Girls Planet 999 releases interim rankings, sends shockwaves through fanbase

Just days before the finale of girl group show 'Girls Planet 999', Mnet has revealed the current Top 9 ranking and 'shocking' doesn't do the reaction justice.

On October 15, 'Girls Planet 999' held its semi-final round, which saw just 18 contestants survive to the finale. The episode also brought with it a new Top 9 ranking: Shen Xiaoting in 1st place, Kim Dayeon in 2nd place, Sakamoto Mashiro in 3rd place.

Just three Korean contestants had made it to the Top 9, with the remaining split being two trainees from C-Group and four from J-Group. Shockingly, this turns the previous ranking’s group split on its head, with a staggering eight out of nine Top 9 contestants being Korean trainees.

Unsurprisingly, across social media, numerous viewers were shocked to see the rankings change so significantly. While some of these changes can be accounted for by the new voting system, many fans also think that viewer voting tactics could be having an effect.

For example, with Shen Xiaoting ranking 1st for three weeks and never leaving the Top 3 since the show’s first elimination round, fans believe many have seen her as a “safe” contestant who was guaranteed to get enough votes to debut. As such, fans say, some viewers have been voting for their less popular second-favorite candidate instead.

This interim ranking reveal is likely to have a major effect on how viewers are voting, which means the final lineup could mark another dramatic change in rankings. The Girls Planet 999 live finale, in which the lineup will be determined, will air on Friday, October 22, available for free viewing on Mnet’s YouTube channel and the iQIYI app.