Idol survival show criticised for lookism and competition pressure
SEOUL: Mnet’s TV idol survival show “Produce 101: Season 2” has been growing in popularity since it aired the first episode on Apr. 7 with 101 trainees dreaming of becoming a K-pop boy band member.
However, the show has been strongly criticised for highlighting the dark side of Korean society.
As the show proceeded, some trainees have been voted out by viewers, whom the show calls “national producers.”
Before the show premiered, officials expected it to succeed because “viewers can decide with their own votes the trainees’ destiny.”
But some netizens suggested the show’s popularity feeds on the ugly side of Korean society: “look ism” and a competitiondriven atmosphere.
Lee Dae-hwi, a trainee who was a centre dancer in the first show, is considered the biggest victim of the show’s lookism. After the performance, online comments flooded in criticising his appearance, including “Please do not look at the camera, it is disgusting” and “It is undeniable fact that the guy is ugly.”
Lee apologised for his looks and said, “I understand that I am ugly too, but I will try my best” in the following episode.
It seems the participants’ looks also highly influenced the show’s weekly rankings.
Kwon Hyun-bin prided himself on his refined appearance and height in the first episode. But in an episode aired on Apr 28, netizens attacked him because they said he lacked dancing and singing ability. Despite the lacklustre performance, he managed to grab a comparatively high rank in the next episode - 23 out of 98.
The harsh atmosphere driving fierce competition also surfaced as another problem. Trainee Joo Hak-nyeon showed confidence and a bright attitude at first. But in the episode aired on May 12, Joo said with tears in his eyes and quaking hands: “Please help us, let us live. We did our best.”
The show’s first season also encountered strong criticism because of its lookism and competition.
But Koreans loved the winners of the show that featured 101 girls, who debuted as K-pop girl band I.O.I.
The band was even honoured with the Best New Artist award at the Melon Asian Music Awards and the Rookie Artist of the Year award at the Golden Disk Awards in 2016.
“We already know each participant’s characters and abilities thanks to the competition featured in the show,” a netizen said on web portal Daum. “Even though we say we hate it, we also know that it is enjoyable when it does not involve us.”
Another netizen said: “The level of competition-bound pressure has increased from the first season. I am worried about the trainees who will only become obsessed with the rankings and numbers in the end.”
The show’s last episode airs on June 16.
The level of competition-bound pressure has increased from the first season. I am worried about the trainees who will only become obsessed with the rankings and numbers in the end. – Netizen’s statement from web portal Daum