Idol Planet (100 Idols) is Sunbeesoft’s uncompromising vision of K-pop stardom, where every choice carries weight.
Idol Planet Launched globally in December 2024, this management sim goes beyond typical idol games by blending ruthless business strategy with authentic creative control.
What separates it from competitors? Three pillars: Unprecedented customization (design co-ed groups never seen in real K-pop), AI driven personalities (idols develop spontaneous friendships or feuds), and motion-captured choreography using moves from actual industry choreographers. Whether you’re scheduling a Japan focused cute concept or managing a dating scandal between your top stars, the game mirrors the high stakes world of K-pop without sugarcoating its challenges.
The Idol Universe: Building Your Empire
Recruitment & Training: Talent Isn’t Enough
Scouting uses a three tier system:
- Diamond Trainees (5% spawn rate): Excel in one skill (e.g., main vocal material) but lack balance
- All-Rounders (20%): Decent across vocals, dance, and charm your reliable workhorses
- Projects (75%): Require intensive training but may hide unique traits like “Stage Fear” (cripples live performances)
Training isn’t just clicking buttons. Vocal lessons improve range but drain stamina, while dance practices risk injury if pushed too hard. The “Intelligence” stat matters more than you’d think smarter idols learn choreography faster and handle variety shows better.
Mixed-Gender Innovation: Breaking Industry Taboos
While real K-pop remains segregated, Idol Planet lets you create groundbreaking co-ed groups. The catch? You’ll face:
- 30% harder public approval checks
- “Dating Scandal” probability doubled
- But… 50% more viral potential when concepts work
The risk/reward system encourages daring combinations imagine a hip hop unit with a female rapper and male dancers dominating the charts.
Global Ambitions: Localization Isn’t Optional
Each market demands tailored strategies:
- Japan: Cute concepts (+20% album sales) but requires fluency training
- USA: “Authentic” hip hop image crucial idols with acting skills thrive here
- SEA: Viral TikTok challenges matter more than music show wins
Regional events like “KCON Collabs” test your ability to pivot strategies mid game.
Idol Planet Gameplay: From Trainee to Superstar
Daily Management: The Grind Behind Glamour
Your schedule screen will become a warzone:
- Golden Hour (6-8AM): Optimal time for vocal training (15% efficiency boost)
- Variety Show Prep: Assign witty idols to boost group popularity, but risk exposing weak members
- Rest Critical: Skip two rest periods in a row, and idols may “accidentally” oversleep during comebacks
Stress manifests in unexpected ways an overworked idol might snap at fans during a meet and greet, permanently damaging their reputation.
Creative Control: More Than Just Picking Songs
Album production involves:
- Concept Matching: Girl crush songs with ballet-trained idols get “Artistic Vision” bonuses
- Choreography Costs: Complex routines increase practice time but wow awards shows
- Promo Strategy: Focus on YouTube? Music shows? Or TikTok challenges for younger demos?
Dorm customization goes beyond aesthetics:
- Gaming PCs boost morale for “e-sports idol” types
- Shared kitchens spark impromptu cooking VLIVE content
- Bunk beds vs. single rooms affect relationship development
Competition & Events: Prove Your Mettle
The monthly “Network Face Off” works like real music show elections:
- Bribe producers (with in game currency) for better timeslots
- Sabotage rivals by leaking “scandals” (if you’ve invested in PR skills)
- Last-minute choreo changes can backfire spectacularly
Idol sports days aren’t just fun they’re crucial for:
- Revealing hidden stats (an idol with high stamina might ace marathon dances)
- Unlocking “Teamwork” buffs that improve concert synchronization
Idol Planet Features That Shine
AI Personalities: Idols With Agency
The game’s neural network creates startlingly real behaviors:
- Shy idols might freeze during live broadcasts unless paired with confident members
- Ambitious trainees could secretly take extra lessons, risking injury
- Romantic relationships form organically, affecting group chemistry (good for ballads, bad for “pure” concepts)
Motion Capture Magic
Sunbeesoft partnered with:
- BBTrippin’ (ATEEZ’s choreographers) for intense performance moves
- Lee Jung (TWICE’s trainer) for cute but precise gestures
Each style impacts training difficulty idols struggle to switch between concepts.
Live Performances: Expect the Unexpected
Concerts aren’t scripted:
- Mics cut out during high notes
- Dancers miss positions during complex formations
- Encore demands test stamina (fainting idols trend on social media for better or worse)
Aesthetics & Atmosphere
Art Style: Distinct Without Caricature
Characters avoid “same face” syndrome through:
- Signature Features: Big eyes aren’t enough look for moles, unique jawlines, or resting expressions
- Idol Auras: Visual types glow subtly during photoshoots, while rappers have sharper animations
Soundtrack: Beyond Generic K-Pop
Original tracks span:
- Bright Pop: Think early GFRIEND with richer instrumentals
- Moody R&B: Perfect for showcasing vocalists
- Experimental: Genre-blends that risk alienating fans but may create trends
UI/UX: Built for Multitasking
The “Producer Mode” streamlines:
- One-tap switching between trainee dossiers
- Drag-and-drop schedule adjustments
- Real-time profit/loss tracking during comebacks
Community & Competition: The Battle for Stardom
The true test of any idol producer isn’t just crafting stars it’s outpacing rivals in Idol Planet’s cutthroat ecosystem.
Leaderboard Wars: More Than Just Popularity Votes
Top-ranked players don’t just spam promotions they exploit game mechanics:
- Vote Stacking: Save “Fan Meeting” events for election weeks to convert casual fans into voters.
