[Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Unauthorized Photos and Hidden Camera]
Kimberley Chen, a former JYP USA trainee and artist, revealed how "Produce 101" China staff mistreated the trainees, and what's worse is that they even recorded them while undressing.
Recently, the Taiwan-based singer who used to be an artist under JYP Entertainment USA, confessed the shocking behind-the-scenes occurrences that happened between "Produce 101" trainees and staff members while she was competing in the show.
In particular, "Produce 101 China" is a spinoff of its Korean version with the same name. Kimberley Chen then narrated that she joined the show after receiving an invitation from the show.
To gain the interest of the Chinese market, she became a trainee of the "Produce 101 China" and even got an A+ on her audition, the highest rank.
However, despite popularity, she didn't capture the hearts of Chinese netizens and viewers, finishing the show at No. 26.
Kimberley Chen Disclosed "Produce 101" Staff Recorded Them Changing Clothes + Mistreatment
Upon joining the show, Kimberley said that their phones were confiscated for four months, not allowing them to use them, and they felt like the staff members are unreasonable.
However, aside from prohibiing them to use cellphones, the trainees were also filmed 24-hours in their rooms - in which bathrooms are the only areas where no cameras were installed.
One time, the singer was undressing her clothes and decided to cover the cameras using her hat.
Shockingly, the staff called her out about what she did with the cameras and asked, "Do you think it's fun?"
Flustered, Kimberley answered, "Do you think seeing the bodies of young girls is fun?"
However, a week later, a clip of a trainee changing in a room was aired, and when she tried to stand for the other trainees, she was told to keep quiet.
Kimberley Chen's image then was a rebellious trainee, which affected her exposure in the show, eventually leading to her early elimination.
This is not the first time that an artist was secretly recorded by a staff. Prior to this news, Nancy of MOMOLAND became a victim of illegal filming and manipulation of her photos, but it was too late when documents of her undressing circulated on the web.
MLD Entertainment, the agency of the group, already announced that they sued everyone who became a medium spread the photos online.
Also Read: MOMOLAND Nancy's Agency Drops Statement after Idol's Undressing Photos Leaked + AAA Organizers' Side
Kimberley Chen Described Her Experience as a Trainee, Artist under JYP Entertainment
Kimberley Chen, who rose fo popularity after releasing her debut track "爱你" in 2012, used to be under JYP Entertainment. Because she can speak English, she was sent to JYP headquarters in New York.
Though she didn't release an album while under the agency, she was listed in the roster of artists under JYP Entertainment. She eventually received an offer from Taiwan, leaving the company after seven months.
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Written by Eunice Dawson
