Wanna One Reunion Reality Show Confirmed for 2026! 🎉 But Will It Be the Full Eleven? The Lai Kuanlin Question Looms 😬

The wait is finally over for Wannables worldwide! After nearly **seven years** since their heartbreaking disbandment, the iconic project group **Wanna One** is officially reuniting for a new reality program, slated for release in the **first half of 2026**. This highly anticipated news, confirmed by **CJ ENM** officials to Star News, sent shockwaves through the K-pop community, promising a much-needed dose of nostalgia and fresh chemistry from the beloved eleven-member act.

Mnet, the network behind their formation, has been meticulously preparing for this grand comeback, aiming to deliver a reality show experience that Wannables cherished most during their active days. The announcement was subtly teased on **New Year’s Day**, **January 1st**, via an Mnet YouTube video titled “2026 Coming Soon We Meet Again,” featuring the poignant message, “we GO again.” While specific details regarding the program’s format and broadcast schedule are yet to be revealed, the sheer thought of seeing **Wanna One** back on screen has already ignited immense excitement.

Formed through Mnet’s intensely popular survival program **”Produce 101 Season 2″** in **2017**, **Wanna One** quickly captivated the hearts of the nation, transcending typical idol fandoms to garner widespread appeal, even among those in their 40s and beyond. Their reign, though brief, was nothing short of legendary. From their debut until their official disbandment on **December 31, 2018**, with a final concert in **January 2019**, the group cemented their status as a K-pop phenomenon, often hailed alongside **EXO** and **BTS** as the “Big Three” of their era.

Their impact on the K-pop landscape was indelible, marked by an impressive list of achievements:

• ⭐ First male idol group to achieve **100 million streams** with a debut song.
• ⭐ First male idol group to reach **100 million views** on a debut music video.
• ⭐ First act ever to have all title tracks debut at **number 1 on Melon**.
• ⭐ Achieved **million-seller status** by selling **1 million albums** just **101 days** after debut.
• ⭐ Two out of their five title tracks surpassed **100 million streams**.
• ⭐ Made history by holding their debut showcase at **Gocheok Dome**, selling out **20,000 seats**.
• ⭐ Swept the **2017 Rookie Grand Slam**.
• ⭐ Accumulated a total of **101 awards**.
• ⭐ Starred in over **30 group advertisements**.

Fans’ fervent wish for a reunion finally materialized in **December 2021**, roughly **three years** after their disbandment, when **Wanna One** graced the stage of the **”2021 Mnet ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS (MAMA)”** with electrifying performances of “Energetic” and “Burn It Up.” However, much like that highly anticipated appearance, the upcoming reality show is likely to proceed without all eleven members, specifically **Lai Kuanlin**.

The former member has been notably absent from the Korean entertainment scene, with reports suggesting his retirement. After **Wanna One’s** activities concluded, **Lai Kuanlin** returned to his former agency, **Cube Entertainment**, but soon initiated legal proceedings to terminate his contract. He subsequently began solo activities in the Chinese-speaking world, where he became embroiled in controversy for expressing support for the Hong Kong police during the 2019 pro-democracy protests and participating in China’s National Day events despite his Taiwanese background.

By **June 2021**, **Lai Kuanlin** announced a career shift, stating he would pursue film directing, even releasing a short film titled “Fight Between Winter and Summer” earlier that year. His official accounts were then handed over to staff. More recently, in **November 2024**, he was spotted at an exchange event hosted by the Taiwanese Presidential Office, seated alongside political figures like Director-General of the Mainland Affairs Council **Sung Tao**, fueling speculation about a potential foray into politics.

**Lee Daehwi** openly addressed the situation last September on the YouTube channel “Donghaemul and Baekdu Eunhyuk,” revealing, “There’s a **Wanna One** group chat. Seongwoon hyung and Minhyun hyung talk a lot.” He then mused, “What is Kuanlin up to these days? He’s a drama director. He announced his retirement from entertainment. I was surprised by the news. We need to reunite, but then news of his retirement came out.”

The **2026** timeframe is crucial, marking the “golden time” for a reunion, as the older members — **Yoon Jisung**, **Ha Sungwoon**, **Hwang Minhyun**, **Ong Seongwu**, and **Kim Jaehwan** — have all completed their mandatory military service, while the younger members — **Kang Daniel**, **Park Jihoon**, **Park Woojin**, **Bae Jinyoung**, and **Lee Daehwi** — have yet to enlist. However, even this window is incredibly tight, as **Kang Daniel**, born in **1996**, has indicated plans to enlist in the **latter half of 2025**. This leaves a narrow window of just a few months within **2026** for the members to come together.

Despite the challenges of a complete reunion, **Hello Korea** can’t wait to see what incredible chemistry and unforgettable moments **Wanna One** will bring to the screen, **seven years** after their disbandment and **four years** after their last MAMA performance.

The return of Wanna One is a powerful reminder of the enduring magic of K-pop, proving that true artistry and connection always find a way back to the fans. It’s a beautiful moment for Wannables to reconnect with the energy that once ignited their world.

Editor: Emily Park ✨

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