"Produce 101" has produced another controversy. After news of lower group trainees being discriminated spreading online, there's a report stated that trainees from Group F were interrogated and coerced to stay quiet about the recent scandal.
Recently, it was reported that the producing team of "Produce 101" Season 2 interrogated trainees to find out who was the source that has been spreading the news about discrimination. However, the team and staff of "Produce 101" stated that there was no coercion or interrogation regarding recent controversies. Instead, the producing team only demanded trainees to be more careful next time and check the fact before they talk to third-parties, Soompi reported.
On March 27, Mnet clarified that the grouping was not mean to discriminate the trainees. The producing team was also disappointed about the misleading news that has been surfacing. They promise to reduce misunderstandings among agencies. They also emphasized that the trainees should have an accurate understanding of the situation before jump into conclusion and tell third-parties who might get it wrong.
Meanwhile, a label said that Mnet can keep denying the discrimination ever happened but the trainees themselves have seen, felt and witnessed the dreadful experiences of being treated unfairly. The representative from a contestant's label also confirmed that the producing team has indeed forced the contestants not to spill any inside situations to an outsider.
Aside from "Produce 101" Season 2 discrimination scandal, a recent report revealed that trainee Kim Si Hyun from Choon Entertainment has decided to leave the program due to health issues. The trainee left the show the day before group performance filming. Previously, it was reported Kim Yong Guk, who's also from Choon Entertainment, had left the show. However, the agency clarified that Kim Yong Guk will continue to compete in "Produce 101" Season 2.
Kim Si Hyun is not the first contestant to leave before the show even officially airs. Han Jong Yeon has also departed from the show because of his controversial past. Now, "Produce 101" Season 2 has only 99 contestants instead of 101. "Produce 101" Season 2 will air its first episode on April 7.
