I think more people anticipated in iland s2 than gp999. For example, the iland series not even started yet but their followers on twitter already half of million while gp999 stuck at hundred thousand plus.
The hype they received bigger than gp999 from what I can see.
Tbh, I think mnet probably should wait after this series done because it can kill the hype of gp999 received now even it will air next year. A lot of fans already the way gp999 being handle and the massive elimination so, many of them stop supporting the show.
Tbh, I hope gp999 can survive well as a lot of big companies gg will debuting and they might being forgotten just like that.
*Note:
People might not realize this but gp999 situation now not same as produce. Mnet cannot rigged vote and currently only 2 k-trainees in top 9. Koreans would not giving their support if this keep going until the final line up. That's why mnet trying to evil editing C-trainees. They have no local agency in either China or Japan to promote them like pd48. China currently changing their rules about their entertainment industry making them cannot promote there freely like before. They have no market left for them if you really think about that. Not even a support from big agency at least like what Iland have.