- Time Zone Gaming: Schedule comebacks during low-competition hours (3-5 AM UTC) for easier wins.
- Sabotage Meta: Leak “scandals” about rival groups 24 hours before voting ends (if you’ve unlocked the PR skill tree).
The current #1 player (StarMaker_Jin) revealed their strategy: rotating three mini-groups to dominate different regions, ensuring constant leaderboard presence.
Fan Creations: When Players Outshine Devs
TikTok’s #IdolPlanetDorms showcases jaw-dropping designs:
- A 1:1 replica of NewJeans’ minimalist dorm, complete with retro gaming consoles.
- “HYBE Dungeon” memes windowless rooms packed with bunk beds (a dark joke about trainee life).
- Functional “variety show sets” where idols autonomously recreate Knowing Bros skits.
Sunbeesoft now features top designs in monthly “Producer’s Pick” updates, awarding creators exclusive wallpaper sets.
Developer Engagement: Listening to the Fandom
The Producer Notes newsletters go beyond patch notes:
- June 2025: Reduced stress penalties after fan protests over “unrealistic” burnout rates.
- August 2025: Added non-binary gender options following player petitions.
- October 2025: Fixed the infamous “vocal stat decay” bug that made main vocalists regress after 50+ uses.
The Discord Q&As reveal tantalizing teases dataminers found code for “acting careers” and “military enlistment” mechanics in future updates.
Critiques & Considerations: The Dark Side of Stardom
For all its brilliance, Idol Planet has controversies that even loyal players debate.
Monetization: Pay-to-Shine?
The $14.99 Global Star Pack sparked outrage for:
- Giving 3-star trainees instant 5 star stats (bypassing months of grinding).
- Locking “concept skins” (like emo punk or royalcore) behind a paywall.
- Creating a leaderboard divide top 100 is 80% pack buyers.
Sunbeesoft’s compromise? Free players can now grind “Producer Tokens” (50 hours ≈ one pack) through events.
Grind Fatigue: When the Magic Fades
Post-100 hours, gameplay loops become transparent:
- Training: Same five mini-games, just with higher numbers.
- Combacks: Identical promo cycles (music show → fan sign → VLIVE).
- Dorms: Decor options plateau unless you pay for “Luxury Furniture” sets.
Modders have created “Auto Train” scripts a telling sign of burnout.
Localization Issues: Lost in Translation
Non-Korean players report:
- English tooltips calling dance moves “spinny jumps” instead of pirouettes.
- German translations mixing formal/informal speech, making idols sound rude.
- Brazilian Portuguese menus truncating stat names (“Char” instead of “Charisma”).
The community’s band aid solution? A player run wiki with corrected terminology.
Pro Tips for Aspiring Producers
Early Game: Work Smarter, Not Harder
- All-Rounders > Specialists: A B+ vocal/dance trainee outperforms an A+/D- “main vocal” in the long run.
- Exploit Freebies: Daily “Scouting Tickets” at 12PM KST have higher 4-star rates.
- Ignore Aesthetics Early: Basic dorms are fine invest in training equipment first.
Mid Game: Staff Are Your Secret Weapon
- Vocal Coaches: Reduce training time by 20%, but cost 50,000 won/month.
- Stylists: Unlock “Concept Synergy” bonuses (e.g., school uniforms + bubblegum pop = +15% fan growth).
- Lawyers: Cut “scandal” damage by half crucial for co-ed groups.
End Game: The Hype Cycle
- Solo Debuts: Send your ace on variety shows to attract new fans to the group.
- Sub-Units: A hip-hop duo can keep momentum during main group hiatuses.
- Strategic Hiatuses: Let idols “study abroad” (3-month breaks) to reset stress and avoid overexposure.
Versus Competitors: Idol Planet’s Edge
| Feature | Idol Planet | Idol Queens | BTS Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Freedom | Mixed-gender + solo | Female-only | BTS members only |
| AI Complexity | Idols date, feud, quit | Scripted storylines | None |
| Customization | Dorms, concepts, merch | Outfits + hair | Pre-decorated rooms |
| Monetization | Pay-to-skip grind | Cosmetic-only | Story unlocks |
Killer Feature:
The Scandal System isn’t just drama it’s strategic. A leaked “dating rumor” can:
- Tank a pure-concept group’s sales.
- But boost a mature group’s appeal (see: “Bad Boy” image reboots).
Final Verdict: Brutal, Beautiful, and Unapologetically Real
Pros:
- Depth Over Fanservice: The AI makes idols feel alive they’ll surprise you with breakdowns or breakthroughs.
- Authentic K-Pop Simulation: From music show politics to “visual” member privileges, it doesn’t shy from industry truths.
- Creative Freedom: Want a co-ed group covering EXO’s songs in punk versions? Go wild.
Cons:
- Paywalled Progress: The $14.99 pack creates a leaderboard caste system.
- Repetition: Needs more late-game surprises (e.g., trainee lawsuits, company takeovers).
Idol Planet (100 Idols) doesn’t just simulate stardom it forces you to confront the ethical compromises behind every glittering success. Whether that’s your idea of fun depends on how badly you want that “Producer of the Year” trophy.
FAQ
Where can I get Idol Planet (100 Idols)?
Download on Google Play Store or App Store.
Is Idol Planet 100 Idols download free?
Yes, with optional in-app purchases. Pre-registration rewards (like exclusive trainees) may still be available.
Can I play offline?
Basic training modes work offline, but elections/events require internet to sync with global leaderboards.
Why do some idols underperform?
Check stress levels and relationships overworked idols or group conflicts cause stat drops.