Starship Entertainment's New Audition Draws Flak — Why Is WJSN Being Mentioned?

Fans were frustrated with the agency's newest endeavor.

Starship Entertainment may not be one of the "Big 4," but the agency is more popular than most small companies for producing successful K-pop acts such as MONSTA X, IVE, WJSN, SISTAR, and WJSN.

On social media, K-pop fans caught wind of Starship's announcement declaring an open audition for the upcoming project "2025 New Kids On The Starship."

🚀2025 NEW KIDS on the STARSHIP🚀#2025뉴키즈온더스타쉽 #2025NewKidsOnTheStarship #스타쉽 #STARSHIP pic.twitter.com/b0o81AYQSt
— STARSHIP Ent. (@STARSHIPent) July 7, 2024

The company also promoted the project by uploading the auditions of its artists such as IVE and CRAVITY.

🚀2025 NEW KIDS on the STARSHIP🚀

7월 8일,
스타쉽 보이그룹 프로젝트 오디션 사전 접수 OPEN❗

🔗사전 접수 URL
스타쉽 오디션 X 계정(@STARSHIP_ADT) 프로필 상단 참조

▶ https://t.co/SCl61eqfUM #2025뉴키즈온더스타쉽 #2025NewKidsOnTheStarship #스타쉽 #STARSHIP #IVE #아이브 pic.twitter.com/NBAbl5rhUR
— STARSHIP Ent. (@STARSHIPent) July 8, 2024

🚀2025 NEW KIDS on the STARSHIP🚀

7월 8일,
스타쉽 보이그룹 프로젝트 오디션 사전 접수 OPEN❗

🔗사전 접수 URL
스타쉽 오디션 X 계정(@STARSHIP_ADT) 프로필 상단 참조

▶ https://t.co/ne2HlcsHoX #2025뉴키즈온더스타쉽 #2025NewKidsOnTheStarship #스타쉽 #STARSHIP #CRAVITY #크래비티 pic.twitter.com/3UmzHgQCTp
— STARSHIP Ent. (@STARSHIPent) July 8, 2024

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However, fans called out the agency for having the nerve to use WJSN's audition clips amid the group's lack of comebacks, activities, and overall presence in the K-pop scene.

"First of all, give us WJSN group comeback. It's been TWO YEARS since their last comeback."

"Focus on your current idols first. give WJSN a comeback."

"Hi what about WJSN?"

"Girl, we want WJSN."

"Oh, we are never getting WJSN back."

"Just give WJSN group comebacks before doing any other things."

"Maybe care about the group that's debuted already first? WJSN?"

"Okay good luck with your project for finding new kids but give us WJSN comeback, it's also it's been two years."

"What about WJSN and CRAVITY? Don't joke, just leave them to better company and then do what do you want."

"You guys have a time to do a new project but don't have time for WJSN's comeback?"

"We need WJSN comeback on stage now!"

Shameless as hell because how are you going to advertise them as idols to attract new trainees while simultaneously not letting them release music for over 2 years

700 DAYS WITHOUT WJSN#WJSN_STAGEBACK_NOW #우주소녀_칠백일_공백기 https://t.co/yMd8CiC4sy
— m🫧♡̶ (@misanujung) July 8, 2024

how about you give group her a comeback? #WJSN_STAGEBACK_NOW #우주소녀_칠백일_공백기 https://t.co/A6hTgsR63m
— t♡̶ (@eunsoobs) July 8, 2024

you sickos really have no shame https://t.co/MLWfOaQfsU
— kacey ♡̶’s bona 🔺 (@bonatheworld) July 8, 2024

not you only using wjsn for audition advertisement video this is like a scam bcs you don't even try to promote the group at all 😒 https://t.co/zqSNZuCL9E
— ♡̶🧸 (@yeonjungnim) July 8, 2024

the quotes and replies FULL of wjsn and asking for a wjsn comeback. starship you have fucked up Big time https://t.co/OBYbkYKRAv
— ella ♡̶ (@ludawoniric) July 7, 2024

oh please you can’t even manage the groups you already have where are wjsn?? https://t.co/EQkxzCJDdg
— p.🦋 (@dreaminwithsel) July 7, 2024

bitch give us WJSN first https://t.co/ZE4yivHH6G
— 엘루🦕 (@withludas) July 7, 2024

girl we don’t want this where is wjsn??? https://t.co/JCSzeMQQ5s
— j ♡ (@savewjsn) July 9, 2024

Meanwhile, some criticized Starship for its approach in attracting trainees and expressed that showing WJSN, a group the agency has mistreated, might backfire.

It's so crazy that SSE thought showing off that the artists they had under them since they were little kids that currently haven't had a cb for 2 whole years would drive kids to audition for their fuckass new bg...... Focus on promoting them first, not using them for promotion! https://t.co/pL2BfmMmIJ
— ☁️ (@idealtypegirl) July 8, 2024

I feel like if you want people to audition for your company reminding them of the group you treat like shit isn’t the way to go 😭 https://t.co/uaAzfDu51S
— Ujung Hotline operator (@FuIIMoonMP3) July 8, 2024

this is so foul have you no absolute shame??? still using wuju for your own gain instead of treating them like the artist they are and this is false advertising because this is a open audition for boys only. burn in hell https://t.co/9Bp6GNVG0b
— ♡̶ coyote ᱬ (@wjsntho) July 8, 2024

Advertising auditions for your company with the girls whose group you left in the basement with no signs of a comeback for like 2 years is an interesting choice https://t.co/UWJeqs0CT9
— N♡︎⁷ 🤍 (@cloudyyjun) July 8, 2024

using wjsn to cast more trainees without giving them a comeback is so diabolical https://t.co/PJpfalieDN
— ♡̶ (@cosmiczaka) July 8, 2024