MODYSSEY Gears Up for SAY SAY MODYSSEY — Their First Variety Show Promises More Than Just Survival

The seven members of MODYSSEY are about to prove that their journey did not end with debut. Mnet has officially dropped the first trailer for SAY SAY MODYSSEY, a brand-new variety program set to premiere on March 20, and it promises to reveal an entirely different side of the group that fans have been eagerly waiting to see.

The trailer, released on Mnet official YouTube channel, teases a high-energy format packed with missions, entertainment challenges, and the kind of unscripted chemistry that reality TV thrives on. The tagline says it all: More intense than survival? The race for the K-pop scene begins again. For a group born out of one of the most competitive survival shows in recent memory, those are bold words — and MODYSSEY appears ready to back them up.

From Survival to Stardom: MODYSSEY Rapid Rise

MODYSSEY — consisting of Sun Hengyu, Fan Zeyi, Li Zhihao, Zhao Guangxu, Xue Shuren, Li Chen, and Anchaowit — was formed through Mnet Plus original survival program Planet C: Home Race, which aired its finale on December 27, 2025. The seven-member global boy group immediately captured attention not only for their talent but for their diverse backgrounds, with members hailing from China and Thailand alongside connections to Korean entertainment infrastructure.

The group formation came with significant industry backing. According to multiple Korean media reports, MODYSSEY signed with a newly established joint label co-founded by CJ ENM and NCC, the latter being a joint venture between JYP China and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME). This partnership places MODYSSEY at the intersection of Korean and Chinese entertainment markets — a strategic positioning that has only grown more significant as diplomatic and cultural exchanges between the two countries intensify.

Perhaps most intriguingly, reports have indicated that MODYSSEY debut track will be produced by 3RACHA, the producing unit of Stray Kids, further cementing the group connection to JYP Entertainment creative ecosystem. The involvement of one of K-pop most respected in-house production teams has generated considerable anticipation among fans who recognize the caliber of music that 3RACHA consistently delivers.

Why SAY SAY MODYSSEY Matters

Variety shows have long served as a crucial platform for newly debuted K-pop groups to build their public persona beyond the stage. Programs like this allow fans to see the members individual personalities, humor, and interpersonal dynamics in ways that music videos and performances simply cannot capture. For MODYSSEY, whose members were primarily introduced through the high-pressure environment of a survival show, SAY SAY MODYSSEY offers the chance to redefine how audiences perceive them.

The show will air simultaneously across multiple platforms, reflecting the group global ambitions. The first episode broadcasts on Mnet and Mnet Plus at 7 PM KST on March 20, followed by a simultaneous release at 8 PM KST on MODYSSEY official YouTube channel, BiliBili, and M2 YouTube. This multi-platform strategy ensures maximum accessibility for both Korean and international audiences, with the BiliBili release specifically targeting the Chinese market where several members have established fanbases.

A Global Stage Awaits

The timing of SAY SAY MODYSSEY premiere aligns with a period of accelerating momentum for the group. MODYSSEY was confirmed as part of the lineup for KCON JAPAN 2026, scheduled for May in Japan, marking their first appearance at the prestigious K-culture festival that has drawn a cumulative audience of over 2.23 million across 14 regions worldwide since its inception in 2012. The KCON stage will place them alongside established acts including P1Harmony, NiziU, and KISS OF LIFE, offering invaluable exposure to the Japanese market.

One member who has drawn particular public interest is Li Chen, who garnered widespread media attention as a descendant of Korean independence hero An Jung-geun. His participation in Planet C and subsequent selection for MODYSSEY became one of the most talked-about storylines of the survival show, adding a layer of historical and cultural significance to the group narrative.

As MODYSSEY prepares to step beyond the survival format that brought them together, SAY SAY MODYSSEY represents more than just another idol variety show. It is the next chapter in what industry observers are watching as a significant experiment in cross-border K-pop group management — one backed by major players on both sides of the Korea-China entertainment corridor. Whether the group can translate their survival show momentum into lasting variety entertainment appeal will become clear when cameras start rolling on March 20.