty solid for a sub-vocalist.
- Stop the "Chuchuz" Grief: Liyu will likely debut elsewhere (rumors say FNC has big plans for him). Let Sanghyeon build chemistry with his new members, especially Leo, who he’s already getting close to.
- Watch the Vlogs: ALD1 has been dropping "Behind the Drive" content. You get to see a much more relaxed, funny version of Sanghyeon that Mnet never showed.
The reality is that sang hyeon boys planet was just the prologue. The real story started this week in Seoul. Whether he becomes the next big K-pop "It Boy" or just a solid performer, he’s already proven he has the grit to stay in the game.