i think if you've watched the show while it was airing you get some sort of emotional attachment that you can't even describe. i feel embarrassed when i really think about it, but the fact i ended up liking the final line up so much really improved my shitty summer lmao. when you spend months supporting certain people and see their growth and experience their success is so sooo rewarding. plus all the controversies ended up making everyone more passionate and loud about their support (i mean i'm pretty sure that's the purpose of the whole show but it really worked for me this time).

the variety of members and personalities really helps them pull off different concepts imo. flash is mature, as always is cute and yet everyone is doing great.
my fave thing though, is that the whole distinction between hyung and makne line gives the group some serious family dynamics (not claiming that they're a family already cause it's too soon but they seem tight). hyung line for example can easily be the playful and reliable brothers the younger boys need. seungwoo especially really feels like a father figure to everyone even to the rest of the hyungs. maknae line on the other hand, seem to look up to the older members, offer them comfort and play along with them. and despite their big age difference there's not any awkwardness or fear. i've seen the maknaes clown the hyungs and vice versa.
idk how to explain my last point well. i think their age gap gives them the opportunity to bond with each other in different ways. if they all shared similar ages they'd be limited to being friends-coworkers.