"Girls Planet 999" is being criticized for their alleged "manipulative" behavior and discrimination against Kim Dayeon, a Korean contestant.
Keep on reading to know more.
'Girls Planet 999' Vocal Master Lim Han Byul Reveals They Purposely Kept Kim Dayeon Out of Top 9
Mnet's new reality survival program, "Girls Planet 999," had begun airing, with contestants competing for a chance to debut in the show's final group lineup. Despite Mnet being embroiled in a scandal of manipulating votes in their past survival shows, "Girls Planet 999" continues to be popular among viewers.
However, following the airing of a new episode on August 20, "Girls Planet 999" is being criticized for their alleged "manipulative" behavior and reverse discrimination.
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In the third episode, one of the two Korean teams presented their cover of BLACKPINK's "How You Like That" to the mentors for evaluation. While all of the trainees in the group were highly praised by the mentors, Kim Dayeon, a trainee from Jellyfish Entertainment, surprised the mentors the most with her talent and stage presence.
Kim Dayeon had previously ranked first during the show's signal song competition and was able to take the center position.
After the group's "How You Like That" performance, vocal master Lim Han Byul comments on Kim Dayeon's skills, stating that "she showed why she got first place."
However, his comment after that is what started gaining attention from viewers, and may have exposed the reverse discrimination going on in the show.
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Lim Han Byul comments, "We kept you out of Top 9 on purpose."
According to Lim Han Byul, the reason they purposely kept her out of the Top 9 ranking was that she'd "get there [Top 9] regardless."
Lim Han Byul's comment hints that they chose another contestant to replace Kim Dayeon for a spot in the Top 9, while Kim Dayeon had the skills to deserve a place in the top ranking, just because they felt she would get in the ranking at the end.
'Girls Planet 999' Criticized for Alleged Discrimination Against Kim Dayeon
After the revelation that she actually deserved to be in the Top 9, Kim Dayeon burst into tears and apologized for getting emotional.
"K Group was the only group that the first wasn't selected for the planet Top 9. I felt so much pressure from it, so what you said touched me," explained Kim Dayeon.
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Sunmi, who is one of the K-Pop masters, also praised Kim Dayeon's skills. "Honestly speaking, you're the most reliable in singing and dancing on this team. You did a great job," said Sunmi.
Despite the overflowing praise Kim Dayeon received from the mentors, viewers couldn't help but feel that Kim Dayeon being purposely kept out of the Top 9 was an act of reverse discrimination, especially considering that the panel of mentors on the show are all Korean.
Since the release of the episode, netizens have shared their thoughts on the alleged reverse discrimination on multiple online communities and have criticized Mnet for their "manipulative" behavior once again.
Following Mnet's scandal over manipulating votes during the "Produce" series, the broadcasting station's credibility on audition programs have turned sour, and the mentors' admission to keeping Kim Dayeon out of Top 9 on purpose may only worsen it.
What are your thoughts on the issue?
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Written by Robyn Joan
